Here at The Virginia Black Lifestyle Magazine, we celebrate and amplify the narratives of Black men making an impact on our communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Meet Mr. Demetrius Frazier:
Demetrius Frazier is the Vice President, Chief Learning Officer for Kaiser Aluminum, Inc., a $3.1 billion North America based semi-fabricated specialty aluminum mill products company. Demetrius is also an active entrepreneur as he owns an independent bookstore located in the historically important city of Petersburg, Virginia, recognized as the Small Business of the Year (2024) by the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Demetrius is a 1999 graduate of Virginia Union University with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. In 2006, he received his MBA from The E. Claiborne Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond.
What are you most known for?
I am a strong advocate for sustained and progressive change in the Black community, specifically literacy improvement. Improvements in literacy in any community, especially economically disadvantaged ones, benefit greatly from literacy improvements in areas like health, entrepreneurism, and crime.
How would your best friend describe you?
My friends would say that i genuinely care about their individual journey and dreams and do my best to support them physically and emotionally.
Who inspires you?
Courageous young people who look to drive change. Their spirit is pure and their optimism for a better tomorrow is contagious and inspiring.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I am a father of four wonderful children. They are my greatest joy, my toughest work but without a doubt my greatest legacy.
In a perfect world, what is one thing you'd like to see happen for Black men?
In a perfect world, I want Black men to collectively heal spiritually. Our road in this country for centuries have been long and tough. We have been attacked directly and physically. We have been battered psychologically and the ramifications have damaged our ability to love, build and resist fully.
What does perseverance mean to you? Can you share an example of a time you persevered?
I am in a perseverance moment right now. Our bookstore was originally organized as an online / pop up business and we were failing. We were losing money steadily with no growth in site. At the one-year mark we changed our business model completely to the brick-and-mortar model we have today. Perserverance in my case has meant being open to change even if your original plans do not work. The change may be difficult but having the fortitude to keep pushing is crucial to meeting the eventual goal.
What five songs are on your playlist, that you think other Black men should add to theirs?
"For Every Mountain," by Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers
"Say It Loud," by James Brown
"Alright," by Kendrick Lamar
"Still Standing," by Pharoahe Monch and Jill Scott
"Fight The Power," by Public Enemy
If you could go back in time and have a conversation with your younger self; which year would you return to? How old would you be in that year?Â
What would you say to your younger self, to inspire him about his bright future?
I would go back to my 21-year-old self in the year 1998. I would let the younger me know that there isn't a challenge I don't overcome. I have a great family, friendship group and these people matched with my faith in God are the key to my future victories and happiness.
How can our readers connect with you?
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