Trevor Jackson isn’t just adding another credit to his already impressive resume—he’s expanding his impact. With his recent casting on “Grey’s Anatomy”, Jackson continues to evolve as an actor, artist, and advocate. In a recent conversation with BlackDoctor.org, he opened up about everything from character development and storytelling to self-love, social change, and the deeper meaning behind his work.
A Bold New Chapter on Grey’s Anatomy
Known for his breakout role as Aaron on “Grown-ish”, Jackson now steps into the world of the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy”. His new character? An intelligent, but arrogant man in his late 20s, who has just moved to Seattle.
“He’s got a little fire to him. He definitely comes off as a bit of a know-it-all…I’m really excited to see where his character goes,” Jackson shares.
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He doesn’t take roles like this lightly. Every opportunity is a chance to grow—not just as a performer, but as a person.
“I’m super grateful to be part of such an amazing show, surrounded by so many talented people,” he says. “There’s so much inspiration from Grown-ish, Grey’s Anatomy, and all the projects I’ve worked on. Even if it’s a bad experience, there’s always something positive to take away.”
From subtle camera angles to creative script choices, Jackson soaks up every detail.
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“Something as small as tilting my head when the camera’s here—or reading a script and thinking, ‘Ooh, I’ve never started a scene like that’—it’s cool. When I’m creating music videos or writing scripts, those experiences definitely give me inspiration. It’s all part of the work, and I love doing it for as long as I can.”
Championing Representation Through Personal Experience
Outside of entertainment, Jackson has taken on another powerful role: advocate. The 28-year-old recently partnered with Eli Lilly on an eczema awareness campaign for its drug EBGLYSS® (lebrikizumab-lbkz), newly approved in the U.S. as a first-line biologic treatment for moderate-to-severe eczema in adults and children 12 and older.
This campaign hits close to home. His father and cousin both live with moderate-to-severe eczema, and he’s witnessed firsthand how misunderstood the condition can be, especially in communities of color.
“When they were growing up—especially my dad—he didn’t know it was eczema. He probably just thought it was dry, itchy skin,” he explains. “Slowly, he realized it was something more. His doctor eventually diagnosed him with moderate to severe eczema.”
Now collaborating with Eli Lilly—a company headquartered in Indiana, Jackson’s home state—the partnership feels like a “natural fit.”
The campaign aligns with Jackson’s values of representation, confidence, and unity.
“We both share similar goals: helping people feel comfortable in their own skin, feel confident, and work toward unifying the world so that everyone feels seen and represented.”
That shared vision is part of why he chose to move forward with the collaboration.
“I always want to be connected to projects, movements, and products that align with those values. That’s what their mission is with eczema and the company as a whole. It aligns with what I stand for, so I definitely wanted to partner with them, and I can’t wait to see what we create together.”
Redefining Strength for Black Men
Nearly 16.5 million Americans live with atopic dermatitis—commonly known as eczema—and 40 percent have moderate-to-severe symptoms. But how it presents can vary significantly by skin tone. Red patches in lighter skin may appear gray, purple, or dark brown in darker skin, often leading to delayed diagnoses and prolonged suffering.
As a Black man, Jackson knows how rare it is to admit when something’s wrong. He hopes this campaign changes that.
“We want to act like we have it all under control and avoid anything that makes us seem vulnerable—it chips away at our armor. But it’s important to talk about these things. Being able to identify what’s going on, talking to doctors, and getting treatment is crucial. And for someone with darker skin who’s never seen someone like them on TV or in a commercial with the same condition—it makes a big difference,” he says.
That message hits home for Jackson in a deeply personal way.
“It takes seeing someone who looks like me—who understands my journey—for me to feel like, ‘Hey, I can do that too.’ Representation is so important. Again, it reinforces that message of unity. That’s what the world desperately needs—every second of every day,” he adds.
That sense of connection and resilience isn’t just theoretical for him—it’s something he witnessed firsthand in the people he loves.
“When I saw my dad and my cousin in certain situations and how they still pushed through—their fear, their uncertainty, whatever it was—it really stuck with me,” Jackson says. “It definitely gave me that same kind of motivation when I faced something in my life that I wasn’t super confident about or wasn’t sure how to handle. It helped me face those moments with my own sense of determination and strength,” he adds.
As part of the campaign, Jackson also recorded a rendition of Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love”, launched during the Grammys as part of EBGLYSS®’s direct-to-consumer rollout.
“It’s such a legendary, strong lesson tied to an iconic artist—and to put my own spin on it while partnering with Eli Lilly, it just felt like everything aligned. It was synergy. One of those moments where everything comes together at the right place, at the right time.”
Staying Grounded
Even with rising fame, Jackson stays grounded through simple routines.
“Playing video games helps me a lot—it keeps me out of trouble too. I’m really good at it. It’s kind of like my way to decompress. After all the work and stress, I can just sit back and relax. Plus, it’s a community—I get to talk to my cousins, talk to my family…who might be in another state,” he shares.
The gym is another anchor for both body and mind. Surfing, too. And massages—though he admits he doesn’t get those nearly enough.
Born Art: Creating With a Message
Jackson isn’t just an actor and musician—he’s building something bigger: Born Art, a creative platform and production company co-founded with his mother and brother. The mission? Affirming self-worth and countering toxic social pressures.
“It all began one day when I was in a store, and the name just came to me—Born Art,” he says. “At the time, I was seeing a lot of teens committing suicide, and I was like, Why is this happening? Why do people feel like they’re not enough, like they’re not seen or accepted?”
The name speaks volumes.
“Born Art represents the idea that you’re born exactly the way you’re meant to be,” he shares. You’re born loved. You’re born beautiful. You’re born art. And whatever it is you want to do in life—again, it ties into what we’ve been talking about—it’s about being confident, knowing that you’re enough. Everything you see on your phone or online—if you don’t look like that or you’re not those things, you’re still enough. You’re still good,” he shares.
That same philosophy guides the content he creates—movies, music, and everything in between.
“It may not look or sound like everything else out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful or any less important. That’s why Born Art is such a deeply personal project for me—I want to spread that message,” he adds.
He plans to keep growing the platform—signing artists, producing films, and releasing more music that speaks to the mission.
Music That Hits Harder
Jackson is also currently working on his next album, which will be his most personal yet.
“I’m very, very excited. I’m close to dropping the next album—very close. It’s the most vulnerable I’ve ever been, and also the fastest I’ve ever written one,” he says. “I wrote the whole album in about two weeks. I was going through a lot, and it just poured out of me.”
He promises emotional storytelling—and impact.
“I’m very excited to start releasing tidbits of the album, and I’m always working on new stuff. Every day I’m making a new song. But yes, the next album is coming this year. I’m still storytelling…just have a tissue box ready and maybe a tub of ice cream when you listen,” he says.
A Legacy Built on Freedom
When asked about his legacy, Jackson doesn’t hesitate:
“The legacy I hope to build is one of freedom—freedom from anything that’s keeping you from becoming who you truly want to be in this life. I see so many people stuck in jobs they hate, or just living in misery because they feel like they have to, and I don’t want that for anyone,” he concludes. “I want people to live in love.”
That vision of freedom is closely tied to joy, authenticity, and purpose—values Jackson tries to embody every day.
“Do something you love. Be around people you love. That kind of life creates a happier environment and a more balanced existence. So yeah—freedom. Freedom to do whatever you want to do, as long as you’re not harming others. And if that’s what you’re chasing, I fully support it,” he concludes.
