Desreta Jackson

Desreta Jackson (born April 19, 1971) is a Virgin Islander actress, producer and entrepreneur. She is best known for her role as Young Celie in the movie The Color Purple.[2]

Desreta Jackson
Born (1971-04-19) April 19, 1971
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
OccupationActress
Years active1985–present
Known forActress
Founder, Black Silk Products[1]
Notable workThe Color Purple[2]
Websitehttp://desretajackson.com/

Early life and education

Jackson was born in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and migrated to the United States at the age of nine. Her family settled in a skid row area of Los Angeles and her mother collected cans to support her. After two years, her mother found housing in South Central Los Angeles. After acting in a scene in a school play, she told her mother that she wanted to take drama classes. Her mother enrolled her in acting classes to keep her away from gang activity where they lived in California.[3]

After various roles in television and movies, Jackson earned a degree in directing from Los Angeles City College.[4]

Acting career

Jackson's career began after only a short time in acting school. She was at a casting call for The Color Purple when she was spotted by the producer Reuben Cannon and she was called back for more casting calls.[2] She was given the role of the young Celie Harris (with Whoopi Goldberg as adult Celie), who is forced to marry a wealthy young local widower (Danny Glover) who abuses her.[5]

Jackson continued her career with roles in both television and film.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1985 The Color Purple Young Celie [6]
1987 Mighty Pawns Lucy Made-for-TV movie starring Rosalind Cash, Shawn Harrison, and Desreta Jackson.
1989 Mancuso, F.B.I. Appeared in episode 2 ("Racial Matters"), broadcast on October 19, 1989.
1992 Sister Act Teenage Girl Minor role
2008 Creating Celebrity Self / Producer

Theater
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Andie
1996 Alien Garden

Personal life

Jackson is the founder of BlackSilk Products, a hair care product company that she launched in 2011. She began the business from home in 2002, making her own hair care products such as oils, hair treatments, shampoos and conditioners.[1][4]

References
  1. Cane, Clay (16 November 2010). "Exclusive: Desreta Jackson Talks Behind The Scenes Of Oprah's The Color Purple Reunion". BET. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  2. "Whoopi Goldberg And 25 Years Later: The Color Purple Reunion". The Oprah Winfrey Show. Chicago, IL. 15 November 2010. Syndicated.
  3. "Actors enrich roles with personal experiences". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City). November 1, 1996. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  4. "Poetic Justice – This Actress From The Movie The Color Purple Creates A Beauty Innovation To Protect Women's Health". Innotech Breakthroughs. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  5. Carr, Jay (19 July 1987). "Purple Powerful". The Boston Globe. HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  6. "Film: "The Color Purple," from Steven Spielberg". NY Times. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
    - Bogle, Donald (1989). Blacks in American films and television: an encyclopedia. Fireside. pp. 61, 150. ISBN 0671675389.
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