Maya McFadden Photo
Khalilah Brown-Dean with Jeffie Frazier at the celebration.
A parade of pink and green love from members of New Havens Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. celebrated the 77th birthday of Jeffie Frazier, a legendary public school educator, principal, mentor, and sorority sister.
Frazier’s family and friends surprised her on Sunday with the drive-by celebration featuring the sorority’s trademark colors. Celebrants said they wanted to honor her contributions to public education and influence on many New Haveners personally.
Visitors included church members, former students, school staff members, sorority members, and extended family from her homestate of Louisiana.
Frazier’s family joined her on her lawn shaking pink and green pom poms to the music of the car horns and “happy birthday” shouts.
Frazier sat on her front lawn giving her “AKA wave” to the 40-car parade.
Visitors stopped briefly dropping off birthday cards, cakes, and balloons to Frazier and her family. Her lawn was decorated with lawn cards spelling out “AKA Sister” and “happy birthday.”
“This is beautiful, very very beautiful,” Frazier said who wore an AKA mask that read “Pretty safe” in pink and green.
Tanya Townsend and Sharron Solomon-McCarthy.
The sorority organized the parade, first met at Dunbar Hill School to decorate their cars. Members were escorted by Hamden police to Frazier’s nearby residence.
Shenae Draughn, president of Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, met Frazier about 20 years ago at the Community Baptist Church while they both were serving in the church community.
Later the two got closer when Draughn took on her role in the AKA community. “She overflows with wisdom. It’s something special to experience,” Draughn said of the retired principal.
During times when Draughn was low in spirits, Frazier would reassure her of her excellence and abilities, she said. This helped Draughn when she took on her role as chapter president.
As an educator Frazier developed Wexler Grant’s dress code, boosted parent engagement, and took groups of Wexler-Grant students on trips to Senegal. Frazier became principal of the Helene W. Grant School on Goffe Street and later the combined Wexler-Grant.
“She led from the African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,” said Draughn. “She makes everybody feel like they’re family.”
During the parade Frazier pointed out the faces passing by: “That’s my student,” “She’s from church,” “Hey, I missed you! Long time no see!”
To Laren Williams, Frazier is Aunt Jeffie. WIllaims grew up with Frazier who had a close relationship with her parents. Despite being family, Williams saw Frazier in a number of her roles. She recalled going to summer school at the Helene W. Grant School and seeing Frazier in “teacher mode.”
Lauren Williams, Frazier, and Shenae Draughn.
“Everyone deserves roses and flowers while they’re living,” Williams said.
After the parade some members of the sorority joined Frazier on her front lawn to take pictures. Frazier announced that at her most recent doctor’s visit, she was told her tumors are getting smaller. The group cheered. “That means I can eat more,” she said.
The group concluded by singing happy birthday to Frazier then the Alpha Kappa Alpha anthem. Frazier joined in on.
Hearts that are loyal /
And hearts that are true /
By merit and culture /
We strive and we do/
Things that are worthwhile /
And with a smile/
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Ms. Frazier 77th Birthday Celebration
Posted by New Haven Independent on Sunday, November 22, 2020
This is wonderful and well deserved. When New Haven has the opportunity to name a school again, it should definitely put Jeffie Frazier on the top of the list. She is an amazing educator who built a beautiful community for children.