A lifelong Charlottesville resident, James Bryant is a graduate and a long-time employee of Charlottesville City Schools. He retired from the schools in 2016 with 39 years of experience in public education, and has remained active in the community. his professional memberships have included the Virginia School Counselor Association, Virginia Education Association, Charlottesville Education Association, and the National Education Association (Lifetime Member). Locally, He has served on the 10th and Page Street Task Force and the 10th and Page Street Neighborhood Association, and he previously partnered on projects with MACAA, the African American Teaching Fellows, Upward Bound, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, and more. He is serving on the School Board because he wants to represent the students, parents, teachers, support staff, and other stakeholders. He said It is his honor to continue to assist and support the superintendent and other Board members in making Charlottesville City Schools a model school district.