Daughter follows dads footsteps, enrolls at Alabama A&M University

NORMAL, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Everyone experiences a point when they see their child take off into a world of independence.

Three years ago, as Jamal Ali journeyed to drop his daughter Amirah off at North Carolina A&T University for the next phase of her life, the journey shifted to the emotional realm of parenting.

That’s because as a graduate of Alabama A&M University, Jamal Ali had it in his heart for his daughter to attend his alma mater.

“Ever since that I could remember as a little boy my mother would take me to the Magic City Classic football game,” said Ali. “I had at that time two older siblings that had matriculated here.  Alabama A&M was always in my blood in our household. That’s all I thought about.”

Ali is now employed as vice president of marketing and communications at AAMU. However, the journey through college took him to the state of Indiana, and he spent over two decades in the Midwest before coming back to Alabama.

“To land this position and to be back, and my mother-in-law said it best, she said you’re back in the place where it all started,” Ali explained.

📲 Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go.
📧 Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox.

While deciding on a major, Amirah discussed taking courses in psychology with her dad, but her heart was to follow in his footsteps.

“Just growing up and seeing kind of like that firsthand insight into what he was working on like ad agencies and different projects and campaigns, I think I was just naturally drawn to it,” Amirah said.

Nearly three decades after her dad’s own Alabama HBCU experience, Amirah withdrew from her classes at A&T and returned home to Alabama where she belongs.

Ali says that his daughter’s returning home solidifies the meaning of homecoming week for the Ali family.

“I think I kind of took it for granted when I was younger but now that I am here, and I am a student I think it’s the best experience for me,” Amirah explained. “It’s very special to me and it’s special to my family and it’s special to a part of my identity. I am overjoyed to be back home. I really am.”

“To have my daughter here with me at my university and now her university, that’s just the biggest joy in this whole job for me,” said Ali.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.