We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matthew Frazier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Matthew, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your creative services business?

Passport Destination started as an intersection of my passion for storytelling, my love for travel, and my deep desire to connect people with cultures and experiences around the world. Growing up in Memphis, my parents owned a African-American theatre company called Blues City Cultural Center. From an early age, I was immersed in the arts and storytelling, learning how narratives could bring people together and inspire change. At the same time, I found myself drawn to documenting life with my camera, whether it was skateboarding in the streets or capturing the vibrant culture around me.

The idea for Passport Destination really came into focus when I began traveling internationally. My first few trips were transformative—Berlin and Moscow, in particular, opened my eyes to how much there was to share about the beauty, challenges, and uniqueness of places that often don’t get the spotlight. Initially, I was nervous about traveling to places like Moscow, but I soon realized the power of stepping out of my comfort zone. Each journey deepened my skills as a videographer, editor, and storyteller.

The turning point came during a time of self-reflection. I realized I wanted to create something bigger than just personal experiences—I wanted to help cities, businesses, and communities tell their stories to the world. Passport Destination became a way to do just that. It allows me to showcase cities as must-visit destinations while promoting their culture, fashion, and innovation.

Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor.

The logic behind Passport Destination felt natural and inevitable. As a filmmaker and entrepreneur, I saw a gap in how cities and small businesses marketed themselves. There’s immense value in presenting authentic, visually stunning narratives that resonate with audiences. I knew I could succeed because I had a clear vision: merge storytelling with the tools of marketing and technology to help businesses thrive.

Early on, I collaborated with the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment to produce Passport Destination DC, which highlighted the city’s unique culture and attractions. I’ve also worked with organizations like the World Design Capital, showcasing their programs and the incredible work they do in cities across the globe. These experiences taught me the importance of amplifying local voices and provided me with the expertise to make an impact through creative storytelling.

What truly made this endeavor feel worthwhile, however, was the reaction from my audience. When people told me I had taken them to a place they had never been before—or even never thought about traveling to—it solidified the purpose behind Passport Destination. Knowing I could inspire curiosity, broaden perspectives, and make unfamiliar destinations feel accessible gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward.

On a smaller scale, working with local businesses has shown me how storytelling can transform perspectives and generate meaningful engagement. Whether it’s crafting city highlight videos or producing tailored content for businesses, I’ve been able to create value for my clients while staying true to my mission.

Ultimately, Passport Destination is more than a business; it’s a celebration of the richness of the world and the people within it. The challenges I’ve faced along the way have only strengthened my belief that this endeavor was—and still is—worthwhile.

Matthew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry, what type of products/services you provide, what problems you solve for your clients, and what sets you apart from others?

I’m Matt Frazier, a filmmaker, storyteller, and the creator of Passport Destination, a platform dedicated to showcasing cities, cultures, and businesses through visually stunning and compelling video content.

I’m originally from Memphis, where my parents owned a African-American theatre company called Blues City Cultural Center. Watching them bring stories to life instilled in me a deep love for storytelling and the arts. I grew up capturing my surroundings with a camera, documenting everything from skateboarding to the vibrant communities around me. These early experiences shaped my creative foundation and inspired me to pursue a career in filmmaking.

My journey took a major leap forward when I won a film competition, which gave me the confidence to take my passion for storytelling to a global scale. Over time, my love for travel intersected with my skills as a videographer, and that’s how Passport Destination was born. With this platform, we explore and document cities worldwide, highlighting their unique attractions, businesses, and cultural gems while promoting them as must-visit destinations.

At Passport Destination, we provide a variety of creative services tailored to meet our clients’ needs:

City Highlight Videos: Showcasing destinations as cultural and travel hubs.
Small Business Features: Social media reels and YouTube videos that help businesses connect with their audiences.
Social Media Management: Building and managing a brand’s digital presence through engaging content.

We work with small businesses through flexible packages, from quick social media reels to ongoing monthly management. For larger clients, we deliver comprehensive video productions that merge technology, culture, and fashion. We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with brands like Events DC and Visit Copenhagen, and our work has premiered at The Reach, part of the Kennedy Center, with projects such as Passport Destination: Tokyo, Copenhagen, and DC.

What sets us apart is the authenticity we bring to every project. Passport Destination isn’t just me; it’s a team of passionate storytellers who share a vision of crafting immersive, meaningful content. Together, we dive deep into the essence of each city or brand, creating experiences that resonate and leave a lasting impact.

What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of how Passport Destination has evolved into a platform that connects people and celebrates the beauty of the world. Our upcoming Liberia project, for instance, is deeply personal, capturing not just a journey but the emotional threads of heritage, family, and culture. I’m equally proud of past projects like Passport Destination: Copenhagen, which highlighted the city’s innovative spirit and timeless charm, and the exciting work ahead on the Passport Destination: Atlanta series, which will explore the vibrant neighborhoods and culture of my current home city.

What should potential clients, followers, and fans know about you and your brand?
Passport Destination is about more than creating beautiful videos. We believe in the power of stories to transform perspectives and create opportunities. Whether we’re producing a travel series, promoting a small business, or amplifying a city’s culture, our work is grounded in storytelling and connection.

When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a creative service—you’re joining a movement that celebrates life, culture, and innovation.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the greatest journeys of resilience for me was traveling to Taiwan to shoot *Passport Destination: Taipei*. It was an incredible experience, but it came with challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Many of the people I was interviewing didn’t speak English, so I had to learn a little Mandarin Chinese to communicate basic phrases. There were moments when I worked with a translator, but other times, I had to navigate the language barrier on my own. Those moments taught me what it truly means to step into another culture, to put myself in someone else’s shoes, and to be humbled by the opportunity to connect with them, even in their own language.

One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was the hospitality I encountered while shooting videos for local businesses. They were so appreciative of the work I was doing that they offered me free food and went out of their way to accommodate my needs. Their kindness and enthusiasm made all the challenges worthwhile and reminded me of why I do this work.

Stories like that make me deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with people through Passport Destination. These are the kinds of lifelong experiences that not only shape my perspective but also fuel my passion for telling stories that bridge cultures and bring people closer together.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. The mission behind my creative journey with Passport Destination is to bridge cultures, celebrate diversity, and inspire people to see the world through a fresh perspective. I believe that storytelling has the power to transform the way we view ourselves, our communities, and the wider world.

My goal is to use Passport Destination to highlight the unique stories of cities, businesses, and people across the globe. Whether I’m showcasing a bustling city like Tokyo, a hidden gem like Copenhagen, or the rich cultural tapestry of Liberia, my aim is to create content that connects audiences to places and cultures they may have never considered exploring.

Beyond inspiring travel, I want Passport Destination to be a platform that empowers small businesses, celebrates local creators, and gives a voice to underrepresented stories. It’s about showing the beauty in the everyday and uncovering the extraordinary in the familiar.

Ultimately, my mission is to inspire curiosity, foster connection, and remind people that the world is much smaller—and much more beautiful—when we take the time to listen to each other’s stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mkamericana.com/, https://www.passportdst.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkamericana/, https://www.instagram.com/passport.destination/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@passportdestination