Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Cannon

Hi Nick, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Raised in South Florida, I never really had a clear direction in life. After high school, I knew I needed to find a purpose, so at 19, I enlisted in the Air Force. I served six years as an F22 Crew Chief and separated in 2019 as a Staff Sergeant. When I moved back to South Florida, I decided to go to school, but I also found myself getting involved in politics. I worked as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives and later as a Veterans Congressional Officer in Congress. Now, I’m the Director of Development and Communication at the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, where I help serve Florida’s wounded and disabled veterans through life-changing programs.

Like many veterans, returning home was bittersweet. I had high expectations about hanging up my uniform, but instead, I was hit with an empty void. In short, I lost my purpose. Without that, I lost accountability, and for a few years in between my roles in the Florida House and Congress, I sank. I turned to distractions, more addicted to forgetting who I was than living up to the man I knew I could be.

But then, thanks to God, I was blessed with the gift of my daughter, Stella. She gave me my purpose back. Like the military, Stella made me accountable to something bigger than myself. She saved my life. The progress I’ve made in the past two years is beyond what I could have imagined. I’m here because of her, and we’re just getting started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life has definitely had its share of challenges. While I don’t always share these stories openly, they’ve helped me connect with others who’ve faced similar struggles. From dealing with physical abuse, abandonment, custody battles, to the tough transition out of the military, I’ve seen some dark times. But I’m thankful for these experiences because they’ve shaped me into the man and father I am today—one I’m proud of.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I serve as the Director of Development and Communications for the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, where we raise funds to support two life-saving programs: urgent financial assistance and critical dental care for Florida’s wounded and disabled veterans. While that’s my official title, my true purpose has always been taking care of people. In the military, it was my fellow troops on the flightline. In the Florida House, it was the 90,000 constituents we served. In Congress, it was the veterans of Florida’s 20th congressional district. At WVRF, it’s the veterans who have nowhere else to turn. Above all, I’m most proud of my relentless drive to help those in need. I know what it feels like to have no one, which is why I stop at nothing to ensure others get the help, appreciation, and love they deserve.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice I can give is to embrace the mindset that we get to write our own stories. Life is full of challenges, but every challenge is an opportunity to shape who you become. Don’t let setbacks or hardships define you—let them fuel you. When I was starting out, I wish I had understood sooner that purpose isn’t something you find, it’s something you create through your actions, your mindset, and the way you show up for others. Be intentional about the legacy you want to leave behind. Stay resilient, stay accountable, and most importantly, take pride in knowing that every step, every struggle, is part of a story that you get to write.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wvrf.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ng_cannon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.cannon.56
• Twitter: https://x.com/ngcannon