About Tyler Merritt

Tyler Merritt is a Nashville-based actor, activist, cancer survivor, founder of The Tyler Merritt Project, and author of "I TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK: REFLECTIONS ON TUPAC, MUSICAL THEATER, FAITH AND BEING BLACK IN AMERICA." Over the course of his career, Tyler has gained recognition through notable acting projects including "Kevin Probably Saves The World," "Outer Banks," and "The Outsider," as well as serving as the face of the worldwide teaching curriculum for The Gospel Project for Kids. Most recently, Tyler Merritt made headlines with his 2018 viral video "Before You Call The Cops," which has been viewed by over 60 million people worldwide and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, MSNBC, and the New York Times. As a 6’2'' dreadlocked Black man living in America, where racial injustices continue to plague our society, Tyler has emerged as a steadfast activist in the face of racism.

In his debut book, “I TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK,” Tyler Merritt bridges racial divides that seem to grow wider every day by painting a portrait of Black manhood in America, encouraging readers to reconsider stereotypes deeply ingrained in our society, and understand why fostering proximity with on another can be the cure for racism. Painful, hysterical, and passionate, Tyler Merritt elegantly weaves together lessons about white privilege and the history of encoded racism in America alongside the best Broadway Musical of all time, why every person should watch the movie "Love Actually," and the wonders of Gwenyth Paltrow (naturally). Rooted in connection, “I TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK" challenges readers to consider the relational power behind learning about the lives and experiences of others, especially people who don’t look like you or live like you from all races, religions, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. Tyler shares, "It’s not my job to make every human with fearful or racist thoughts feel comfortable," and instead reminds readers that distance from others breeds suspicion, but proximity cultivates empathy and sparks interest.