tribute: Pittsburgh pays homage to their departed legend who has gone…
An icon was Jean Bryant.
Bryant was a trailblazing journalist, novelist, and activist who was renowned for her majesty, grace, infectious smile, and unforgettable laugh.
Though her work as a journalist in Pittsburgh received widespread recognition, those closest to Bryant felt that her work with young people was her greatest achievement. In 1973, Bryant established the Miss Black Teenage Pageant, and in 1993, he founded Mr. African American.
According to her former coworker LaMont Jones, “she made everyone feel like they mattered, had value, had worth, and had potential.” “I saw her carry that out. She’s my mama from Pittsburgh. She was unable to go anyplace and remain unnoticed.
While undergoing recovery from a fall at the North Hills Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bryant passed away on Wednesday. She was ninety-one.
In addition to being a wonderful friend, cousin, and neighbor, she served as a sort of godmother to Pittsburgh’s Black community and the city at large. Many have commented that what would be missed most is her spirit
According to Jones, Bryant had a knack with words that could not be taught.
Bryant was born on July 1, 1932, in Roselle, New Jersey. She shared a twin name, Betty, with her sister. After completing her education at Abraham High School, she raised her four sons in Orange, New Jersey; they have all predeceased her.
She began her journalism career at Afro-American in New Jersey. Located in Newark, New Jersey, it was a part of the biggest newspaper network owned by Black people from the 1930s to the 1960s. Bryant campaigned for her first byline while working as an advertisement salesperson at the newspaper.
Jones stated, “She wrote it and gave it to the (editor), who was really strict. After that, he published it and hardly changed a word.” And that’s how she got started
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