JD Jackson

JD Jackson's smooth baritone masterfully captures characters' deep emotions—whether it's a gritty urban crime novel, evocative poetry, or the romance stories he voices under the name Jakobi Diem.

JD Jackson is a storyteller at heart, drawn to the quiet power of voice and the unseen labor that turns language into experience. His work lives at the intersection of performance, craft, and human presence, a sensibility shaped by a career that moves fluidly between actor, award-winning audiobook narrator, acting instructor, and emerging writer.

A classically trained actor with an MFA from Temple University and a BA from Dillard University, Jackson’s onscreen credits include guest and featured roles in major television series, as well as the feature film Lucky Number Slevin. As a prolific narrator, he has voiced more than 400 audiobooks across a wide range of genres, including historical nonfiction, young adult, mystery, and literary fiction. Recording under the name Jakobi Diem, he’s celebrated in the Black romance and erotica genres, with fans often referring to him as "The Voice of Black Romance." Known for emotional precision, restraint, and range, Jackson has narrated critically acclaimed titles for major publishers. His portfolio includes Pulitzer Prize–winning works, such as The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.

His extensive honors include an Odyssey Award, more than 30 AudioFile Earphones Awards, multiple Audie Awards, and an induction into AudioFile Magazine’s Golden Voices Hall of Fame. Named Booklist Magazine’s Voice of Choice, he recently received the Go On Girl! National Book Club’s inaugural Best Narration of the Year Award. As an educator, Jackson is deeply committed to teaching beginning acting. Working with students nationwide—from New York City to Los Angeles—his practical, trust-based technique helps performers of all ages and backgrounds build confidence, stage presence, and emotional clarity.