By Canaan Sims

The National Association of Broadcasters held its annual convention in Las Vegas from April 23-27th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Technology engineers, sales marketers, and employers worldwide are in attendance to witness the new innovating equipment yet to come with three exhibit halls full of it. The convention is for people of the broadcasting world to network with their colleagues in the industry, learn from successors at a higher level where people may seek to reach one day, and experience the new transitions media. NAB invited many media entertainers known on the national level, like the comedic actor, host, and radio personality, Nick Cannon.

Cannon was interviewed by NAB’s executive vice president of industry affairs, April Carty-Sipp, on the convention’s Main Stage. Cannon spoke on his early beginnings in broadcasting as a teenager at Nickelodeon. He began in his father’s church. Nick’s growth started when he witnessed great orators who spoke with strong vernacular. He learned about media in his youth by utilizing cameras and production equipment that his father gave him. He grew up with the mentality of wanting to work behind the scenes, but later on, his view changed to seek to be a talent.

Going through life progressions like working in fast food, Cannon realized he did not want to devote his energy towards that. He knew with something he was passionate about; he would put in the work and disregard the amount of time in the day because he won’t let that make him tired. Moving forward with more projects, Cannon reassess what he is devoting his time to once he becomes tired. Gave examples such as working for America’s Got Talent. “Working at America’s Got Talent, the talent kept me energized to not want to leave,” said Nick Cannon. He expresses his reasoning for so much success because the type of entertainment he works on is family-oriented. Looking back at his discography of work, you can track a trend.

April Carty-Sipp kept the conversation rolling to recognize Nick for being a resource to other current entertainers like the comedian, Pete Davidson, and R&B artist H.E.R. Cannon noticed their light when they were young and spends his time in philanthropy as an influencer of education. Touched on his recent completion of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Howard University in Washington D.C. and is completing a master’s.

His connection with the audience is essential because he sees them as his family. Cannon said, “It helped me get over a lot of my insecurities,” finding his fanbase. Cannon alludes to him being in the setting of his family, he can be comfortable, authentic, and vulnerable. “If I can envision everybody being my grandmama, I will be my best self.” Nick can recognize himself and be realistic as an entertainer with that mindset because people embrace the genuine energy. That energy sent him to inspire people of the broadcast world to attack their goals in the near future.