Larry L. Merritt, Founder & CEO

Merritt has received community service awards such as: the Nelson Mandela Youth Award, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, Malcolm X Community Service Award, the Commonwelath of Massachusetts State Senate Citation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives Citation and the City of Boston City Councilor's Citation for his tireless commitment to the young people in the City of Boston.

Stephanie M. Merritt, Director of Operations

Stephanie joined the Merritting Attention staff three years ago as the Director of Operations. Prior to this, she worked behind the scenes with her husband and founder, Larry Merritt helping to build and provide direction for Boston’s elite student-athlete program. As the Director, she oversees the day-to-day administrative and business functions of the organization including the strategic planning process, fund raising, finance, and operations. Stephanie brings over 10 years of management and operations experience working in the non-profit sector. She believes strongly in the organization’s mission of developing student-athletes to become leaders both on and off the court. She is inspired everyday by the level of commitment from the student-athletes, parents, coaches, sponsors, board members and volunteers.

Stephanie and her husband Larry are both natives of Boston MA and have three beautiful daughters Janee (10), Jayda (6) and Arianna (3).

James Simmons, SADBC Program Coordinator

James has been with Merritting Attention, Inc. since 1998. Mr. Simmons was born and raised in the City of Boston in the South End neighborhood. As a teenager, Mr. Simmons worked as a Jr. Youth Advocate for the City of Boson for four years. Dedicated to youth education and non-violence, James focused his work on organizing events such as: the Youth Congress and several youth advocacy workshops that helped to keep the youth safe during after-school hours.

Mr. Simmons is a proud alumnus of City Year Boston (1993). He was recently hired as the Care Force Coordinator for City Year National to manage and organize service projects for Fortune 500 companies throughout the country. Prior to his assignment at City Year, Inc., Mr. Simmons spent seven years paving the streets as a Youth Worker for the Boston Housing Authority. While at B.H.A., he created and implemented a curriculum for at risk youth ages 8-18 years old residing in the B.H.A. Developments.

During his spare time, James enjoys working with people of all ages. He is truly patient for the development of our future leaders. He is the oldest of three sibling (Robert and Tameka).

Renee Smith, Membership Coordinator

Renee serves on the Executive Committee of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) where she works closely with other parents to plan and execute fundraising events and team activities. She also volunteers as the Membership Coordinator where she oversees the registration and application process for all 9 MABC Bengals travel teams. Renee is passionate about young people and enjoys being in their company. She and her family joined the Bengals travel program two years ago when her 9-year-old son Glenn played with the 10U/4th grade team and her daughters Ashley and Chelsey played for the 13U girl’s team. Renee and her husband Glenn are avid sports fans who enjoy watching all sports, especially basketball and football.

Earl Stephen, Director of Basketball Operations

Earl Stephen joined the MABC coaching staff in 2006 as an Assistant Coach. He continued his passion for coaching in 2007, leading the fifth grade boys team to an AAU National Championship title. In 2008, he served as both Head Coach of the fifth grade boys team and Assistant Coach of the sixth grade boys team who ranked 4th in the country in the 2008 AAU National Championships.

His greatest joy comes from coaching his 12 year old son Earl Jr. who began playing with the MABC Bengals in 2006. Earl is a native of New York City and currently resides in Boston, MA.

Open – Academic Coordinator