Selma Lord Selma.

It’s amazing to me how Selma stands as the Mecca for such events as the Civil War, civil rights and voting rights movements. Selma was the place where powerful civil rights pioneers such as Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis, Marie Foster, Annie Cooper-Huff, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and many more communed, walked and fought for not just black freedom but civil liberties for everyone regardless of color, creed, sex and religion. As in the words of Selma’s tourism director Candace Johnson, Selma is a “jewel,” and it really does grow on you.

As many of you already know by now, I moved to Selma when I was 16 years old — in August of 2000. I graduated in 2003 and from there, I moved to other places to attend college and experience life more. Never in my wildest dreams, did I expect to come back to Selma to work. I guess you could say it was divinely ordained.

From a journalist’s perspective, I’m glad that I can see things that may not be of easy access to others. The exciting thing about my job is that I get to see firsthand the inner workings of meetings and programs held by officials and dignitaries and relate those facts back to the public in a comprehensive way. As challenging as it may be, it continues to be an interesting and fulfilling job.

I cannot lie and tell you that at one point, I had lost hope for our city. That’s why I left the first time. Each time I came across the bridge, my spirit sank and grew melancholy at how it seemed the city had gone to ruins after so much history had been made. But with the recent opening and renovations of Phoenix Park, Riverfront Park and the Carneal (ArtsRevive) Building, my hope has been renewed for the city, especially for downtown.

Once again, Selma can be the place that rivaled others; a place that can once again receive national attention; a place that natives can once again look forward to living in. No longer does Selma have to be penned with negative stigmas or leave a bad taste in others’ mouths. Selma can be the place where locals can embrace its history and value it as so many tourists do.

In the next couple of years, I’m excited to see what Selma has to offer. And with the help of our Selma City Council, Mayor, superintendents and other profound movers-and-shakers within the community, Selma can be a place where even the Lord wouldn’t mind residing.