Today we’d like to introduce you to Neima Abdulahi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Somalia and my family moved to metro Atlanta in the mid-’90s after a civil war left us displaced and in search of a new home. We felt welcomed and embraced in Atlanta because of the city’s vibrant international communities all around the region. The A is a place of comfort. A place that’s culturally vibrant. This city gave me the inspiration to embrace my identity as an East African immigrant. As a kid, I became fascinated and inspired by the city’s civil rights history and developed a deep appreciation for the city’s hip-hop music.
I chose early on in my career, never to compromise my identity while chasing my dream to become a visual storyteller. That means always being my authentic self no matter what. Representation matters.
I’ve been blessed to become an award-winning journalist for Atlanta’s NBC news station ‘11Alive News.’ Prior to 11Alive News, I worked at the FOX station in Charlotte, where I spent three years of my career. I credit my success to the mentorship I received from the Emma Bowen Foundation and to journalism professors at Elon University who saw my potential. It took a village of support.
I never imagined when I was growing up in public housing that one day, I would be nominated for an Emmy – which happened in 2018 and again this year. This year’s nomination was a report that examined the intersection between Atlanta’s two cultural identities – the civil rights movement and hip-hop. It featured a sit-down interview with rapper T.I., while also highlighting the efforts of artist Killer Mike. The story unraveled Atlanta’s legacy as the mecca for black excellence – from the movement to the music.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey was not easy, but I knew all the hard work would pay off someday. My mother worked multiple jobs just to put food on the table. She was my inspiration and my reason for dreaming big. I realized early on that I am my mother’s wildest dream. She left her homeland and everything she knew to give her children a safe environment where they could thrive. And as a product of her sacrifice and perseverance, I always wanted to make her proud.
My journalism career began to unfold when I was 14-years-old. I started filming and editing video in 8th grade. During my time at Decatur High School, I produced content for the school’s TV newscast that aired once a month. I also became a writer for the school’s news magazine and yearbook staff. When I think back on all the years, I devoted to being a storyteller,
I am so thankful for those who inspired me to keep going. I faced a lot of challenges and at times, felt limited by the lack of resources in my life. But a mentor told me that I am so much more than the circumstances in my life. I’ve kept that mindset since then and continue to push myself no matter the challenges that come my way.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your work– what should we know?
11Alive is where Atlanta speaks. It’s a brand that allows the city to feel represented and heard on the news every single day. I am a general assignment reporter, which means I can cover a wide range of topics any given day including breaking news. I also specialize in producing cultural content for tv and digital platforms. My morning show segment ‘ATL Culture’ airs weekly and examines the cultural thread that connects the city – from hip-hop, civil rights, housing education and social issues.
So much of the special projects I produce reflect the Atlanta I experienced growing up – an unapologetic Atlanta that’s diverse and a hub for the culture (in every aspect of that word). This is something I always wanted to accomplish in my career and I’m so humbled to see it unfold right here in my hometown.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment so far in my career is continuously covering the Atlanta Child Murders case this year. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a tearful one-on-one interview that because of my reports, the city is now building a memorial to remember the 29 victims in an honorable way.
Between 1979 t0 1981, 29 African-American children and young adults were murdered in Atlanta. Investigators linked longtime suspect Wayne Williams to the killings, but he was never convicted for the murders. He is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of two adult men.
In my series of reports, the first story was on Mrs. Catherine Leach, the mother of 13-year-old victim Curtis Walker. During the interview, Mrs. Leach shared her heartfelt plea for the city to build a memorial as a tribute to the victims.
I took her plea to the mayor’s office and the city decided to make Mrs. Leach’s dream a reality. Now there’s a task force that will brainstorm how the memorial will look like and where in the city it will be placed. In addition to that, the city later announced that the cases would be re-examined as an attempt to find out if the killer is the longtime suspect or if someone else is responsible for the nightmare that continues to haunt this city.
I’m honored to have interviewed so many family members who felt forgotten for decades. I’m honored to tell the fond memories the family members had with their children before their young lives ended. I’m grateful to work for a tv station that believes in investing the time and resources to stories that matter to the community. None of this would be possible without the support of my managers and coworkers who value my vision as a storyteller. I’m grateful to be in this role as a product of Atlanta telling stories that deserve to be told.
Contact Info:
- Email: nabdulahi@11alive.comInstagram
- : @NeimerDreamer
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