Former Kent County Administrator’s New Book Shares His Leadership Path and Helps Others Realize Their Dreams

Grand Rapids, Michigan – In a newly published book, former Kent County administrator Wayman Britt discusses his personal leadership journey and the dreams of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. talks about the need to build a society comparable to

“Fulfilling Your Dreams: Finding Purpose in Leadership and Service to Others” details his personal account of how he developed his skills through life experiences and found his life mission. doing.

Related: Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt Retires

Britt hopes the book, written with Ray Seraphine, will inspire readers to consider how each of their achievements can contribute to King’s dream of giving opportunity to all citizens. .

“I want to disrupt America’s mindset so that people believe that we are all disconnected from this equation that is moving us toward making America great and improving the lives of all people. That’s the premise of the book,” Britt said at an October book release event at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

Britt said he started thinking about the book before he retired from Kent County in 2021. He came to the county in 2004 as his assistant county administrator and was appointed administrator in January 2018, becoming the first black person to serve in the role. He was interim manager in 2017 after Darryl Derrabbio retired.

Prior to joining the public sector, he spent 24 years in various management positions at Steelcase, a global leader in office furniture.

“We need to do everything we can to help people achieve their goals and dreams,” Britt told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “Too many unfulfilled dreams”

In this book, Britt talks about the hard work, determination, and faith in God that drove him through challenges, disappointments, and setbacks. He did not allow racism or politics to deter him from achieving his goals and being successful in business, government, and sports.

Britt is currently President of Wayman Britt Enterprises and is focused on using his knowledge and experience to inspire others to reach their potential and develop their leadership and performance management capabilities.

A native of North Carolina, Britt tells how his family moved to Flint in search of greater opportunities for a better life.

Britt was active in student council and track and field at North High School in Flint. He contributed to the state title-winning basketball team in his 70’s and was inducted into the Greater Flint His Area His Sports Hall of Fame.

As captain of the University of Michigan basketball team, Britt helped lead the team to the 1976 NCAA title game. He holds a BA in Communications from UM.

After graduating from college and serving in the National Basketball Association, he joined Grand Rapids in 1978 and held management positions at Steelcase.

Britt guides readers through his quest to open the American Dream to those who have long been excluded, sharing the lessons and experiences of competing at the highest levels of sports, corporate culture, government and politics, and applying them to the most sensitive cultures of our time. associated with some of the public issues.

Fulfilling the Dream: My Pathway to Leadership and Finding Purpose in Serving Others is the first book published by WBE Books, a division of Wayman Britt Enterprises.

Supported by his wife Dinah and their children, Britt held book signings in Grand Rapids and Flint. His signing is scheduled for April 27th from 7-8pm at Ada, Amy Van Andel Library, 7215 Headley St. SE Unit 309.

For more information on the book, visit https://www.wbebooks.com or follow Britt on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wbebooks.

Monica Scott contributed to this article

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