You need to make the text shape. click on the text and click ctrl + b twice.(make sure the text is the way you want it, you won't be able to edit later) it will now be a shape. then just use the ink tool and click on the shapes to add a stroke.
now if i want to select a letter and fade 2 different colors, how do i color the angle? at the bottom of the filter, I see white and grey going left to right, how can i make the grey go from bottom to top? thank you.