Jawan Jackson
Born and raised in the heart of Motown, Jawan M. Jackson is a proud native of Detroit, Michigan. An actor, singer, radio personality and voiceover artist, Jawan made his professional debut in Broadway’s Record-Breaking Smash Hit: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Jawan began his career as a radio personality for Detroit’s top radio station WGPR Hot 107.5 FM. Upon graduation, he successfully helped develop and execute a program for high school students with a passion for pursuing a career in the arts.
For the 2018/2019 Broadway season, Jawan is starring as Melvin Franklin in the Temptations bio-musical, AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS. Prior to the upcoming Broadway run, Jawan has performed in AIN’T TOO PROUD at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto and Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre. AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS follows The Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The musical features the group’s hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and more. Jawan M. Jackson transforms into Melvin Franklin in a poignant and unforgettable performance. Also, included in the cast are Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, James Harkness as Paul Williams, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, and Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin.
On television, Jawan has appeared on the 2013 Tony Awards, Netflix’s THE GET DOWN, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL, JULY 4TH PBS SPECIAL, ARETHA FRANKLIN’S BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA & Ebony Magazine’s Hall-of-Fame Honoring Berry Gordy, to name a few. His film credits include SPARKLE AND LOVE THYSELF. Jawan’s theatre credits also include MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, BUD, NOT BUDDY, THE ROLE MODEL and THE TRANSFORMATION.
Once approached by the late-great Whitney Houston, Jawan was given advice that he carries throughout his career: “Put God first, stand on the foundation that was set for you and love everyone.”
Jawan is currently residing in NY during the AIN’T TOO PROUD theatrical run and, just as he did in Detroit, he is becoming involved with charities that expose young people to the beauty of music, such as Rosie’s Theater Kids, Music Unites, VH1 Save the Music and the All Stars Project where he will continue to pay it forward.
