From Plastic Bags to Purpose: How TeeJ Mercer and Move In Day Mafia Are Redefining Support for Foster Youth in College
Aging out shouldn’t be the end
What happens when a child raised in foster care ages out of the system—and heads to college with no family, no finances, and nowhere to turn?
For most, the answer is quiet struggle. But for 84 students across 21 HBCUs, the answer is Move In Day Mafia—and a woman named TeeJ Mercer who refuses to let them walk alone.
The Problem Most Higher Ed Leaders Don’t See
Every fall, thousands of students arrive on campus with parents in SUVs, arms full of dorm décor and encouragement. But there’s a population we don’t talk enough about: youth aging out of foster care, group homes, or housing insecurity—often arriving with everything they own in one trash bag.
These students are statistically more likely to drop out—not because they’re not brilliant, but because their most basic needs go unmet.
A Mission Rooted in Audacity and Love
Enter TeeJ Mercer, a Howard University alum, former television editor, and founder of Move In Day Mafia—a nonprofit dedicated to wrapping these students in community from move-in day through graduation.
Her model? Radical, holistic care.
- Dorm essentials with dignity—students choose their own toiletries, bedding, even wigs.
- Year-round support—birthday gifts, therapy coverage, and emergency funds.
- Four-year commitment—not a one-time gesture, but sustained investment.
She started with $3,500, 13 students, and one social media post. Within an hour, she received a $17,000 donation. The work has since exploded—powered by what she calls the ABCs of Audacity:
Ask Big. Believe Long. Collaborate in Community. Do It Scared.
Why It Matters to DEI, CSR, and Talent Pipelines
What TeeJ Mercer is doing isn’t charity—it’s workforce readiness and pipeline protection. Her scholars are future nurses, engineers, educators, and leaders. They are resilient, resourceful, and overlooked by most systems.
Companies seeking meaningful CSR alignment, DEI engagement, or scholarship programs should be watching closely.
How to Partner or Support
Move In Day Mafia will host its first in-person fundraiser this summer: HBCU Bingo, emceed by Emmy-winner and long-time supporter Sherri Shepherd. All proceeds go directly to student support.
You can:
Sponsor a scholar
Fulfill a wish list
Offer corporate matching or grants
Spread the word
🔗 Learn more at MoveInDayMafia.org
TeeJ Mercer didn’t wait for approval, funding, or a perfect plan. She just started helping. And because of that, 84 lives—and counting—are changing.
Let’s build systems that do the same.
For more info check out:
The Metro Record
