Meet Christina Cannon | Accent Modification Specialist and DEI Communication Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Cannon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
As an accent modification specialist, my job is to connect people with different communication styles. One aspect of a global economy that is crucial for its success is effective communication. The clients who seek my support are proficient speakers of the English language, however, run into difficulty being clearly understood. While there is controversy with this type of work, it is essential to understand that phonology of a language, learning accurate production of sounds within words and sentences, is simply an advancement of learning another language. The work itself is not discriminatory and is fully appreciated by employees wanting to be successful in what they do. The other side of the connection is within the scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion and entails educating employers and companies cultural humility. This calls for both sides to work together to create a healthy and successful workspace.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As an accent modification specialist, I have engaged with successful professionals from across the globe. My clients are inspirational to me because they can speak two (or more) languages fluently and are dedicated to becoming better at their communication skills. I grew up hearing the discrimination against my mother when people heard she had an accent. It is often misconstrued as a person having a lower intellect and thus are treated differently, often with less respect. I love dedicating myself to helping others gain confidence and navigate through cultural differences. I have traveled the world through most continents and am fascinated with humanity; how we are all so different yet similar. My experiences as a Chaldean American and speech language pathologist provide me a distinguished position to support those in multi-cultural environments succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For anyone visiting Los Angeles, I enjoy taking them on rooftops or hikes that will allow people to see the city from atop. The Griffith Observatory is always a must. Then strolling Santa Monica and going to the beach for some seaside healing is always an awesome time for folks to eat, shop and relax. Of course, a ride up the PCH is a great opportunity to marvel in its beauty and bask in the glory of the ocean meeting the land. Dukes Restaurant is a great place to admire the ocean while eating and has a bigger than life feeling to be there. A time in Temescal Canyon for a picnic or a game of bocce ball is a sure way to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. A comedy show on the Sunset Strip or on Melrose can uplift spirits through laughs. A fancy dinner in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills is a great way to dress up and live that LA life. Depending on if people like the touristy side of things, a Hollywood Tour can be a great way to explore the city. Taco trucks are a sure way of feeling the culture of this city. The Grove and the Farmers Market are a must. Going to botanical gardens, museums, and plays can be a sure way to explore culture. A trip out to East LA to witness the lowriders with hydraulics are an LA specialty and can introduce people to a whole new exciting culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout is dedicated to Nikita Gupta, who gave me this opportunity. She is a dedicated healer who is a pioneer in resiliency and has encouraged me in my dreams and endeavors.

Website: www.cannonspeech.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-cannon-58394614/