Bryant Davis believes public service is a calling only a select few will hear.
Davis didn’t heed the call until a few years after graduating from Gardner-Webb University in 2010. His first job after college was in sports marketing at Charleston Southern University.
“I was not very keen on the sales part of it, but I loved the relationship building,” Davis said. “I loved the community aspect in terms of partnering with local agencies, churches and schools.”
He decided to take a job as the assistant director of government and community services for Richland County in 2017. The position allowed Davis to make an impact on his hometown of Columbia. It also opened his eyes to the need for narrowing diversity, equity and inclusion gaps within the community.
“I started focusing a lot more on working to address and understand inequalities that existed in our communities,” Davis said. “I started participating in a lot of facilitator training and DEI training that was offered online and in person to understand.”
Davis was hired as the Greenville’s first chief diversity officer in May 2023. He was excited to be part of building the position from the ground up.
Using the knowledge and skills he learned, Davis strives to help every city employee reach their desired potential. He is driven by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
“There have been people that had taken the time to pour into me and to ensure my success and I want to, in turn, do the same for others,” Davis said.
He offers coaching to help employees become more aware of their values and skills that can be utilized in the workplace. He also helps build strategic partnerships internally and externally with the community.
“Ultimately, if we are moving towards the organization itself internally thriving, then we can ensure that our communities around us can do the same,” Davis said.
Outside of work, Davis raises his three children with his wife, Megan. He currently commutes to Greenville for his job, however, his family plans to officially move to the area in a few months.
