A graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, New York, Bryant Dowdell received a bachelor of science in business in 1996. The following year, he joined the Police Athletic League as assistant director of the Beacon program at Egbert Middle School in Staten Island, where he supervised 20 educators and youth staff members in the operation of an after-school mentoring program. Over the next eight years, Bryant Dowdell supported the program in offering athletic and arts activities and academic support for elementary-through-high school students, in addition to handling various managerial and administrative tasks.

Since 2004, Mr. Dowdell has served as a corrections officer with the New York City Department of Corrections. Assigned to the special operations division at Rikers Island, he transports inmates to and from work assignments island-wide, ensuring the safe and efficient performance of duties including trash collection and sanitation. Mr. Dowdell draws on extensive knowledge of tools and equipment, as well as experience driving commercial vehicles such as salt spreaders, street sweepers, and passenger buses.

A former football player, Bryant Dowdell played in both high school and college. He maintains a personal interest in scientific topics related to astrophysics and space travel.