* DYNAMIC * MOTIVATIONAL
* INNOVATIVE * THOUGHT-PROVOKING
* ENTERTAINING * INSPIRATIONAL
Nationally and internationally these are the words seminar participants have used to describe this dynamic presenter. From topics as non-threatening as customer service to topics as delicate as race relations, diversity, and inclusion, Maxine L. Bryant has repeatedly captured the hearts and minds of many audiences. With over 30 years experience as a Professional Trainer, she is a very able presenter who is well versed in a variety of topics and has presented and/or developed workshops, lectures, and keynote addresses to diverse audiences across America, in Negril, Jamaica, West Indies; Cairo, Egypt; and Ghana, Africa.
Dr. Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ball State University, a Master of Arts Degree from Saginaw Valley State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services Degree from Walden University. All of her degrees have a concentration in Criminal Justice & Corrections.
Dr. Bryant has given leadership to two criminal justice agencies. She founded and served as the Program Administrator of the Arete Community Corrections Center, a federal halfway house in Saginaw, Michigan; and she served as the Executive Director for Offender Aid & Restoration of Marion County, an agency providing educational and counseling services to inmates housed in the Marion County Jail and to ex-offenders needing assistance. In 1998 Maxine began Bryant Educational Seminars & Training (B.E.S.T.), an Independent Training & Project Development Consulting Firm that “Delivers the B.E.S.T. in Training Design and Dynamics”. Through B.E.S.T Dr. Bryant entered into contracts with two federal initiatives: Project Safe Neighborhoods and Weed & Seed. Both contracts provided the opportunity for Maxine to aid in improving the quality of life in communities most affected by crime and violence by offering direct programming to residents and to persons with criminal histories. In 2010 she accepted the position of Director of the Mayor’s Office of Re-Entry, City of Indianapolis and expanded the span and effectiveness of that Office exponentially. In December, 2011, Maxine relocated to Savannah, GA and was contracted to served as the first Director of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Work Release Program during its inaugural year of existence. Additionally, Maxine contracted with Substance Abuse-Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) to provide trauma informed care training for professionals in criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Since moving to Savannah, Maxine has served as the Community Co-chair for the Georgia Prison Reentry Initiative in Savannah and was contracted to give leadership to the Savannah End Gun Violence project that focused on group violence intervention. Currently she is an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Georgia Southern University. With successful offender reintegration as her God-given passion, she continues to present Trauma Informed Care workshops to professionals in corrections, addictions, and mental health and re-entry focused workshops to laypersons.
In 2017/18 she produced a monthly radio show with the second half of the show focused on “returning citizens.