Where Purpose Meets Performance: Helki Jackson

Interview Terrell “ReaLife” Black Photography Clarence White for @idefineprogress

From the stages of Detroit to the global stage of community advocacy, Helki is a rare blend of artist, activist, educator, and healer. Her journey is a powerful testament to how creativity, when rooted in purpose, can be a vehicle for transformation—not just of self, but of communities and cultures. Whether she’s commanding a role on screen, leading youth through her nonprofit DRIVE, or sparking global conversations on mental health and equity, Helki moves with intentionality and depth. She isn’t just performing for applause; she’s performing for impact. Through her work with respected acting coaches, major institutions like the University of Michigan, and groundbreaking platforms like Taboo Talks and Next Level Speakers Academy, Helki is shaping a legacy defined by faith, resilience, and radical love. In a time when authenticity is often filtered, Helki shows up as her whole self—unapologetically—and invites others to do the same.

In this intimate and wide-ranging conversation with VALIDATED, Helki opens up about the experiences that shaped her—from her early days in Detroit’s vibrant arts scene to her current roles as a mental health advocate, creative entrepreneur, and international speaker. She reflects on the lessons that guided her, the communities that inspired her, and the unwavering mission that fuels her work: to help others find power in their story, purpose in their pain, and healing through honest expression. This isn’t just an interview—it’s a blueprint for turning passion into purpose and artistry into legacy.

VALIDATED: Helki, your journey began in Detroit and has taken you through some of the most respected theaters and institutions. What initially drew you to the performing arts?

HELKI: I was always creative and active as a kid writing, acting, dancing, and even playing sports, which I see as its own form of performance. Performing has been a part of me since the age of five. It turned into a therapeutic outlet for me, and then eventually just became a part of my identity.

VALIDATED: You studied Telecommunications and Film as well as Business Management—how have those fields influenced your approach to acting and leadership today?

HELKI: Studying Film opened my eyes to an entirely new side of acting.. its technique, timing, and creative depth. It’s very different from theater and deserves its own kind of respect. In college, I was originally planning to work in news, so I was encouraged to minor in Business. I ended up really enjoying my Business classes and realizing I had a natural talent for it. Since then, I’ve always looked for ways to merge business and creativity. That mindset led to creating my latest youth program, “UNSCRIPTED”, through my nonprofit DRIVE. It focuses on helping young people connect creativity with purpose and profit. Business and creativity have become the foundation of my career, shaping both my leadership and the messages I share through my work.

VALIDATED: You’ve worked with respected acting coaches like Kenshaka Ali, Shiek Muhamed Bey, King Wesley, and Guy Sanville. What’s one lesson from them that still guides your performances? 

HELKI: Each coach I’ve worked with is unique, and I’ve learned so much from every one of them, including some not mentioned here. To me, a great coach is someone who not only helps you grow in your craft but also leaves you with a life lesson you carry with you beyond the stage or screen. Here are a few lessons that stuck with me, lessons I use in both acting and life:

Kenshaka: Always stay true to yourself.

Shiek: Be brave enough to be vulnerable.

King: Always look at things from a 360-degree perspective.

Guy: No one is going to give you anything, you have to earn it.

And my favorite takeaway: “Life is hard. Show business is harder.” lol 

VALIDATED: Your resume includes theater, film, modeling, and even behind-the-scenes work in media. How do you balance your artistic expression across all these formats?

HELKI: I always try to bring my own style and personality into everything I create. One rule I’ve promised myself to live by is this: I have to feel like it’s me, I need to be able to see myself in the work, and I must genuinely believe in it. That way, I know I’ve done my best. Even if I’m the only one who ever sees it, I’m satisfied, and as an artist, that’s what matters most to me. 

VALIDATED: Having appeared in projects that screened at Sundance and other major platforms, what does success look like for you now—especially after your pivot toward purpose?

HELKI: Success has taken on a deeper meaning for me. I’m now more driven by giving back and community outreach than by constant grinding. I believe I’m beginning to reap the harvest of seeds I planted years ago, and that motivates me to keep planting more for a greater impact. My efforts have expanded internationally, including supporting communities in South Africa through food programs, building educational facilities, and helping youth gain access to equal opportunities. I also hope to connect with African filmmakers whose work spreads powerful, positive messages, and contribute to the creative scene in a meaningful way.

VALIDATED: Detroit’s creative scene is strong and distinct. What’s it like building your career in such a culturally rich yet often overlooked city for the arts?

HELKI: Detroit has the most flavor, and I’m not being biased. I’ve been to a lot of places, so I feel like I can say that, as my personal opinion. The city helped shape my style and kept me hungry. I could always look around and see people of all ages grindin and hustlin and lookin good while doin it lol. It’s called the home of the resilient for a reason. Detroit earned its name and stays true to it, so being around that kind of energy, you can’t help but take to it, and that’s exactly what the City taught me: resilience and authenticity. This is a self-made city, a place of innovative creators and entrepreneurs. Inspiration is literally everywhere, often right beside you. Some of the dopest, most underrated talent is here, and I’ve had the unique privilege of working with many of them. It’s shown me that artists here are driven more by their passion and dedication rather than the applause. I know Detroit will get the recognition it deserves once again, and I feel blessed to be part of this new era.

VALIDATED: At the height of your acting career, you shifted gears to found DRIVE, a nonprofit focused on youth empowerment. What inspired that decision?

HELKI: Right before I started DRIVE, I found myself involved in creative projects that had real meaning and purpose. At the same time, I was working in the public school system while pursuing acting, and I noticed a clear need among young people, not just to talk about critical issues, but to express their experiences with their own voices. Creating DRIVE became a mission to provide youth with that outlet.. a platform where they could speak powerfully to their peers and communities, while also creating original projects and practicing professionalism. If I had access to something like DRIVE when I was younger, I know I would have made better choices (but that's a different interview lol) That’s essentially DRIVE’s mission: empowering youth to make better decisions and be driven to excel through resilience, expression, and purpose.

VALIDATED: How has your work with DRIVE and the University of Michigan’s Center for Educational Outreach and University of Michigan’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching changed your understanding of storytelling?

HELKI: Initially, DRIVE focused on life skills and current social issues. But during my time at UM, I gained a deeper understanding of educational access and outreach. This experience sparked a growing passion for advocating representation and equity, not just in schools and on college campuses, but also in corporate spaces. It also led to the development of my newest project, Taboo Talks (currently in progress), which explores how Mental Health influences the way we Connect and Communicate at home and in the workplace. I facilitate this dialogue through diverse forms of storytelling like theater, writing and podcasting. But my work with U-M has shaped my approach to storytelling, pushing me to confront biases and stereotypes, while encouraging my audience to take action and be part of the solution. That charge or "call to action" is at the core of most of the messages I share.

VALIDATED: You speak frequently about mental health, especially in underserved communities. How do the arts support mental wellness in ways traditional systems might not?

HELKI: The performing arts, and even activities like sports or simply staying active, can be powerful tools for supporting mental health. Art serves as an outlet for many people, even for those who don’t consider themselves artists. It can be therapeutic, healing, and a healthy hobby, as I mentioned I discovered as a kid.

As part of my calling as a mental health advocate and Masters in Psych candidate, I’m passionate about promoting the importance of mental health and challenging the stigma, especially in communities of color. I believe the arts can serve as both a catalyst and a bridge for starting meaningful conversations about mental health education and awareness. Through theater, I create space to explore topics that are often overlooked or uncomfortable to discuss. This approach helps audiences see mental health as a safe and healthy practice - not something to fear or avoid. It also exposes people to different perspectives, encouraging openness and understanding.

VALIDATED: What does representation mean to you—and how do you fight to maintain it in your creative and outreach work?

HELKI: Being Native American and of West Indian descent, I often get asked, “What are you?” and honestly, I’m never offended. I see it as an opportunity to share my background and culture with someone who’s genuinely curious. I believe we should all feel empowered to do the same.

To me, representation means taking up space in places of influence especially in areas like government, medicine, education, and urban planning. It’s about ensuring that diverse voices are not only present but actively shaping the systems that impact our communities. In my creative and outreach work, I’m intentional about making sure that voice is both seen and heard. I believe representation requires consistent advocacy, and I use every project as a platform to help keep that voice alive and visible.

VALIDATED: You’re now part of the Next Level Speakers Academy as an International Liaison and Speaker. What message are you most passionate about delivering on those stages?

HELKI: Right now, the message I'm most passionate about is the importance of giving back, and being someone who contributes meaningfully to both yourself and your community in every way. For my youth audiences, I want them to understand the power they have in their decisions, and that every choice they make can shape their future. For all my other audiences, much of my message is rooted in a scripture I live by: Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." This verse guides much of my storytelling and often translates into themes of hope, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and resilience. I have a deep love for fighting for the underdog, because I see myself in that story.

VALIDATED: You’re also currently pursuing a Master’s in Psychology—how do you envision merging your academic training with your artistic and advocacy work going forward?

HELKI: My overall message centers on resilience, and I use that to promote both effective communication and mental health awareness. As I pursue my Master’s in Psychology, I’m committed to merging this academic training with my creative work on stage, in film, through writing, producing, public speaking, and podcasting. I plan to continue using these platforms to highlight the connection between mental health and communication. This includes my two newest initiatives: Taboo Talks, a podcast and theater troupe that explores the intersections of mental health and communication, and a thought-provoking film script currently in development. Through these projects, I aim to create space for open dialogue, healing, and empowerment.

VALIDATED: With so many Detroit creatives building independently, what do you look for in collaborators and projects today?

HELKI: I look for purposeful projects and collaborators who are innovative, intentional, and like-minded. I’m drawn to original, authentic ideas that carry meaning because I see those kinds of projects as gifts from above and an opportunity to create something that will never be done like that again, and that truly matters.

VALIDATED: What role do you believe storytelling plays in healing—both personally and collectively?

HELKI: As a mental health and wellness advocate, I believe storytelling plays a powerful role in healing, both personally and collectively. We all need an outlet, but more importantly, we need to talk openly about what’s bothering us. Communication is the key to healing. Whether it's with a trusted friend, a therapist, or through creative expression, speaking your truth helps lighten the emotional load and bring clarity. For some, storytelling comes through acting, poetry, or other art forms. Personally, I see therapy itself as a form of storytelling as you’re recalling life events and sharing them as a narrative. On a collective level, when we share our experiences as a group such as in group therapy or Taboo Talks, we learn from one another, find connection, and create space for healing together.  

VALIDATED: If young people were to take one thing away from your journey—from stage to screen to service—what would you want that to be?

HELKI: “Stage to screen to service” I love that, because it perfectly reflects the path I would encourage young people to follow. First, be who you were created to be. Then, grow, evolve, and expand your gifts. And finally, give back. If there’s one message I’d leave them with, it’s this.. Be a Tree. lol as simple as it sounds: Be planted in purpose, grow in your potential, and then give back to nourish others.

VALIDATED: Looking ahead, what’s one dream role or initiative you haven’t tackled yet but would love to?

HELKI:  One of my biggest dreams right now is to earn my Doctorate degree. It would allow me to better educate our communities and lead larger, more impactful initiatives that truly serve and uplift us. I also made a promise to my daddy before he passed that I would achieve this in his honor. So without a doubt, it's going to get done.   

VALIDATED: How would you define your legacy if you stopped everything tomorrow?

HELKI: Faith, Hope and Love. My three lifelines I live by daily, and I hope others can see that fruit in me. 1 Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love; Romans 8:28: All things work together for the good of those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose.

VALIDATED: Where can fans and readers connect with you on social media to show their support? 

HELKI: @helkijackson @helkijempowers @driveyouthorg