Akil Jackson

This shoot was a test run in vulnerability… The hardest part of my professional creative career has been so surprising for me. It wasn’t the FIRST step, like breaking into the industry is for so many. It’s the LAST, physically smallest, and arguably most necessary one: Accepting that I’m an actor now and understanding what that means. I didn’t get here the “normal” way. Nothing about my story is standard even by Hollywood metrics, but one thing remains true for all of us that choose the riskier path: at some point, you’re gonna have to face the parts of you that you don’t wanna face. Ironically enough for me, being in front of the camera lens has been one of those difficulties. It’s not that I dislike it or shyness…it’s the permanence of it…moments captured by others that now no longer belong to you. As a fiercely present person in my own story, giving that away has always been a challenge. But thanks to @freedaniel and his Mastery and the Most High whom I serve: Challenge Accepted. 😈 You can’t tell me nothin. Onward.

July 5th, 2019. Exactly 5 years ago today I got in my car and left my home in Georgia to continue pursuing my acting career in Los Angeles. I crossed the country alone with only a promise of a temporary PA gig on a show called Grown-ish and an air-bnb for a week. 5 years later, and with all humility, I am undoubtedly one of the most capable filmakers in Hollywood. I can do things on film sets that 50-year vets in the industry tell me they’ve never seen before, and it’s all because Yahweh has been directing my steps since my Mother promised they’d return to Him. And now, at 5 years, I truly feel Him telling me that my time behind the camera has largely come to an end. Though I’ve loved becoming an AD, I’ve blossomed into a powerful storyteller… And I’m here to tell stories. So here’s 5 years edited down to 3 minutes and 16 seconds. Cheers to going where I’m called without hesitation. 🤙🏿

I don’t often celebrate myself or get celebrated for what I achieve…I just keep my head down and quietly do my job. But Today I looked up and realized something… My peers are the best in the world. I’m humbled to serve a God who’s ALWAYS celebrated me, because in the words of my first and best professional mentor, @dileotheresa , “The reward for hard work is more hard work.” Looking back with thankfulness. Onward in faith.

My Brother. From my first movie all the way to our next. ✊🏿✊🏻 featuring my new “sexy shirt” 😂 #GUILTY #COMINGSOON 👩🏿‍⚖️🤫😉 @michaelanthony111

It’s March 4th. March forth. ✊🏿 This is not an original. @joshuahsoup , I don’t know you, Sir, but I watch your video at least weekly and got inspired to try it with a group of strangers. I claim to have done your rendition NO JUSTICE, brother…I’m not a vocalist…but if I can’t sing I’ll die. March on, friends. ✊🏿 (@kelceyhenderson Meeting you there that night was the best icing on a perfect cake. Thanks for recording) #BlackAintHistory #HereEveryMonth #NOTASINGER 😂

Boundary Waters is my favorite film project I’ve ever done, and my absolute favorite God-Hollywood story to tell. It was 2023 and I was buying ravioli from the store by my house in Los Angeles around 1pm when my phone rang. An ambitious, independent production all the way in Minnesota needed a strong leader to help finish the run and @desirelashay had NO BUSINESS thinking of lil ol me, but she did. By 5pm that SAME DAY I was sitting on a plane out of LAX with nothing but some hastily packed bags and my Bible. I landed at midnight in Minneapolis, woke up, caught a 4 hour ride to Ely, MN, and proceeded to meet and adventure with some of the bravest, most talented, most dedicated humans I’ve ever met for the next 4 weeks. This show was a consecration of sorts for me. I don’t believe in imposter syndrome anymore, but I often wonder wtf I’m doing in charge of certain things sometimes 😅 That was NOT the case shooting Boundary Waters. During my 4 weeks assisting on this show, God showed me what it means to literally be invincible with Him. I was EVERYWHERE on that set, and in return He showed me the Northern Lights dance in the sky. He tied a rainbow over Lake Superior. He taught me stillness by the edge of a lake. He showed me that Cowboys still run the West. He showed me that a famous Director can be fierce AND kind. He showed me that a dedicated crew can do ANYTHING when led well, and I gained an entirely new appreciation for the song “Summer Lovin.” 😂 But the ultimate jewel was being able to observe and be observed by this young man: @etiennekellici . Little brother you put on a clinic in acting with sincerity, and an even more impressive performance as a human being. I grew from watching you, and stood taller being watched by you. I promise to continue to strive to be an example of our Big Brother ✝️ to you young men and ladies as long as you, @zelalemara , and the others continue to watch, learn, and teach. I present to you…Boundary Waters. My favorite adventure so far. Thank you, Father. @rossbrett , Miss being by your side. @michellemoorezup We’re jumping in next time. 🌊 (And no. I never got to eat my ravioli.)

Ladies and gentlemen….We got him. 😈 Throwing a surprise party for a man this smart was difficult. Thanks to my Mother and sister, we were able to make it fun and effortless. To all who came to celebrate my Father, Thank You. He has chosen CELEBRATION as this year’s word. Your son is in line. 🫡 Be celebrated first among us. A MASSIVE “Thank You” to The Draft Room at Berwick for receiving and serving my family well, and a special thanks to my brother Jeremy Brewton and my favorite, @my.uhhh_ for being family to me anytime I’m in that space. And lastly, to Jordan, who psychically handled the service of our ENTIRE party with grace, levity, and skill, THANK YOU. I LOVE where you got your necklace, brother. Me next ☕️ Happy Birthday, daddy. That was only the FIRST celebration of the year. More to come. Amen.

Happy Birthday…to the man who has always applauded me even as he carried me on his back. I pray you know Celebration and Healing in the name of Our Father. You are quite literally the strongest man I know. Amen. 🥹

Two very important things happened on my spontaneous birthday trip to my hometown. Firstly, Yahweh inspired, protected, and as of February 1st, 2025, consecrated a covenant promise between two of His sons and Himself. Selah. I am not a classroom learner. I sit at the feet and table of the masters in the room and serve until there are no masters left worthy. Then i make space for my parents, if able, until I am exited when the next room is prepped for service. It’s a recurring rhythm in my life. Yahweh has provided , and I have officially accepted this chapter’s next master, and it’s about to be long one. ✊🏿This weekend was a celebration brother. And it was all on the house, thanks to Reese. A prophecy. We have all we need. Selah. Secondly, In confirmation, God brought me back in power and prayer to the house of one of the first and finest Masters I have ever served at the feet of: Chef David Carrier of @woodsidessi and @certifiedburgers . You’ve seen The Menu. You’ve seen The Bear. You’ve seen Burnt (if you’re old like me). My friends made those projects. I LIVED it. At the feet this man, serving together in proportional humility at the most highly starred establishment in the world. Look at this Kitchen. Hear this symphony. Observe this Maestro’s command. This is the benefit of serving the master. You get to share in the flavor of his experience. You are gifted a taste of his pride. You absorb a sense of his DNA. You are shown the ingredients of his genius, and you become sharper…just by serving in the house. This man was NOT soft with me. He pushed me and challenged me and quite literally had to look down to see me. This man gave life to me when he himself was bleeding. In Jesus name, let the return on your investment be GREAT. Be released and unburdened by paper fears. I speak abundance and inspiration over you and Ryan in His name. Move forward in faith, Chef. A WAVE is coming. ✊🏿 Thank you for welcoming me back home into your kitchen. Ya haven’t changed a bit 🥹 CHOOSE YOUR MASTERS and SERVE THEM WELL. The enemy had to make that look like a bad thing, but Master is returning. Be the one cleaning His house when He cracks open the sky.

🤎This right here. This right here. Today, February 1st, is my birthday…and that has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with this right here. This contract, signed and upheld in His Blood, between this Man and his Woman. This Woman and her Man, before Yahweh Almighty and on His Credit, Selah, Walking together in the Garden of God’s Glory and Grace…clothed in the same humility as their ancestry…Walking under the gaze of same Father. He is pleased with you. Rest. Selah. Your fruits are sweeeet. Taste and see. Thank you, Daddy and Mommy, for allowing me to arrive here through you and giving me what you had since. I LOVE this life, and I love using the wisdom you’ve fostered in me to be a brother. I pray I’m making you proud. 🥹 Because it’s an Honor to be your son. I carry our banners high…because you’re still holding hands.🤎

I have no massive post to commemorate 2024. I’ll sift through pictures and share the gems at some point but for now that task is daunting. What I DO know is this: God carried me last year…to new heights and from new depths, Yah sent His son to lead and retrieve me to and from places I couldn’t have climbed on my own. I am full of humble gratitude for Yeshua’s reckless love pursuing me. And though I have innumerable people to thank for pouring into me, I can say with zero doubt that I’ve NO CLUE where I’d be without you, @_whatsthetiff . You know what you did for me. May God continue to rain abundant blessings on you and your home for your graciousness and your sacrifice. Thank you. 🥹 These shirts were unplanned but perfect. (@51_leahplar don’t even start…) It’s a gift to serve a God who cares this much. This year will be no different. Amen.

*deep breath* 😮‍💨 Here it is. This was my first lead role since I truly accepted myself as an actor. We shot this almost 3 years ago, and now that I can finally share it, I barely even want to. Not because I’m afraid or because I’m not proud. I’m endlessly thankful to Yahweh for connecting me to such fierce filmmakers as @dylannshots and Brendan Carretero, and I truly think we created a BEAUTIFUL film together… No. It’s because I’m barely even this man anymore. The most difficult part of artistry for me is giving away the work. The artist AND the art each become something different the moment they part from one another, and sometimes the intimacy of self meeting self ends up being difficult to want to submit to the world. But like I said, that was 3 years ago…and I’m a different man. 😈 For your enjoyment, I present our award winning film and my freshman foray into acting, Don’t Worry About Tomorrow. Written, Co-Directed, and Edited by my friends and colleagues Brendan Carretero and Dylan Martin A special thanks to producer @jamieohlsen for believing in us. To DP @ryanramsey for stepping onto the floor alone with me for my debut dance. And ESPECIALLY to 1st AC @corey_cave . We had NO IDEA where we were going with this in the room on the day, and in my opinion, your mastery of focus became its own character in the film. Thank you. 🥹 My sophomore year finna snap. #NOTFORKIDS #PROFANITYWARNING #bestactor @mammothfilmfestival