Biography
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gil Jackson has always been a testament to resilience, vision, and the quiet power of change. Tested as gifted at the age of six, Gil was raised by a single mother and deeply rooted in Christian values as the grandson of a pastor. He was taught to see the world not through the limitations of race, but through the boundless possibilities of faith, character, and humanity. That early lens would shape his life-and ultimately, his calling in the arts.
From private Christian schools to public classrooms across Los Angeles, Gil's love for music, storytelling, and performance grew deeper with every step. Though opportunities called to him as a gifted young singer and performer, a lack of support in his youth delayed-but never denied-his dreams. Music and artistry remained alive within him, awaiting their season.
Gil's artistic journey was forever marked by his friendship with the late singer Alori Joh, the powerhouse vocalist behind Kendrick Lamar's seminal projects Section.80 and Overly Dedicated. Her tragic passing in 2012 led Gil to take a step back from entertainment, embarking on a personal journey to find himself, heal, and redefine his purpose.
That path ultimately led him back to the heart of the industry-but this time, with a deeper mission. After meeting influential executives while working in Beverly Hills' fashion world, Gil reignited his career, not only producing events but planting seeds of lasting change. Seeing firsthand how much the world has benefited from the talent and brilliance of BIPOC communities, especially Black men, he chose to take action rather than simply seek opportunity.
Gil founded Men of Color Unite (MOCU), a nonprofit organization devoted to creating sustainable pathways into entertainment and media for BIPOC men of all ages. Through MOCU, Gil has worked to build equity, partnership, and a new standard for what inclusion truly means-moving beyond conversation into measurable change.
Along the way, he has had the honor of collaborating with some of the most talented artists and prolific companies on the planet, including Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Matthew A. Cherry, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, AMC, Lexus, Walton Isaacson, and KJLH Radio. His work reflects a profound belief: that the dream Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of lives not just in speeches, but in the daily, tireless effort to make it real-for everyone.
Today, Gil Jackson is based in Los Angeles, CA, continuing to create, perform, and build bridges between art and humanity. As a multi-hyphenate artist and advocate, he invites filmmakers, storytellers, and visionaries across the world to join him in championing a future where talent is honored, opportunity is shared, and dreams are never delayed again.
