Alumni Award Winner Nashara Frazier Realizes the American Dream

I work in the travel business, so I know journeys are meant to be shared. I would like to tell you about mine.

My family came here from Jamaica when I was 8.

Yes. I am an immigrant. But I am also very American. I am realizing the promise of the American dream. And I am proud that my story is an American story.

I have beautiful memories of my life in Jamaica, but my parents believed moving to the United States could give us a better life. So, off we went to Miami.

In Jamaica, we had a house. In Miami, all 5 of us lived in a studio apartment. My parents worked day and night, but even as a kid, I never doubted their decision to move. We were on an adventure together. Unfortunately, I know there are many children today that are not so lucky.

In middle school, I joined the computer magnet program and began to spread my wings. This is where I discovered that technology creates opportunities.

Around this time, my family got the chance to visit Jamaica as tourists. On that trip, I saw my home country with new eyes – it was clear that Jamaica heavily depended on tourism. It was a trip that sent me on my way.

I joined NAF’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Miramar High School and immediately felt a part of something special. My NAF academy experience taught me that travel was an industry full of innovation and opportunity.

After college, I joined Expedia Group. In my first management position, I was responsible for growing Expedia’s presence in the online travel world. Jamaica was my top destination! Growing our brand in the Caribbean was a battle. People even asked me, “What’s an Expedia?” But NAF, FIU and my parents put me on the road to success, and failure was not an option.

Because of my work, I had the honor of meeting with Jamaica’s Prime Minister. It was important for me to stay connected to my birth country, but I never imagined that the Prime Minister would personally thank me. In fact, my mother still has a framed picture of us in her office.

Like a lot of immigrants, every promotion, every opportunity, every award, proves to me and my family that our journey was worth it. But those personal markers of achievement should also serve as proof that immigrants are part of what makes America great and we always has been.This award is one such marker, and I’m proud to share it with my husband. I fell in love with an educator, and we’re raising three beautiful children together, our twins Dillon and Elle, and our oldest Ethan.

My husband is the principal of William H. Turner Technical Arts Senior High School in Miami where he presides over three NAF themes. All of these academies are model or distinguished! For us — NAF is a family endeavor.

Like all of you, we believe education must be connected to the real world. Our work is focused on ensuring that NAF’s students are prepared to move into fulfilling careers in the global marketplace, no matter where they started their journey.

To the current NAF teams and educators, thank you for your commitment and your vision to this next generation. And students, please — take and make opportunities as you start out on your journey. TAKE AND MAKE THEM! NAF gave you a unique edge. Use it to pave your way forward.

I have traveled a long way from where I started. I am not there yet, but I am optimistic about my journey ahead. I hope it is the same for each of you.

Thank you again to NAF for this opportunity and this prestigious award. You have made me and my family very proud.