WC Wisconsin News

Tyler Merritt, author of the best-selling book "This Changes Everything: A Surprisingly Funny Story about Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About," will speak at Viterbo University on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre and will also be streamed live on the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPwf0iF9WdHIZzYvSjOGbFA.

Merritt’s book reflects on how his cancer diagnosis shifted his perspective on life and priorities. “A cancer diagnosis caused Tyler Merritt to realize there was no time for anger, unforgiveness, foolishness, or lost friendships. None of us have any time to waste,” according to the announcement from Viterbo University.

The presentation is part of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership fall lecture series and is free and open to the public; seating is limited and no tickets are required. The lecture is held in partnership with the Viterbo Common Read series, an initiative that introduces new students to intellectual life at the university.

Merritt is known not only as an author but also as an actor, musician, comedian, activist, and creator of The Tyler Merritt Project. His viral videos "Before You Call the Cops" and "Walking While Black" have been viewed over 100 million times worldwide. He has also written a national best-selling memoir titled "I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America."

In previous appearances—including a talk at Viterbo University in 2022—Merritt has emphasized unity, empathy, compassion, and inclusion through humor in his lectures delivered to audiences ranging from corporations to youth groups globally.

More information about upcoming events from the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership can be found at www.viterbo.edu/ethics.