Michigan has been everything that is defined by the word, “impressive,” early on this season. 11-0. #2 in the country. We all know what’s going on. We see it. This team is loaded. Athleticism. Smarts. Shooting Ability. Depth. TALENT. You only have to watch one game and can quickly recognize the talent and skill these guys posses. And many may argue that this increase in talent is the biggest reason why this Michigan basketball team is off to its best start since the 1989 championship season. I’m not among them. It’s too surface area.

We’ve got 3 more days to make this happen, Captain! Here’s a perfect opportunity to grab Merit perks, help us manufacture our debut launch collection, and help underserved youth get to college. Hit the image below to make your contribution today.

We’re so thankful for everyone that has contributed thus far!!! We’ve still got a lot of work to do. Here’s a perfect opportunity to grab Merit perks, help us manufacture our debut launch collection, and help underserved youth get to college. Hit the image below to make your contribution today.

About six months of work + A postponement of a set in stone shoot date + Countless edits + One animator that went AWOL at the deadline + Everything that we are, believe in, and want to accomplish to ignite our youth with a fire for higher education = Merit’s Brand Video. If you have three minutes, please watch this. If you like it, please share it. If you want to send us feedback, please email it!
And don’t forget to visit Merit’s Indiegogo Campaign, where you’ll be able to grab Merit product, help us manufacture the line, and raise money for underserved youth to go to college!

What an awesome countdown! Here’s a recap of all our Merit product sneak peeks that are currently available through our Indiegogo Campaign. Thru December 21st (time be ticking), you’ll be able to grab Merit product, help us manufacture the line, and raise money for underserved youth to go to college.

Last week, we went written journal style to give you a feel for what went on during the first official program day of FATE. This week, we’re back with the visuals in video form! Tell us how you feel after watching.

“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is “timing.” It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” ― Fulton J. Sheen

You’ve waited patiently, and for good reason. As a proud father (lol), I’m happy to announce that Merit is finally launching its debut collection through IndieGoGo! The cut-n-sew collection was designed by the amazing menswear designer, Detroit native, and NBC’s Fashion Star runner-up, Nzimiro Oputa! From Cyber Monday, November 26th, at 12 AM, thru December 21st, you’ll be able to grab Merit product, help us manufacture the line, and raise money for underserved youth to go to college. Look at all the difference you’ll be making by contributing and learn all the IndieGoGo specifics below:

I’m excited man. Are you? Tell the world you’re excited then!

The success of this campaign depends a great deal on how well we can spread the word. Even if you’re unable to support by snatching a Merit product perk, you have friends and family. You have Email, FB, Twitter, & Instagram. Tell your networks about what we’re doing. I’ll send another email update when the campaign begins on Cyber Monday. Until then, follow our social networks as we count down the days to launch – stupid fresh sneak peeks of the collection will be exposed:

Follow Us On Instagram | Become a Facebook Fan | Follow Us On Twitter

I’ve been trying to describe this feeling. But I can’t. The words at my disposal just don’t seem to be constructive enough to quite define the adrenaline that currently flows through my body. But I will try.

We’ve officially started the FATE program. FATE (facilitated by Merit’s nonprofit arm, Give Merit) provides sufficient resources and opportunities for underserved youth to embrace education and become world-class citizens. Our goal is to ultimately expose students from an at-risk community to an institution of higher education consistently. While they’re here, we motivate them through interactive and engaging workshops put on by our Community Partners at various community, university, and corporate entities.

The program currently convenes one Saturday a month, and November 3rd served as the launching pad. So if you would, just walk with me and our 22 students from the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. Step by step. As we pace together, I pray you’ll be able to feel my heartbeat. If you get weary, please don’t quit. Just hold my hand ’til the end.

In late September, the Merit team (Kuhu and I lol) traveled to the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy to present our FATE program to the entire 9th grade class at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. The FATE program (facilitated by Merit’s nonprofit arm, Give Merit) provides sufficient resources and opportunities for underserved youth to embrace education and become world-class citizens. Our goal is to ultimately expose students from an at-risk community to an institution of higher education, and motivate them by partnering with different community, university, and corporate entities to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops one Saturday a month. We will be working with a select group of twenty ninth grade students from one high school in Detroit, and they will travel to Ann Arbor and U of M one Saturday a month for the duration of their high school career – a 4-year program.

Please take a look at a short recap from our presentation day! To date, we’ve already received student applications and will be announcing that special group of twenty students over the next few weeks!

Dawgies! We are currently looking for interns to assist with all aspects of publishing our blog/outreach content. These tasks range from creating engagement campaigns and blog content, to video production and photo editing.

Ideal candidates are those creative types! The peeps that like to bring visions to life, have strong writing skills, and knowledge of html. For our video production interns, having experience with filmmaking surely helps and is greatly desired.

All interns are expected to work about 10-15 hours a week, however, that work will most likely not require you to come into the office. We don’t even really have an office yet dawgies! It’s coming though!