Around the Banks: Dorothy L. Bryant

I first met her in the fall of 1970 and I was immediately stricken by her mellifluous speaking voice—each word, each syllable pronounced with precision. She reminded me a lot of the famous lead singer, Diana Ross, of the then popular Motown group, The Supremes. With that indefinable and capricious quality that transcended charisma and style, she had all of us in the palm of her hand from the first day of class. She shattered a preconceived idea held by some people of what African American teachers and educational professionals might be. You see, this was the beginning of racial desegregation of the schools, now over 50 years ago. It's hard to believe, even as I write this article. Sh