Tyler Merritt delivers unforgettable presentation at Author's Night

The Nashville-based bestselling author spoke in Durnan Auditorium on Tuesday, September 26 and challenged the Nashville community to use his lessons from the bench to ignite change.
By Holly Newsome, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

“I Take My Coffee Black” author Tyler Merritt delivered a talk in Durnan Auditorium on Tuesday, September 26 as the celebrated author for University School of Nashville Association’s Fall Book Frenzy. 

“He highlights humanity and connection,” said University School of Nashville Director Amani Reed in his introduction of Merritt. “He gets you in a deep and authentic way.” 

Merritt spoke to the audience about lessons from the bench, a scenic spot in Nashville where the author goes to reflect and write. 

“People are my everything,” said Merritt. “My goal is not to waste your time; instead, I want you to leave with a singular, shared experience. We will all be changed a little when we leave this room in an hour.”

Merritt’s first lesson: Sometimes meeting others helps one realize their capabilities, and they will discover things they never knew they needed in this life. For the author, trying to impress a cute girl at school helped him discover a love for Bon Jovi. His passion for the rock band and other artists across a variety of musical genres led him to Nashville, Tennessee where he started a group and created songs for several years. While music is just one of his many passions, Nashville remains his home. 

Merritt’s second lesson: The world is not as kind as one thinks, so be surrounded by people who care. The author encountered racism at a young age in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, an experience imprinted on his heart. He credits his mother in that moment for reminding him of his value regardless of his skin color. He continues to pass along that kindness expressed to him in a dark moment through content creation about his experiences as a man of color in the United States. 

Merritt’s third lesson: Nobody is just one thing, and everybody has the power to change the world. The author discussed how a new experience  — listening to the “Miss Saigon” soundtrack on the recommendation of a school friend  — changed his life. He would go on to pursue theater at a small college in California, loving every minute of being swept away in a different story. His passion for the discipline is evident in his body of work as an actor, a comedian, a speaker, and a vocalist. 

Merritt closed his time spent with the audience by sharing an example of how his lessons from the bench are still applicable in his life today. After an unexpected life event created a strong sense of shame in the author, he contemplated what good work remained in the world for him to complete. Following an encounter with a woman at a Tennessee park, he returned home to film a video he titled “Before You Call the Cops,” which features Merritt sharing things he wants the world to know about him. 

Merritt posted the video to social media without much thought, but it went viral with 20 million views in one week. Perhaps the sweetest surprise for Merritt was a call from an editor at The Washington Post who reminded the author he was more than enough. The video and call sent Merritt on his trajectory as a man with a mission to love, learn, and create. 

“If I am enough then so are you,” Merritt reminded the audience.

Merritt’s powerful words were impactful on the crowd. 
 
"I enjoyed listening to Tyler Merritt speak because of the captivating way that he tells stories from his life," said Izzy Aulino '26. "The way he was able to tell how different moments completely altered his perspective and life was interesting because it gave me an insight not only into what his life was like but what it was like to be him."  

Merritt’s one-night only presentation launched a special year for USN’s Evening Classes, a series of one-night classes helping adults in the greater Nashville community gather together to nurture their passions with proceeds benefiting USN’s need-based scholarship endowment.

"Tyler Merritt brought an enthusiasm and a happiness with him to Author's Night. We are grateful for the collaboration that happened to make this special night of hope possible for the 250 people in attendance, many of whom who were also introduced to the USN for the first time," said Debra Alberts, USNA Office Administrator & Evening Classes Administrator. "We look forward to sharing more enduring USN Evening Classes with the Nashville community when the catalog launches on December 8 and registration opens on December 12." 
 
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.