Dr. Allison Bryant

Dr. Allison Bryant, 78, died on June 26, 2021 at his home in Rockville, MD.  The fifth of six children, Allison was born December 13, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA, to Wallace Bryant, Sr. and Lottie Marie Watkins Bryant.

Allison attended H. J. Widener Elementary School, Stoddart Fleisher Junior High School, and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School for Boys in 1960.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (HBCU) in 1964, his Master’s in Urban Studies from Southern Connecticut University in 1970, and his Doctorate in Educational Administration and Management from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977. He was Owner and Principal of The Assignment Group, a Rockville, MD, consulting management firm, which he founded in 1982.

Throughout his professional career, Allison was an enthusiastic supporter of forward thinking activities within Montgomery County.  He served as a Commissioner for the Montgomery County Park and Planning/Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for eleven years and was a Founding Trustee of Strathmore Hall Foundation, a non-profit organization, in Bethesda, MD.  His contributions as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Appeals, a Trustee of the Maryland College of Art and Design, and a member of the Advisory Board to the Salvation Army of Montgomery County, led to his selection to the 1999 Class of Leadership Montgomery and the 2000 Class of Leadership Maryland.

Allison’s passion for helping marginalized communities, mentoring young people, and being involved in civic organizations was evident in the career and personal choices he made.  As an educator, he brought history to life for his secondary students at Strawberry Mansion Middle School, in Philadelphia, and his university students valued his insight on the tenets of management and organizational development at University College, University of Maryland; Southeastern University (D.C); and John Hopkins University.  Allison was proud to hold a lifetime membership in the NAACP, and he was equally proud of the close friendships he fostered over 26 years ago as a founding member of the Men’s Book and Gourmet Group.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Allison became a member of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, where he was baptized at an early age, attended Sunday school, and participated in the church’s youth activities.  Wherever Allison and Clara lived, they attended a local congregation and were always involved in the life of the church.  Allison was actively involved in the founding of Pathways Baptist Church, in Gaithersburg, MD, where he continued to serve the congregation by his participation on numerous committees, classes and small groups.

Allison is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Clara B. Bryant, and daughters, Allison Nicole and Jasmine.  He is also survived by one brother, Wesley Bryant; three sisters-in-law, Rose Curry, Verdelle Barksdale, and Carolyn Bryant; multi-generational nieces and nephews; other family members; and an army of friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Pathways Baptist Church, 200 West Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.  The service will also be streamed live on Pathways' website (https://www.pathwaysbc.org/).  A repast will follow immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Allison’s name to the following organizations:   

Mid-County United Ministries (MUM)

Dr. Allison Bryant strongly supported the work of Mid-County United Ministries (MUM), whose mission is to help people in crisis in the Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, Rockville and Aspen Hill communities with food, medicine, eviction prevention and utilities, emphasizing client choice, problem-solving and self-sufficiency.   If you would like to make a contribution to MUM in Allison’s memory please visit www.mumhelp.org and click on the “Donate” tab, you can leave special instructions that your donation is in honor of Dr. Allison Bryant.  You can also mail a check to MUM at P.O. Box 1924, Silver Spring, MD 20915-1901.  Please note in the memo line your donation is in honor of Dr. Allison Bryant.

Strathmore Hall Foundation

Several years ago Strathmore launched Bloom, an initiative that comprises numerous programs designed to ensure access to the arts for everyone. From our annual student concerts for every 2nd and 5th grader to our immersive strings programs for middle and high school aged students to our Step Up classes that expose students to the art of step dancing, these Bloom initiatives are offered free of charge or at significantly reduced rates.  If you would like to make a contribution to Strathmore in Dr. Bryant’s memory, please visit https://secure.strathmore.org/donate/contribute1 and select "Tribute Gift" from the drop down menu and include a notation in memory of Dr. Allison Bryant, then select "Bloom: Education and Community programs" as the designation.  You can also mail a check to Strathmore Hall Foundation at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Attention: Heidi Onkst, North Bethesda, MD 20952.  Please include notation that the gift is in memory of Dr. Allison Bryant. For questions or additional information, please email donors@strathmore.org or call 301.581.5145.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney University National Alumni Association

P.O. Box 288, Westtown, PA 19395

Attention: Scholarship Fund

Make checks payable to: Cheyney University National Alumni Scholarship Fund. Please include in the memo line your donation is in loving memory of Dr. Allison Bryant, “Class of 1964”

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