Mildred Bryant Jones

Mildred Bryant Jones (16 November 1887 – 15 February 1966) was an African American musician and teacher, an officer of the National Association of Negro Musicians, and a friend of W. E. B. Du Bois, who was said to have had 'a special passion and admiration' for her. She was the first African American appointed as Director of Music at Wendell Phillips High School, Chicago, and an influence on a number of significant figures while there, including Harold Washington and Timuel Black.

Life Mildred Bryant was born in Macon, Georgia, to Henrietta (née Smith) and Champion Bryant. She was educated at Fisk University, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Northwestern University. In 1928, she earned a doctorate in music from the National University of Music, Chicago. Later, she was told that she had failed the examination, and when this was challenged told that the papers had been destroyed. Her pupils at Wendell Phillips included gospel singer and pianist Roberta Martin, singer and teacher Maurice Cooper, and jazz and operatic singer William Franklin. Another student, Dan Burley, described the dedication of the staff at Wendell Phillips High School, singling out Bryant Jones in particular. He recalled how these 'extraordinary' teachers taught an 'all black student body... to appreciate our musical background, while they prepared us to go out into the world and make our own way in it.' They were described as the best choir 'that has ever sung in Chicago schools,' and the performance as the 'most thrilling' and 'the outstanding feature of the entire show.' In 1940, she obtained her PhD in history on the same subject.

Bryant Jones died in 1966.

Personal life Bryant Jones was a Catholic.