Diversity Producer & Reporter, CTV News, Toronto, ON. Born: Jamaica.
Karlene Nation is a reporter, writer and producer with CTV News Toronto (formerly CFTO News). In 2001, she was appointed Diversity Producer for CTV, responsible for increasing the representation of diverse communities in local and national newscasts.
Career: Karlene joined the CFTO news team in 1993; previously worked at CBC and CTV ‘s Canada AM and CTV’s National News; was a summer business reporter for the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business and covered spot news and business for the Toronto Star; and spent 6 years at the Toronto Stock Exchange as a Media and Public Relations Officer.
Honours: Including an African Canadian Achievement Award; a Toronto Emergency Services award for best news story (2009); profiled in Who’s Who in Black Canada 2 (2006).
Education: Diploma, Journalism, Humber College; BA, Political Science, University of Toronto.
Favourite book? I just read the book Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo. Sacajawea was the name of the Shoshoni Native woman who was the guide on the Lewis and Clarke Expedition. This is a riveting account of her life, and is one of the most intriguing and fascinating book I’ve read in years.
Favourite quote? “What’s mine is mine and what’s your’s is mine.” Not sure who said this quote, but these words have led to vicious conflicts around the world as leaders wage war to get what they want – whether it belongs to them or not.
Given the chance, what would you love to do that you haven’t done yet? I would love to produce a television series or a film. I also have a strong interest in politics. I had a chance to run for Toronto City Council. I will run for office again, in the future.
Who inspires you? I am inspired by my son Jan-Michael Nation. He’s an amazing young man; I am enormously proud of him. I am also inspired by my wonderful family – my mom and my siblings.
Why do you do what you do? I’m proud to be a Reporter and Diversity Producer with CTV News. I get the opportunity to meet people of all backgrounds, from all walks of life, in all circumstances. I am entrusted to tell their stories in an accurate, responsible and fair manner. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. I have an innate curiosity about people and where they were born. This curiosity, and my strong ability to communicate with people, is a huge asset in my job. I am proud of my responsibilities in terms of helping CTV to broaden our coverage of diverse communities, and to widen the representation of people, from all backgrounds, in our local and national news programming. I’m proud that I have assisted and/or encouraged many young people of all backgrounds to pursue journalism as a career.
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