Annika Nation-Reid (born 1978) is a Black British Broadcast Producer/Journalist in South Wales (United Kingdom).

Annika was born in Cardiff, but her heritage is quite unusual. Her Mother is native Jamaican (Maroon) and White/Indian, her father native English, White/Ghanaian and Jamaican. As a young girl, Annika was raised by her mother in a good Christian environment and taught the values of trusting in God. Her Pastor, Hyacinth Lewis of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Cardiff, UK), recalls how they would ask her to pray at 7 years old and have to place a box for her to stand on at the Rostrum; "To this day I have people ask me how is that sweet girl who could pray the church down?".

Annika left Wales in 1995 to pursue her education in London, Brixton and spent 4 years pursuing a career in computers. Following the birth of her son Christopher John Charles II Nation, she returned to Wales, where she now resides. After returning, she trained in Health Care Science at the University of Glamorgan. In 2001 she began working in various NHS (National Health Service) Hospitals and Care Homes across Wales specializing in EMI (Elderly Mentally Impaired) patient care as a B Grade Nurse.

Tragedy struck Miss. Nation-Reid in 2006 when she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia; a condition which causes severe muscle and joint pain. After which, Annika had to adjust to a completely new lifestyle. "I had to think before I would do simple things like open a door. I was like a baby learning to walk for the first time I re-embraced my faith for strength." She became an active member of her church choir, finding her voice again through Gospel Music.

Following her diagnosis Annika returned to College and joined 'Coleg Glan Hafren,' which is Welsh for 'The College Over the Severn,' training in Computer Administration. She pursued this career through the only Black-Welsh Managed Radio Station in Wales and was quickly promoted to Researcher/Producer for Faye & Latifa?s (hosts of Radio Cardiff's 'Let the Music Play' radio show) 'Women Stepping Out' project. Annika's first Press Room experience was 'The Oraclez Gospel Concert', where artists such as CoCo from SWV, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin and CeCe Winan were making their debut in London at The Wembley Arena. "I felt honoured to be there. While undergoing physiotherapy, I would listen to Kirk Franklin every morning. This would give me the strength I needed through the day to help me re-learn how to function."

Following this success, she presented the Saturday afternoon Sports Programme with Jeremy Rees 'Ready Steady Score!' ntil he took over the 'Soulful Saturday Breakfast' slot. It was then she started to script write/co-host for the 'What's In..?' a segment of 'Good Morning Cardiff' with John Lenny Jr MBE. " This is where I would have my first experience of requesting and receiving funding and sponsorship for my show, I was extremely proud of myself". Annika wrote up a proposal and received sponsored funding for this show, it would be her first independant project.

Following her work with Radio Cardiff Annika began writing freelance for 'The Call & Post' an African American newspaper established since 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio USA and her university magazine 'Retro' in the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, where she is pursuing a Doctorate in Media Studies. Annika was the Student Representative for the 2009 BA (Hons) Media Studies with Visual Cultures Students.

Annika actively seeks out charity fundraising events with a mission to build public awareness of the effort of BME non profit organisations within Wales. Part of this mission was the drive which inspired her to coordinate the Cardiff Bay 'Tickled Pink' & 'MENFA Mentoring For All' charity fund raising event with 'ASDA Cardiff Bay(a part of the Walmart family'). Tickled Pink is a charity which helps to improve the lives of Breast Cancer survivors, and 'MENFA Mentoring For All' is a charity which supports the Cardiff Bay Ethnic Minority community empowering themselves to achieve their goals academically. Most recently she colaborated with ASDA Cardiff bay for the BBC charity 'Children In Need' whereby she contributed to the UK raising £18,098,199.

Currently Annika can be found volunteering her time with 'BVSNW Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales' whos aim it is to promote diversity within Wales. Their most recent project for Black History Month saw 6,000 people come in and around wales to the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay to celebrate black heritage contributionals made to Wales. She is also the Broadcast Producer/Journalist on 'Able Radio' recently recognised by the 'Cardiff & Vale Co-alition for Disabled People' Awards for its achievement in raisiing awarenessof people living with disabilities or long term medical illnesses.

Annika plays an active roll in her community raising awareness of issues in the Educational Institution for Black Minority Ethnic children, this followed after her son became a victim of discrimination and race related crimes. "I encourage my son in proving the stereotypical system wrong, you're not what society labels you as, and education is the key for the door that he will open to positive life changing experiences".

Annika is looking forward to what the future may hold with new opportunities such as starting up a foundation in the name of her late grandfather Zachariah Reid who came to the UK from the caribbean following the windrush. Inspired by his ambition, self drive and hard work, she believes many other third generation caribbean males within the UK can also be inspired by his story to pursue their dreams, and empower themselves to advance economically, not allowing themselves to fit into typical stereotypes that society creates for them.

Spending time with my family

www.annikanation-reid.tv

my vlog page