As the nation celebrates Black History Month, PennLive, for the third year, is recognizing men and women making a difference in central Pennsylvania. Today and for the rest of the month we will introduce you to our “Trailblazers and Trendsetters” — Black entrepreneurs, professionals, artists and advocates who are inspiring change in our region.
Merrick Green
Age: 49
Community: Harrisburg
His story: After serving in the Air Force for 23 years, Merrick Green was eager to continue serving others as a civilian through his passion for technology.
When the New Orleans native retired from the military, he moved to Pennsylvania and became the owner of MG4Tech, a for-profit technology consulting business he founded in 2013. Since its start he has provided expert advice and guidance to help many small businesses in central Pennsylvania grow their online presence.
Green also uses MG4Tech to educate students about technology and starting businesses through creating websites. He has helped high school students in Dauphin County along with a New York-based organization called Career Technical Education.
“I let them sit in on my business meetings with consulting clients so they can learn not only the business aspect but also learn the technical aspect of dealing with clients and building websites, ” he said.
He’s also the CEO and founder of a nonprofit called “Technology 4 Me,” which aims to bridge the divide for disadvantaged users of technology in central Pennsylvania.
Through fundraising, he donates computers to help students, veterans and elderly people. Green said he has donated computers to Steelton-Highspire High School, the Nativity School of Harrisburg and to interns.
The COVID pandemic is what inspired him to start the nonprofit, he said: He saw the internet become a necessity for millions of people amid nationwide lockdowns and social distancing.
“I have this big passion because I realize the opportunities that exist when you have access to things like technology,” he said. “Doors open for you when you’re able to go online. Whereas if you didn’t have a computer, you could not do it, it would be impossible.”
He also teaches financial literacy at John Harris and Steelton high schools, and he’s hoping to expand to more schools.
Green wears many hats: He is also the president of the Theta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. in Harrisburg and studying for his charter financial consultant certification.
His newest role is director of the MLK Leadership Development Institute, taking over the position held for 16 years by Joe Robinson. Green was also an MLK scholar in 2022. This program is an initiative of the Harrisburg Interdenominational Ministers Conference to develop emerging community leaders.
In his words: “We all need to communicate with each other to figure out what our needs are and what we can do for one another,” he said. “Never eat alone because you always have an opportunity to share something with somebody.”
