“We have a live director from Saudi Arabia…” These were my words on June 4th while accepting an Emmy Award on behalf of Converge Media. Salman Albuqayshi was whom I was speaking of, for almost a year now he has been the live director for the Morning Update Show, The Day With Trae, The Factorz TV, We Live In Color, The Truth With Proof, and countless specials the aired on Converge. However, last Friday, we held a going away party for Salman as he moves on to the next phase of his career.

What made Salman’s time at Converge Media so enjoyable is that he literally showed up every day and would find different ways to make his shows better. Salman was known for making constant adjustments on set, from the lights to the cameras, and even looking for the very best shots when it came to our talent and guests on set, he truly never got stagnant. And if he didn’t know something about a new camera he was using or even new software that he needed to learn he would watch tutorials, read books, and ask questions.

I would get recommendation after recommendation for new equipment from Salman on what we needed to purchase to ensure that we could produce the best possible content. Salman’s time at Converge will be marked by his pursuit of daily excellence.

I mentioned during an interview in Montgomery, Alabama last week that Converge Media is a space where young people like Salman can come and hone their skills and prepare them for the next level of their career. A space where they might enter as loners but leave with a new family.

Salman, Shukran (Thank You) for your time with Converge Media, thank you for your commitment, dedication, hard work, and most of all your friendship. 

This is not goodbye, just until we meet again bro.

-O