John D. O'Bryant

John Donaldson O'Bryant (July 15, 1931 – July 3, 1992) was the first African American to be elected to the Boston School Committee, being elected in 1977.

He spent most of his adult life working in the school systems, first as a school teacher and ending with work at Northeastern University until his death in 1992. O'Bryant was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

The John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science in Boston is named after him, as is the John D. O'Bryant Center for African American Studies at Northeastern University.

Early life and education O'Bryant was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 15, 1931. He directed paramedical training programs for students in all areas of Boston. He held this position from 1969 to 1978 before taking on his role at Northeastern University.

During O'Bryant's first year at Northeastern in 1978, he was the Associate Dean of Administration before becoming the vice president of student affairs. In 1979 Kenneth G. Ryder, president of Northeastern, appointed O'Bryant as Vice President of Student Affairs. The two had met while serving on the Citywide Coordinating Council. O'Bryant helped welcome more African Americans to the Northeastern community.

Boston School Committee In 1977, O'Bryant became the first African American to be elected to the Boston School Committee in 75 years. While he was the president of the school committee he was also serving as the national chairman of the Council of Urban School Boards of Education of the National School Boards Association. Before running for the school committee, he helped run the campaign for Mel King in 1959 and 1961. King suggested O'Bryant run for the committee in upcoming races because of his ideas and opinions.