Merritting Attention

STAFF
(click on name for picture & profile)

Larry L. Merritt II, Founder & CEO

Stephanie Monteiro, Director of Operations

James Simmons, Program Director

Sophia Bennett, Executive Assistant

Gisela Johnson, Finance Manager

Debra Dinkins, Membership Coordinator

Curtis Howe, Sr., Director of Basketball Operations

Peter Boccino, Sr., Director of Player Development

Mr. Merritt founded Merritting Attention, Inc. in May of 1996. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Merritt began his basketball career at Cathedral High School and played both football and basketball where he received All-Scholastic, Player of the Year, and Dream Team honors.

Merritt received a full-four year basketball scholarship and a B.S. in Business Administration from Merrimack College (1996). While at Merrimack College, Merritt was selected Captain by his teammates for the 1995-1996 season. In his junior year, he was named the Lawrence Boys Club MVP by its club members and the Merrimack College Men's Basketball Team MVP and selected to the NCAA Division II New England All-Star Team in his senior year. In 1995, Merritt founded Brothers & Sisters United, the first multicultural student/staff organization on campus, whose mission was to educate and build diversity on campus, and to recruit and retain students and staff of color at Merrimack College.

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.

Merritt is currently seeking his Master Degree in Special Education. Also, he serves as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at South Boston Education Complex, Head Softball Coach at Dorchester High School, Assistant Football Coach atÂ Hyde ParkÂ Education Complex, and the Head Boys Basketball CoachÂ for theÂ MABC BengalsÂ 10 & Under/4th GradeÂ AAU National Bronze Medalists.
Merritt is married with three beautiful daughters: Janee' (8), Jayda (3) and Arianna (10 months).

Francois Fils-Aime has been involved in the educational system since 1998. He taught World History, Economics, and Latin American Studies. He has also worked as a career specialist assisting the youth in Boston in career opportunities.

Francois has received "The Who's Who Among Teachers in 2002 and 2004", "The Distinguished Teaching Award",and the Boston Celtics Teacher Recognition Award. He has been involved in community service toward the youth in Boston since 1989. He has volunteered as a tutor and mentor at the South End Boys' and Girls' Club, Action for Boston Community Develoment, Dorchester Y.M.C.A. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Boston where he received his Bachelor's in Political Science and Master's in Education.

Francois is currently enrolled at Northeastern University where he is working on his certification in Administration. He also currently serves as a board member at the Dorchester Y.M.C.A. where he and the other members raise funds to off set the costs of various child care programs at the Y.M.C.A. He has run a very successful youth basketball tournament at the Y.M.C.A. for the past five years that focused on team work, team cooperation, and less emphasis on always winning. Francois is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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.