Five Ways to Work Together
From a free lesson to a monthly seat at your table. Start wherever your deal actually is — you can always move up.
Which one are you?
Services & Rates
Every engagement is backed by the same thing: 30+ years of hands-on development, $6B underwritten, and 8,000 units built.
GroundUp
Not a self-study library — Dr. Merritt's own curriculum, drawn from 30+ years and $6B underwritten, plus real access to her: live Lunch & Learns, group office hours, and discounted time one-on-one.
30-Minute Consultations
One focused session with Dr. Merritt on a specific question — a site, a capital stack, a partner, a negotiation. Pay, pick a time, come with your question.
Speaking Engagements
Keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and workshops on affordable housing, economic empowerment, diversity in CRE, and building a career against the odds.
Senior Advisor
Dr. Merritt embedded on your active project — deal and site review, capital stack strategy, lender prep, and negotiation prep before your key meetings, with a direct line in between.
Joint Ventures & Institutional
Co-development and joint ventures through NREUV, plus cohort licensing of the GroundUp curriculum for agencies, CDFIs, and nonprofit developer programs.
She's Done the Thing She's Advising You On
Dr. Merritt didn't study development from the outside. She built other people's buildings for twenty years, then built her own — going from a zero balance sheet to a $400M portfolio and 800+ units in the pipeline across D.C., Maryland, and Ohio.
When she tells you a capital stack won't close or a partner isn't bringing what they claim, it's because she has been on both sides of that table.
Common Questions
I'm early. Is any of this for me?
Yes — start with GroundUp. A free account gets you a lesson, and a $100 course pass gets you 30 days inside a full stage of the curriculum. Most people don't need a paid call until they have a specific deal in front of them.
What's the difference between a consultation and Senior Advisor?
A consultation is one 30-minute session on one question. Senior Advisor is a monthly engagement where Dr. Merritt is embedded on your project — reviewing the deal as it moves, building capital stack strategy, and prepping you before lender and partner meetings.
Do you offer discounted or scholarship rates?
Yes. Consultations have a discounted rate for BIPOC developers and entrepreneurs, and GroundUp offers scholarship access — just reach out and ask.
How quickly will I hear back on a speaking or advisory inquiry?
Inquiries submitted through this site reach Dr. Merritt's team directly. Speaking and advisory requests are typically answered within a few business days.
Can Dr. Merritt joint-venture on my project?
NREUV does co-develop. Send the project details through the partnership form and the team will tell you honestly whether it's a fit.
Still Not Sure Where You Fit?
Tell the team what you're working on and they'll point you to the right door — including the free one.