D’Angelo Jackson

Generously Sponsored By: Clover
Age, at time of internship: 18
CIT Intern: 2018
Restaurant Host: Chop Bar
Wraparound Program Tennyson High School
D’Angelo’s Story: Growing up wasn’t the easiest thing, my mom died when I was about the age of 5-6. Lost my auntie around that time too. My grandma took my brothers and my cousin in and raised us like her own. Growing up as a kid after losing my mother, I was confused because I didn’t understand what death was. For days at a time, I would hate that I couldn’t say good night or good morning to my mother. I had all these emotions I couldn’t express or filter, so I kept everything to myself. Going into my teen years, my whole family was forced to live in a motel for a year while we looked for a new home. That year was tough on me because It was my first year in high school. I tried my best to fight the emotion and sadness, kept my grades up as best as I could. All I ever want to do in life is to make people happy, make them enjoy themselves. If that’s through cooking, performing music or taking pictures, it doesn’t matter as long as I can see that smile on their face. Everything I do is for my mother, she’s the one who’s been keeping me strong throughout life. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.