‘Rolling Out’ reports the death of editor-in-chief N. Ali Early

N. Ali Early, editor for the Atlanta-based entertainment and media company Deployment, is dead.

The outlet shared the news of Early’s passing on Friday, Jan. 28, reporting no official cause of death for the Bay Area native and father of three, known for his skills and versatility as a writer, editor and brand builder.

A native of Richmond, California, Early developed a love for writing as a child, honing the craft throughout his prep school years before enrolling at the prestigious HBCU Clark Atlanta University, where he graduated. his degree in mass media.

After a brief stint as promoter, Early joined Weekly UrbanStyle deployment as a freelancer in 2000 and was promoted to an editor within his first three months on the job.

For more than two decades with the outlet, Early showcased his talents spanning some of the biggest names in entertainment including Kelly Price, Keri Hilson, Angela Rye, Blac Chyna, and more, earning praise from readers.

“N. Ali Early is a prolific writer and journalist who is always at the top of his game,” wrote one Facebook user. “He knows how to write on a multiplicity of topics ranging from entertainment to politics and convey his views in a way that is always easy to understand!”

“Second, Early is a phenomenal, fluent speaker, which is why he exudes such an ease in interviewing diverse people at all levels,” the user continued. “Early’s ability to build websites and capture the essence of the person/product/service is super special.”

Early shared in a biography on his personal website that despite his early love for writing, the path to a career in the medium was not always clear to him.

“I always tell people I’ve been writing all my life,” Early wrote, adding, “The idea of ​​writing as a career was something I never imagined… Not that I didn’t think I could. do it. I never thought at do it.”

Early said his early years at Deployment gave him the spark to start his own business, Kreative Souls LLC, a media platform and brand marketing agency offering writing, marketing and graphic design services.

Early said throughout his multiple career endeavours, his love for writing has remained fundamental to his success.

“Everything I do, day to day, revolves around my ability to use a pen to my advantage. I speak figuratively of course, because computers are the way of the world,” Early said during a interview in 2018 preceding The Cali Picnic, a gathering co-hosted by Early dedicated to California natives living in Georgia.

“…It’s essential to be able to communicate on paper before you open your mouth – whether it’s an introductory email, a marketing proposal, a treatment, etc.”, he added. “If you can’t attract a potential customer with compelling copy, communicating your message is a daunting task.”

Deployment reports that Early is survived by his wife, Tene Early, with whom he raised three boys, Khalon, Keon, and Kalel.

A GoFundMe in Early’s honor has been created to support his family.

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