Desreta Jackson facts for kids

Desreta Jackson was born on April 19, 1971. She is an actress, producer, and businesswoman from the British Virgin Islands. Many people know her best for playing Young Celie in the famous movie The Color Purple.

Early Life and Education

Desreta Jackson was born in Tortola, which is part of the British Virgin Islands. When she was nine years old, her family moved to the United States. They settled in Los Angeles. Her mother worked hard to support the family.

After some time, her mother found better housing in South Central Los Angeles. Desreta discovered her love for acting after performing in a school play. She told her mother she wanted to take drama classes. Her mother enrolled her in acting classes. This helped Desreta stay focused and away from problems in their neighborhood.

Later in her life, Desreta Jackson studied directing. She earned a degree from Los Angeles City College.

Acting Career

Desreta Jackson's acting career started very quickly. She had only been in acting school for a short time. She went to an audition for the movie The Color Purple. The producer, Reuben Cannon, noticed her right away. She was called back for more auditions.

She was chosen to play the role of Young Celie Harris. The older Celie was played by Whoopi Goldberg. In the movie, Celie is a young girl who faces many challenges. She is forced to marry a wealthy man (Danny Glover) who treats her badly. This role made Desreta Jackson well-known.

After The Color Purple, Jackson continued to act. She appeared in both television shows and other movies.

Movies and TV Shows

Theater Performances

Personal Life and Business

Beyond acting, Desreta Jackson is also a successful businesswoman. She is the founder of BlackSilk Products. This is a company that makes hair care products.

She started her business from home in 2002. She made her own hair oils, treatments, shampoos, and conditioners. In 2011, she officially launched BlackSilk Products.