I Would Not Be Denied

Anthony "Tony" Merritt grew up in Connecticut, where he was the second oldest of eight children. Throughout his childhood, Tony experienced everything from racism and segregation to physical abuse from his stepfather. The odds were stacked against him, but he determined to make his dream of attaining an education come true. Tony went on to serve in the United States military during the Berlin Crisis and returned to earn his bachelor's and master's degree in education, becoming the first African American to acquire a teaching position in the Salt Lake City school district. Tony set goals and worked as hard as it took to meet those goals no matter what obstacles and challenges were in his way. He and his wife, Ann, whom he married during the years when those in interracial marriages were heavily discriminated against, supported one another through their educational endeavors and beyond as Tony grew into immense success through owning car dealerships. Tony made all of his dreams come true through grit, determination, and an unwillingness to let others decide for him that he couldn't achieve what he set out to accomplish. His is a story of inspiration. Tony passed away unexpectedly in 2013, but his legacy lives on through Ann, his children, and those who have been inspired by his remarkable journey.

Category Memoir
Size 6×9 in, 226 Pages
Publish Date July, 2020
Edited by: Autumn Thatcher and Jacqueline Dobbins
Design: Anita Boeira

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