Lawton Avery Merritt has always had talent and love of art. At the age of 12, he won a scholarship to the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago. He was born and raised in Chicago and because of a troubling relationship with his father, he rebelled and avoided being at home and as a result found a love for the streets, contempt for authority and a fascination with crime and underworld figures. His lifestyle covered many years of criminal activity from petty con games, drug dealing, gang affiliation and pimping, which ultimately led to a Federal indictment and years in prison. He has been in Milwaukee since 1986.

Lawton is the author of the book, Lil Johnnie Off The Block. He writes books, plays, skits, poems, short stories and PSA's. (Public Service Announceents). He was a youth counselor at New Horizon Center, a facility that houses court ordered and State Juvenile Boys 13-18, for six years. Prior to that, Lawton was the Recreation Director and Detention Coordinator at Alex's Academic of Excellence, a private school. He also worked with Milwaukee Public Schools, at their South Division High School after school program. He was also the Recreation Director at the Fresh Start Center, another facility that houses court ordered and State Juvenile Boys 13-18.

Today, Lawton is a workshop facilitator and motivational speaker, doing presentations for schools, churches and organizations. He studied desk-top publishing and business at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Kirkwood Community College. He has attended workshops and seminars in the fields of health and social services, criminal thinking, and gang training. He is a participant of the Spirit of the Men Mentoring Group, and has been a member of Breaking The Cycle Of Sin Prison Ministry for four years. He has been a volunteer for the food pantry and ministry of St. Marks for 5 years.