NIKKI TAPPER MBE AWARD-WINNING BROADCASTER
For over two decades, Nikki Tapper MBE was best known as a voice across the West Midlands, connecting with communities as an award-winning broadcaster for BBC Local Radio. Today, through Nikki Tapper Events, she is an established compere and events host as well as panel host, podcaster, trainer and facilitator.
WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND? I was born in Smethwick, the youngest of five to Jamaican parents who both came from very humble beginnings. Mum was 19 when she moved over here to train as a nurse, later meeting dad here.
I remember growing up we always had the radio on and the house was busy with lots of people around. They were both involved in lots of community groups so I think I was destined to end up doing something like radio which has been a big be part of my life.
I am now married to my wonderful husband of 30 years, Norval as well as a proud mum to Olivia and stepmum to three and step grandmother to seven!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE SO MUCH ABOUT BROADCASTING? I just love the fact that I can talk to people and hear their stories and give them a voice. My time at the BBC has been amazing because it has opened the doors for me to interview MPs and celebrities but, more especially, that connection it gives you to the local community.
As a broadcaster you have the privilege of painting pictures. It means that I was part of this incredible international public service that so many people, even without realising, had in their homes all the time.
But then podcasting is a great way to record stories from what people deem the marginalised communities, or approaching female-led stories, such as menopause, in a less generic way, looking at its impact and the cultural differences. Mainstream radio is not picking up the phone to hear what it's like for a woman from Somalia!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS. On a personal level, interviewing the first black TV presenter on ITV in the late 60s/70s, Barbara Blake Hannah and co-hosting on the red carpet of Peaky Blinders' final TV series on Broad Street.
And last October, receiving the MBE for Services to Broadcasting and the Community of the West Midlands, from HRH Prince William. I think my greatest achievement is impacting people's lives through my teaching career, and through radio, and having that acknowledged with an MBE is an absolute joy.
WHAT FUTURE PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? I am hosting a new podcast called Future Focus on behalf of National Apprenticeships and Education Events, for whom I’m also
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LOCAL PEOPLE NIKKI TAPPER MBE
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