DURHAM, NC, April 23, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dione E. Bryant has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mrs. Bryant has established herself as a tri-vocational professional whose career is marked by entrepreneurship, community service and a steadfast commitment to early childhood education. As the owner, operator and director of Growing Legacy Early Learning Center since 2018, she has dedicated over 18 years to advancing the field of early childhood education and program development. Under Mrs. Bryant's leadership, the center now serves approximately 100 families and children across two locations in Durham, North Carolina, reflecting her deep commitment to quality care and community impact.

In her current endeavor, Mrs. Bryant is recognized for her expertise in child advocacy, community outreach, and addressing the food insecurity gap in the community. She actively collaborates with a variety organizations to aid in shaping policies that support the child care and education industry. Mrs. Bryant's involvement in programs such as North Carolina Pre-K, Durham Pre-K and Early Head Start underscores her dedication to expanding access to high-quality equitable early learning opportunities for children from all backgrounds.

Within her centers, Mrs. Bryant fosters a nurturing environment where children can thrive and families feel supported. She remains hands-on in daily operations, coaching staff, overseeing daily operations, ensuring adequate resources for her team and maintaining adequately maintained facilities. Mrs. Bryant's leadership extends to supporting daily operations across both locations. Through these efforts, she exemplifies service-driven leadership rooted in excellence.

Mrs. Bryant's entrepreneurial spirit is further demonstrated through her role as a catering director for Bowick Ark Catering, a family-owned business established in 1999. In this capacity, she coordinates catering services while upholding the company's legacy of service and community engagement. Mrs. Bryant's work in hospitality is complemented by her collaboration with her husband, Laronte Bryant, who owns Imagery Events, an award-winning event planning company recognized by The Best of Durham Magazine honors in 2025 and 2026. Over the past couple years, she has contributed to Imagery Events' success by leveraging her expertise in hospitality management and event coordination.

Mrs. Bryant's academic achievements have played a pivotal role in shaping her career trajectory. She completed an associate degree in early childhood education from Durham Technical Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Hospitality Administration with a Business Administration minor, magna cum laude, from North Carolina Central University and a master's degree in mental health and wellness, magna cum laude, from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Bryant's advanced study has informed her holistic approach to supporting families' mental health needs within educational settings.

Actively engaged in academia, Mrs. Bryant is affiliated with the hospitality management board at North Carolina Central University and with the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association's Durham chapter. These roles allow her to remain engaged with industry trends while supporting the next generation of leaders.

Civically involved, Ms. Bryant volunteers with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and regularly hosts initiatives such as fresh produce distributions, hot meal giveaways for families experiencing food insecurities or homelessness and annual school supplies drives for local students. As both a donor and host, Mrs. Bryant also provides Thanksgiving meals annually for families and staff members, efforts that have strengthened community bonds while addressing critical needs.

Mrs. Bryant's creative projects include hosting the "Hard Topics" podcast, a platform designed to foster meaningful conversations around mental health, education and family well-being. Through this initiative, she extends her support beyond the classroom by engaging listeners on issues that matter most to families.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Bryant has been recognized for her leadership and impact. In 2025, she was honored with a 40 Under 40 award presented by North Carolina Central University for demonstrating outstanding leadership within her industry. This recognition was especially meaningful as it came from her alma mater. In celebration of this honor, Mrs. Bryant raised more than $1,200 to support future generations of students on campus.

Looking ahead, Mrs. Bryant is devoted to expanding her child care brand while evolving as a multifaceted entrepreneur. She also aims to broaden the reach of Growing Legacy Early Learning Center by providing inclusive environments for more children and families in need. Additionally, Mrs. Bryant plans to increase the audience of her podcast, which serves as a bridge between education, mental wellness and community engagement. With respect to her hospitality work, she intends to develop new, collaborative opportunities with commercial clients across diverse demographics.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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