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Hailing from the quaint and historically rich town of Selma, Asaad Abdullah has returned to his hometown and joins The Selma Times-Journal as a general assignment reporter. Abdullah takes up the mantle as Amy Lewis transitions to another Boone Newsmedia affiliate, Greenville Newspapers.

“We are pleased to welcome Asaad Abdullah to our team,” said Regional Editor Lanell Downs Smith. “As a Selma native, his familiarity with the city and its people will enhance our coverage of the people, places and events which are so important to our valued readers. Asaad brings with him an unparalleled passion for highlighting the best and brightest of the Queen City.

“We are also pleased to announce that Amy Lewis, who hails from Greenville, remains in the Boone Newsmedia family and will continue area coverage with Greenville Newspapers, Inc. to focus on the tri-county coverage area which includes Lowndes, Butler and Crenshaw Counties.”

Abdullah, a graduate of Selma High School, emerges as a beacon of passion, intellect, and relentless ambition. His days at Selma High were marked not only by his athleticism but also by the accolades he earned from mastering his textbooks. However, it was his academic pursuits, rather than athletic endeavors, that truly showcased his depth of determination and acumen.

Having earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics from Alabama State University, Abdullah honed his quantitative proficiency and analytical insight through his academic pursuits. This foundation paved the way for a multifaceted career in STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Math).

“I’m looking forward to working with a well-rounded person as Asaad,” Selma Times-Journal Managing Editor James Jones said. “He has an impressive resume and will be a great addition to the Selma Times-Journal staff.”

Abdullah’s professional journey  encompasses distinguished tenures spanning  multiple decades, both as a Senior United States Treasury Analyst and as a College Mathematics Professor in Atlanta, Georgia.

Beyond the realms of finance and academia, Abdullah’s creative spirit flourished in the world of  media and technology. As a coder and graphic design artist, he seamlessly melded logic with imagination, crafting digital art and designs that resonated with diverse audiences. His creative trajectory reached its heights in the early 2000s when he became a groundbreaking music producer for the iconic Def Jam South, once again blending mathematics and technology with rhythm, calculation and innovation.

Upon returning to Selma, eyeing an early retirement, Abdullah has chosen not to rest solely on the laurels of his past professional achievements. Instead, he aims to provide insight and direction to the city he fondly remembers from his childhood days on Selma’s west side. There, he and his childhood friends roamed and played along the sidewalks of First Avenue between Broad Street and Lapsley Street.

“My family has always subscribed to The Selma Times-Journal and I enjoyed reading it as a kid. It feels like I have come full circle and think the opportunity to work along side Jones will pay immediate dividends as we look to better inform the Selma Community and forge our small town newsprint boldly into the future,” says Abdullah.