What happens when a family decides to shift the focus of their holiday celebration from gift giving and receiving to creating memorable experiences together and sharing them with others. Join Karlene, her son Nick Cannon, and her daughter, Ivy Hill, as they talk about their journey as a family into
Christmas Different.

Bios:

Ivy Hill – In fifth grade, Ivy wrote one thing in her journal: “My goal- Get into Duke.” Seven years later, she met that goal, which tells you a lot about her enormous capacity and remarkable work ethic. But as a junior in high school, she confessed to her parents, “I have learned if I make my goal anything but loving other people, I will run right over them and do a lot of damage in the process.” And now you see a glimpse into her unusually self-aware and wisely beautiful heart.

While in high school, Ivy fell in love with two young kindergarten students who had just come to the country and spoke no English. She tutored them for 4 years and watched as the language barrier caused them to fall further behind their peers with each passing year. The pain of watching their love and excitement for learning erode as they faced overwhelming obstacles kindled a passion in Ivy to teach and help newcomers overcome the challenges of school while learning a new language.

Ivy is the oldest child of Karlene Cannon, Director of Content and Product Development for Larger Story. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 2020 with a degree in Linguistics and Neuroscience, and received her Master’s in Teaching from Union University in 2022. She married fellow Duke alumnus, Jimmy Hill, in 2020, and today they both teach high school students in Memphis Tennessee.

Nick Cannon – Growing up obliged to have conversations that matter around the dinner table, after arguments with siblings, and every Sunday with a larger community of families, Nick Cannon has reluctantly come to appreciate knowing how to deeply engage with others in any circumstance or condition of soul. Nick is the son of Karlene Cannon, Director of Content and Product Development for Larger Story. He is a senior business major at Furman University and plays football there. He is also a photographer and filmmaker and released his first documentary film in March. You can find his portfolio on Instagram @nickcann0n.