On the Summit’s Horizon: Zeke Bryant
By Rev. Christopher W. Riley
FWIS Contributing Writer
In my artistry I have always looked for a new canvas, whether it be on the computer or if I am painting or drawing,” said Zeke Bryant, a local community organizer/activist and entrepreneur.
“I met Zeke while at Ivy Tech Community College. Zeke is a great asset to our community. He has his hand in both video and graphic production. He is an entrepreneur. Many have rocked his uniform design and custom bow ties. He is active in the community with Big Brothers Big Sisters. All this while remaining grounded in his family. Always with a smile”, said Clifford Clarke, president of C2 IT Advisors and former supervisor at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne.
Clarke mentioned Bryant’s signature smile. You can find him smiling while directing the media operations at New Covenant Worship Center where Pastor Luther Whitfield is the Shepherd of this flock. Bryant got his start running the camera at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church while growing up. At this time, he did not know that it was something you could major in while at college. Initially he took his artistic talents to the Art Institute of Atlanta. After spending a year in Atlanta, he attended Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, University of Saint Francis, IPFW and later graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunications with an emphasis in designer productions.
While at IPFW, he met his wife Rachel in a Biology course. He admired her tenacity and work ethic. She was a single mother of three and working multiple jobs including being a lunch lady at Geyer. “We always talked and had great conversations. She has taught me a lot,” said Bryant.
Bryant also says, “I knew she was the one because she didn’t give up and she supported me while I was in college at IU in spite of struggling as a single mother. We have been together for 20 years and married for 13. We are blessed to have an 11-year-old son, Zeal together. My wife schedules and plans our family activities that affords the children opportunities that I did not have.” The family now includes children who are 31, 27 and 25 with a granddaughter who will be 12 in October. Bryant is affectionately known as G-Pa.
“If anyone knows Zeke at all you know he loves God. That is the biggest reason I love him. He is unapologetically a Christian, and he carries that over into every role of his life. His faith has given him the heart to empathize with others' needs and the vision to create innovative solutions to inspire change in the community. He is a helper who is always extending a hand. His gift of creativity allows him to produce visually appealing products, photos and videos that evoke emotions in people. I enjoy watching him walk in his purpose”, said Rachel Bryant, wife of Zeke Bryant and youth involvement program manager with JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Indiana of Brightpoint.
According to Generation.org, Mentorship involves a relationship between a more experienced professional (the mentor) and a less experienced individual (the mentee). The mentor provides guidance, shares knowledge, and experiences, and assists in the development of the mentee’s skills.
Zeke credits the late William Malcolm “Zeus” Fowlkes who was an administrator at Village Woods Middle School as one of his early mentors. Fowlkes gave him his first job opportunity at 14 years old. “He trusted me to mop the floors in the gym and the cafeteria and this experience led to a preference to work independently and not be micromanaged.” When asked about advice to his 16-year-old self: “read books, be more of a leader and get into public speaking.”
“The entrepreneurship gene came from my father. Unfortunately, I lost my father at a young age. However, I can remember him working but also having multiple streams of income. He took what he learned from his jobs in construction and developed an entrepreneurial venture. He always went after what he wanted. He always looked people in the eye. He never looked away or looked down. He taught me to stand my ground. I remember in middle school going to buy a bulk-pack of blow pops and selling them for a quarter a piece. I put my talents to work in any way possible.”
Like Clarke, others have marveled at the wooden bow ties. “I got a wooden bow tie from K & G Men’s Store and said, I can make these. Since making the bowties I have expanded the woodworking business to include signs with phrases, wall art and names. I have also made acrylic signs, signs that light up and jewelry such as earrings and necklaces.
When asked what is next for Zeke Bryant? “I have started my master’s in social work and plan to become a mental health counselor. I will take community activism and organizing to the next level and have a building designed with resources to serve the Summit City. As African American men we have a lot of baggage that we carry and feel that we must carry. The process of finding a mental health counselor is not easy. I would like to be that bridge of support. I have always been there to help others with advice so why not pursue a career and earn the necessary credentials. I plan to remain in the arts while serving in the capacity of a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.”
The role of faith continues to sustain Bryant as he credits his mother for teaching him the following:
“God makes a way for his people. Never begging for bread or needing a home. Do not fear, God will guide you.”