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Illinois native, Kerilyn Merritt, has over 20 years of nonprofit organization and international sales experience. As a graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism – Integrated Marketing Communications/Advertising and minored in Black American Studies.

After 10 years of working in broadcast media, Ms. Merritt transferred her marketing and sales skills into the remodeling and new construction industry as a National Accounts Manager to the present day. Throughout her career, she has been responsible for increasing revenue of several national buying group accounts within the remodeling and new construction trade industry – each with respective memberships ranging from 150 to 2000+ stores and locations. Ms. Merritt has presented at well over 100 international trade show event demonstrations – including public speaking engagements at McCormick Place – Chicago, IL at the National Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for a floor traffic audience of 30,000+ attendees. She has been a CAN-TV cable television host for Africa International House (African Festival of Arts), and a red-carpet host for both the Miss Black Illinois USA pageant and the 58th Annual Ghana Independence Day Celebration on behalf of Ghana International Council of Chicago, IL. With her wide breadth of media experience, Ms. Merritt has also contributed written content for several website publications, has been a featured writer and video/voiceover talent for various national company product training videos, and has developed mass media campaigns for a number of local businesses and national organizations, such as Meals On Wheels – Lake County, IL. 

As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Tau Xi Zeta chapter, Ms. Merritt has been the recipient of the 2020 Tau Xi Zeta Rising Star Award, the 2021 Light of Zeta Award, and 2022 Zeta of the Year Award – all awards presented to a member who has “taken upon herself greater responsibility within the chapter and has greatly contributed to the chapter’s endeavors in a short period of time”, and has, “excelled in all areas in which the sorority’s principles are founded upon”. Recently, Ms. Merritt served in the elected role as Tau Xi Zeta chapter’s Editor and Public Relations Committee Co-Chair for the 2020-2022 term. Ms. Merritt is the owner of All About The Pen, LLC. – a freelance service specializing in editing, proofreading and writing publications. Ms. Merritt is a valued board member and previously served as Secretary of The Finer Alliance, Inc, 2020-2023. In 2024, Ms. Merritt began her newest role of Director of Marketing & Communications for The Finer Alliance, Inc.