James A. Bryant is one of San Francisco's unsung labor leaders. He plays an important role not only in his own union but also in the community through the A. Philip Randolph Institute.

               James was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended Western Michigan University. In 1975, he came to San Francisco and worked at the San Francisco Police Department as a Transit Police Officer for the San Francisco Municipal Railway.

               James career in organized labor is deeply rooted to his love of serving and helping people. As he was working as a station agent for the San Francisco Municipal Railway, he became an active union leader. He became a chief steward, was elected trustee and also elected vice president for San Francisco region for SEIU 790.

               As president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute for the last 10 years, James has brought the organization to another level with his interpersonal skills. He has built a successful relationship with different community leaders, community organizations and has close affiliation with different labor groups.

               The APRI San Francisco chapter now is not only involved with voter registration and education but has now become a community outreach group for private organizations like PG&E. APRI make sure that the community gets the first shot at all the jobs that PG&E needs now that it has started its dismantlement of the power plant.

               James is known to be a "fighter". He will fight a cause from beginning to the end. He will always give his best efforts to raising the standards of organized labor.