High Ground is gearing up to kick off its 12th On the Ground neighborhood, Hickory Hill. From September through November, our OTG team will lift the stories of Hickory Hill's dynamic residents, local businesses, community organizations and leading changemakers with articles, photo essays, podcasts, video essays, live interviews and more.

A.J. Dugger III, High Ground News' new On the Ground lead writer. (April Stilwell) We're already in the area, studying its history, meeting its people and listening to their ideas for the most important neighborhood issues and assets to shape our coverage.  

And just in time for Hickory Hill, we're hired On the Ground lead writer, A.J. Dugger III!

An award-winning journalist and native Memphian, A.J. will head the charge to produce people-centered, solutions-oriented stories in both our current neighborhood and our 11 past neighborhoods.

Check out our Q&A with A.J. below, and be sure to say hello when you see him out, about and On the Ground.
 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from the Whitehaven area, although today I reside in Bartlett. I graduated from Bishop Byrne High School in 2004, and got my bachelors degree in communications from Austin Peay State University 2009. I began a career in freelance journalism just after graduating from college, but I've also worked a few social work jobs and in education as a pre-k teacher.

My wife and I were married in July 2017. I also own a turtle I named Large Marge. She is hilarious entertainment and not afraid of anything. She follows me so much I call her my “shell shadow.”

In recently years, I've lived in Murfreesboro, Columbia and Clarksville in Tennessee, but it's great to be home in the Memphis area. I have to re-adjust to the traffic, but other than that, I really enjoy it.
 

Why journalism? what do you love about it?

I discovered in college that I was a natural at journalism. I have always been a storyteller. I have always enjoyed talking to people. Likewise, I've always loved writing. So journalism was the perfect balance of each.

I may be a young 33, but I have had a long career. I have interviewed doctors, lawyers, actors, comedians, athletes, musicians, politicians, etc.

Some of my favorite celebrity interviews were with former heavyweight champions Larry Holmes and Shannon Briggs, actors John Saxon and Keshia Knight Pulliam, singer Denise Matthews and filmmaker Tariq Nasheed.

Another highlight was interviewing Soledad O'Brien, who is one of my journalism heroes. She said I reminded her of her when she was a young reporter. That let me know I was definitely on the right track.
 

You're also an author?

I have written two books. The first one was “The Dealers: Then and Now,” which is about my mother and uncles. They were a funk band during the '70s and '80s and had moderate success. Their biggest hit was called “Don't Keep Me Waiting.” They were label-mates with Michael Jackson on CBS Records. It was published in July 2013.

My more recent book, “Southern Terror,” published in January 2017. It's a horror anthology. More accurately, it is about hilarious people in horror situations. One story is about an adult film star whose deceased husband begins to communicate with her through texts and emails.
 

Why'd you want to return to Memphis / join High Ground?

My wife and I wanted to come back to Memphis to be near our families again. I started looking for jobs and found High Ground's post for a lead writer. 

I was attracted to High Ground because I like the style. The work is less chaotic compared to some of the stressful, fast-paced, breaking news journalism jobs I've worked in the past. I can take my time a bit more, craft better stories. And I like how one of the key things about High Ground is building relationships. I always tried to do that with most sources I've worked with in the past. People need a voice, and I was great at being that voice.

I am looking forward to building new relationships with Memphians. This is a new start for me. I'm back home in a familiar setting, and I'm doing what I love to do.
 

like most journalists, you're new to High Ground's style of Solutions journalism.

What are you looking forward to as you dive into your first neighborhood? do you foresee any challenges?

Sidewalk-level, solutions journalism is not new to me per se, but I never knew what it was called. It wasn't the focal point of any of my previous writing jobs. I honestly don't see it as a challenge but as a real treat. I feel that through my reporting, I am part of the process of making a solution and making things better. I'm all about helping people and inspiring others.

I trust God's vision, and I also trust the vision of High Ground News. I'm elated to be part of it. 


For highlights of A.J.'s previous journalism work and career highlights, visit ajdugger.net. You also follow A.J. on Facebook and Twitter.