Nasha Johnson empowering youth in Portland

Titchfield High School alumna Nasha Johnson has always epitomised excellence in her endeavours.

A mother not only to her biological child, Micah Francis, but also to numerous youth whom she inspires and guides towards achieving their best, Johnson is hailed as a phenomenal woman.

On April 20, she was bestowed with the prestigious Youth Development award at the Prime Minister's National Youth Awards for Excellence. Overwhelmed with joy, she exclaimed, "We're very, very excited! We are extremely happy."

Reflecting on her journey, Johnson shared that she was born in Kingston, but raised in Portland.

"I grew up with my mother who moved to Portland when I was six years old," she explained. Johnson returned to Kingston at the age of 17 to pursue higher education at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in business administration, only to return to Portland at age 23.

Despite the allure of Kingston's bustling opportunities, the 35-year-old revealed that "Portland won my heart and I didn't choose to live in Kingston." She described Portland as a close-knit, family-oriented place, starkly contrasting the fast-paced nature of Kingston.

"I love the parish, I love just the lushness of it. It's just different, different from Kingston," she added.

Currently serving as the director of operations at PAVE (Portland Arts and Vocational Education Centre), Johnson has been instrumental in addressing the youth unemployment crisis in the region since its inception in 2018. Expressing her fulfilment in being able to offer opportunities to young adults, she emphasised, "It's a rewarding feeling and I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else."

For Johnson, the highlight of her role lies in witnessing the growth of the youth she mentors, particularly during their graduations.

"To watch them from where they started, to them graduating and looking ahead for greater milestones gives me that feeling of pride," she remarked.

Being a native of Portland and having experienced the challenges that come with living in the parish first-hand, Johnson resonates deeply with the community. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she operates Easi Projects Hardware and Variety Store, a small hardware in Port Antonio, providing employment opportunities for PAVE graduates.

Micah, Johnson's 10-year-old son, who has been involved with PAVE since birth, also rejoiced in his mother's success. "That award belongs to him," Johnson chuckled, recalling Micah's joy during the ceremony. "He looked so happy and was engulfed in the show. When I came down, he kissed me on the forehead and said, 'I am proud of you'."

Johnson's commitment to empowering youth extends beyond her professional duties, as she is often regarded as a big sister figure by the students at PAVE and the wider community.

"One student took the award and said, 'I feel so proud of myself [owning the award]', and I said, 'You should'," she shared.