Hobbies: ‘The beauty and majesty of nature and engaging conversation’
Name: Rachanee Nicole Jackson. Age: 29. Family: My local family is Juanita Deas (mom), Randolph and Vernice Deas and Joe Ann Hill (grandparents), Randy Deas (uncle), Jaylon Deas (cousin) – my family is small enough to name them all.
Residence: Yuba City (born and raised).
Occupation: Substitute teacher and insurance agent.
What’s your walk-up intro music? A continuous loop of “Unbreakable Smile” by Tori Kelly and “Wild Things” by Alessia Cara. If you’ve never heard them, you definitely need to put that on your to-do list. Both songs embody me and my personality, my energy and my outlook.
Hobbies, interests: Teaching, long walks, sunsets (cliche but true), the beauty and majesty of nature and engaging conversation.
What brought you to the Yuba-sutter area? (Un)fortunately, I was born here. My grandpa was in the Air Force, got stationed at Beale AFB, retired and never left.
What do you like about the Yuba-sutter area? I’ve come to learn to like how intimate it is (although, I did not like that aspect growing up). Also, Yuba City has some great parks.
Where would you like to retire to/live for a year? I think I’d like to retire somewhere in Africa. Despite popular belief and media perception, Africa is a very wealthy country and even though it’s a very different culture that I’d have to learn and adapt to, I think I would really enjoy a simpler lifestyle.
Dream vacation: For some reason, I’ve always had a desire to visit Australia.
What is the closest you’ve been to a famous person? One time I was at Chipotle in Natomas and this giant guy with a Sacramento Kings sweatshirt was in line with us. He had his hood on and kept his head down as if he did not want to be seen so it made me suspect that he might have been on the Kings. Too bad I don’t watch basketball much. I’ve also sat in the third row at a Kevin Hart show.
What would you do with a million dollars? I’d split it up so I could take care of business (pay off debt, invest, have a nest egg) and have some fun (travel, spoil myself and my mom a little bit).
What did you want to be when you were a kid? At one point, a teacher... until I realized they have more homework than students. Lol.
Favorite places in the area: My favorite places in the area are the parks, Ellis Lake and a few little hidden spots by the river.
Dream job: My dream job would to be a motivational speaker who teaches teens how to have the right mindset for success in whatever they decide to do. Nowadays, we want something for nothing, and I’m guilty of that mentality also (we want to do be in shape without working out and eating right, we want a lot of money but don’t want to put in extra hours, etc.) and a lot of kids I’ve worked with have that mentality times one hundred. So my dream job would be one who teaches and fosters that mentality and that muscle of having a strong mind to succeed. Everything begins in you mind.
Memberships in local organizations/groups: I am current president of the Mission Staters Toastmasters (we meet Tuesdays at noon at 1558 Starr Drive, Yuba City) and also the Yuba-sutter Civic Community Group, which is a non-profit in the area that works to serve as a bridge between the community and the community resources. That group is just really getting started, but we are very excited about doing some good things in the community.
Pet peeve: My biggest pet peeve is not being heard and talking in circles. What do you like about yourself? I really like that I am quirky. “Quirky” meaning, I do, say, and enjoy weird/random things such as dancing to no music, joke telling and random “fun facts” of frivolous information, for example. Unfortunately, it’s taken me time and maturity to really embrace myself and my quirks.
What/where is your heaven on earth? Somewhere in nature, whether at a park, at a beach or on a hike watching the sunset.
Favorite book: The Bible. Also “What To Say When You Talk To Yourself” is a really good one I’ve read in the last year.
What movie stops you while flipping through the TV channels? “Set It Off,” “Pursuit of Happyness” and “Freedom Writers.”
Who should play you in a movie? Haha! I love this question because I sometimes ask people this. I think Kimberly Elise would play a good me in a movie. She played Tisean ‘T.T.’ Williams in “Set It Off,” and Helen in “Diary of Mad Black Woman.”