Brittani Haywood Profile

Normally cool, calm, and collected, Brittani Haywood’s eyes light up with amazement and fascination when she talks about one of the most important experiences of her life. The words rapidly flow out of her, as if she wants to fit her heart that is overwhelmed with emotion into one sentence.

“The inauguration was amazing,” Haywood says. “We (Meena and I) did get to see Obama in his car toward the end of the parade route and as soon as we heard his speech we called her dad so we could have it played again just in case we missed anything.”

For Haywood, attending President Barack Obama’s inauguration with the Emerson Democrats earlier this year meant witnessing history and the ultimate power of change up close. The experience also solidified her desire to pursue her career. In broadcast journalism, Haywood, hopes to work in the political field.

“I’ve always had a fascination with politics and writing, to fully cover politics I think that television is the correct medium,” says Haywood, 19, a native of Covert, Michigan.
Besides being involved with the Emerson Democrats, Haywood is a news writer for Emerson’s television network EIV and is a talent and writing manager for the college’s radio station WEBN.
Her duties cover everything from delivering weather reports to reporting the 2008 election coverage. These intense journalism experiences are only fueling her aspirations to become like her two biggest influences, Wolf Blitzer and Helen Thomas.

“Helen Thomas should be everybody’s influence, she’s covered nine presidents and she’s feisty,” Haywood says.

Aside from her professional aspirations, Haywood also likes to explore Boston with her local friends, eat anything that involves any kind of carbohydrates, and is “in the habit of seeing far too many plays.”

Being in a major city is quite a turnaround for Haywood, who grew up in a sparsely populated, sleepy mid-western town, in a state with 10,000 lakes.

“My town is so small, you’ve probably never heard of it before,” Haywood says.

Calling Boston home feels natural for Haywood, who has “fallen in love” with the city.

“Boston is a great mix of historical and current,” Haywood says. “It’s a starter city; it’s not humungous like New York City, and it’s not overwhelming.”

At her home in Michigan, she enjoys reveling in the natural beauty around her, spending her summers at the lake, reading and being with her close friends. The close and quaint environment that she was raised in obviously comes out in her warm and friendly nature. It shows itself in her affable demeanor.

Her suitemate Karen Parkman, a Writing, Literature and Publishing major from Columbus, Ohio knows Haywood’s laidback nature well.

“She’s really sweet and really easy to get along with,” Parkman says. “When we were having roommate problems, she was trying to keep everything amicable.”

Among her most enviable and esteemed qualities is being a go-getter, and working hard to achieve her goals.

“Brittani’s good at joining things.” Parkman adds. “I wish I could get my s--- together like her.”

Haywood characterizes herself as “an introvert at hear who likes to do extroverted things,” but those around her see as an easygoing, small-town girl ,who in a few years’ time, will be making wrong-doers and novice politicians on Capitol Hill quake in their shoes.

Scenes in the Boston Public Garden

Everyone is in pairs today. Father and son walk awkwardly distant, only grunting comments and response at each other. Two fabulous fashionista friends walk arm in arm, Starbucks cups in hand, whispering secrets of their lovers with a casual ebb and flow. A woman and her puppy romp through the snow chasing squirrels with such vigor that you barely notice that somewhere under there is a summer pond. Everyone seems to have lightness in their steps and an appreciation for a beautiful calm after yesterday’s winter storm.

Walking the city, carefully keeping an eye out for the glittering surface of ice set against the dirty concrete, is a lesson in treading lightly. But once you tire of examining the pace of your steps, you look up and it seems as if you had fallen into a postcard. The snow is supple, and powdery-light in the Public Garden. The mid-afternoon sun peaks its sleepy head from behind the Gothic spires of an empty church. Those who have chosen to walk the scenic route through the middle of this winter wonderland do so with ambitious steps toward their destination.

Half-hearted attempts at snowmen appear every once in a while with misshapen heads and amputated limbs.. Lopsided they may be, but they are optimistic as well, a perfect reflection on the human character. A loud “Hey!” being shouted in distress beckons snaps you back into focus, and a siren wails in another direction. The chaotic blunders of city life, once again, alerts you to the paradox that is Boston. The city is grimy, but pure. Luscious, but scrappy. Privileged, but homeless. The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty displayed in one cross section is absolutely fascinating.