Destiny D. Jackson

Destiny D. Jackson was born on April 17, 1989, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Lonita (Dolly) Temple-Jackson and Charles Jackson. On Friday, August 1, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, she left this earthly life far too soon. From the very beginning, Destiny’s leadership and internal drive set her apart. In 1993, she and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio where she was raised – a place where her joyful spirit and remarkable talents quickly began to shine.

She attended Devonshire Elementary School, Monroe Middle School and Centennial High School, where she excelled both academically and socially. At Centennial, she served proudly as captain of the cheerleading team and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Upon graduation in 2007, she went on to attend The Ohio State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Film with a minor in Women’s Studies. On campus, she immersed herself in organizations such as the Society of Sisters and the Ohio Union Activities Board, and she was recognized in the 8th edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus for her academic and community achievements.

Destiny was going places-- and everyone who crossed her path could see it. After graduation, Destiny continued her commitment to uplift her community and began her career at the Columbus Urban League as program manager. She later moved to New York City to pursue her dreams in the creative arts and took up residence in Brooklyn – a place that fueled her artistic, civic-minded spirit. Her passion for serving others was deeply rooted in her faith.

In 2017, she gave her life to the Lord and was baptized in Queens, New York, and became a devoted member of Providence Baptist Church and Grace Bible Church, where she was loved by all who knew and served alongside her. Destiny was an evangelist who loved sharing the good news of the Gospel, living it daily through her compassion, generosity, and the way she served the Lord.

Adding to the many hats she wore, Destiny was also a gifted Hollywood screenwriter and actress, recently celebrating the airing of her episode for the Peacock TV series, Team Mekbots: Animal Rescue (2023). She studied acting at the Identity School of Acting and founded Sisterhood Cinema, a vibrant resource and community for women in film that offered jobs, grants, internships and special content spotlighting women’s voices. Beyond the arts, she served as social media manager and dedicated her time volunteering at the Raven Homeless Shelter Ministry, offering kindness and hope to those in need. A former board member of the Cobble Hill Association in Brooklyn, she was beloved as a devoted neighbor and friend. Her love for people extended especially to children, a passion she brought to her role at Manhattan Christian Academy, where she was a teacher’s aide cherished by both students and colleagues.

A true Renaissance woman, Destiny could do it all! Well-traveled and endlessly creative, she poured passion and curiosity into everything she touched. Beyond her gift for writing, she loved carpentry, sewing, knitting, photography, thrifting and reselling. And her adventures took her across the globe -- to Brazil, South Africa, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, just to name a few.

Destiny was preceded in death by her father, Charles Jackson; her grandparents, Kenneth and Sharon Temple, and Valerie Jackson. She is survived by her loving mother, Lonita (Dolly) Temple-Jackson; her sisters, Dominique Jackson (San Diego, CA), TaNeesha Jackson (Cleveland, OH), and Tia Mason (West Palm Beach, FL); her brothers, Charles Jackson (Chandler, AZ), Cameron Brihm (Columbus, Ohio), and Terrence Brihm (Columbus, Ohio); her nephews, Charles Jackson Jr.(Atlanta, GA) and Chandler Jackson (Chandler, AZ) ; her aunts, Sequoia Temple (Dublin, OH), Joyce Temple (Cleveland, Ohio) Michele Jackson (Prince George’s County, MD), and La’Toya Smith-Morgan (Cleveland, OH); her uncles, John Temple, Darrell Jackson (Cleveland, OH), Daniel Jackson (Prince George’s County, MD), and Darius Smith (Cleveland, OH); her grandfather, Charles Jackson (Cleveland, OH); and a host of extended cousins, family, friends, and colleagues whose lives she touched with grace, humor, and generosity. Destiny’s life was a testament to love, creativity, service, and faith. She lived with grace, dignity, and generosity—always uplifting others, always chasing beauty, and always leaving the world better than she found it.

She will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a light who inspired all who had the privilege to know her.

Well done, Destiny.

Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Funeral Service for Destiny will be held at Schoedinger Northwest at 10:30am on Friday, August 15, 2025, where burial will follow at Union Cemetery.