SHARING UM-FLINT ALUMNI STORIES
Brittini Ward, ‘15
Brittini Ward, the driving force behind EyeNEye LLC., is a multifaceted artist and intuitive healer whose work weaves together storytelling, community empowerment, and transformative healing.
An Emmy-winning spoken word artist and published author, she debuted her libretto “The Seer,” an opera exploring Black Dignity and Black Futures, at The Kennedy Center. Her poetry collection, “Arms, Legs, Hips and Thighs,” delves into the complexities of love, struggle, trauma, and personal growth.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Brittini is a dedicated narrative change specialist. She co-developed “Trusting Choice, Seeing Change,” a powerful intervention designed to combat harmful narratives about poverty among Detroit service providers. Leveraging her multimedia expertise, she empowers clients to share their stories globally through graphic design, videography, photography, and canvas art.
Guided by intuition, Brittini extends her healing practice to the community, offering oracle/tarot readings, Reiki healing, movement, and African drumming. As a true “multi-hyphenated creatress,” she fearlessly explores new avenues, organizes for impact, and consistently shows up for herself and the communities she serves.
Check out more of Brittini’s work on her EyeNEye. Stay Up-To-Date on her Instagram.
1. What excites you most about your work?
What excites me the most about my work would be the fact that its impact is spiritual, timeless and shape-shifting. It comes from a divine source that never ceases to fulfill me. I love that I have been able to funnel these gifts into many different mediums that have brought me into spaces/places I never would have thought. The purpose behind my work is collective and intergenerational. It stands on foundations that have been built way before I was born. My work feeds me and the greater collective.
2. What advice would you give to current students or other alumni with similar goals?
I would tell them to explore inside and outside the classroom. College, when done right, could be a world of opportunities. You can’t be afraid to knock on all the doors. It is because of my many involvements during my undergrad that I gained the experience that boosted my resume, and to this day, I have networks that are rooted in UM-Flint. I would also tell them to “Network Across” (Issa Rae, 2023) those same classmates or friends who go on to become millionaires, doctors, teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, mechanics, chefs, authors, executives, entertainers, and so on. Lastly, I would tell them that the power structure is upside down. We, as students, have more power than you think. It’s our tuition that keeps the doors open. Never be afraid to demand what you need for a fruitful education. No, is another opportunity to find a yes. Half of the time, it’s ignorance that creates unjust conditions.
3. How did your experience at UM-Flint prepare you for your career?
UM-Flint as an institution did not solely prepare me for my career. UM-Flint forced me to survive/thrive in a system where everyone may not look like you, those who look like you may not always show up with love, you may have to prove your worth to receive what is already yours and no matter how tired, how misunderstood you are you have to keep showing up and pushing to the finish line (that is sometimes just the beginning). I have big gratitude for some of my instructors (Dr. Traci Curry), my mentors (Regina Laurie, Delma Jackson and Dawn Demps) my co-workers (CEO/EOI), my supervisors (Mr. Ganjis, Tawana Parks and Avery Brand), my sorority (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.) and my organization (Black Student Union) for always being that listening ear, that lesson solidified, that motivation and that boost of confidence.