Imani Duckett is an American actress, visual artist, and writer best known publicly as the daughter of actress Jasmine Guy, famous for playing Whitley Gilbert on A Different World. But Imani has spent her twenties building a genuinely independent creative identity — through stage and screen acting, a solo art exhibition, and now, most notably, a forthcoming memoir co-written with her mother.
Quick Facts About Imani Duckett
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Imani Guy Duckett |
| Born | March 28, 1999, New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Jasmine Guy (mother) and Terrence Duckett (father) |
| Education | Atlanta Girls School; NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA in Acting, 2021) |
| Profession | Actress, visual artist, writer |
| Notable Work | Serial Black Face (2016), Open (2020), Paper Cuts exhibition (2024) |
| Upcoming Project | Co-author, A Different Girl, a memoir with Jasmine Guy (Simon & Schuster, February 2027) |
Who Is Imani Duckett?
Imani Duckett is the only child of actress, singer, and dancer Jasmine Guy, best known for her role as Whitley Gilbert on the sitcom A Different World. While Imani grew up with early exposure to acting and performance through her mother’s career, she’s built her own distinct creative path — one that spans stage acting, screen work, visual art, and, most recently, published writing.
Early Life and Family Background
Imani Guy Duckett was born on March 28, 1999, in New York City, the only child of Jasmine Guy and her then-husband, Terrence Duckett, who married in August 1998. Jasmine has spoken about the meaning behind her daughter’s name — Imani means “faith” — discussing it in an early interview with Regis Philbin when Imani was still a baby.
Growing up, Imani split time connected to both New York and Atlanta, with her education and early stage work rooted in Atlanta specifically.
Her Parents’ Divorce
Imani was nine years old when her parents’ marriage ended. Jasmine Guy filed for divorce from Terrence Duckett in early 2008, citing irreconcilable differences, with the divorce finalized on April 8, 2008, after nearly ten years of marriage. Terrence requested shared custody during proceedings, but Jasmine was ultimately granted legal custody, with Terrence ordered to pay approximately $1,469 per month in child support. Jasmine has said her focus after the divorce was on stability and safety for herself and her daughter, rather than on any of the legal or financial disputes.
Education: From Atlanta to NYU
Imani attended Atlanta Girls School, graduating in May 2017; Jasmine shared photos from the milestone, including one of Imani with classmates dressed in white and holding yellow roses. Imani went on to study at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2021. During her college years, Jasmine spoke publicly about her daughter living independently in Harlem, describing pride in watching Imani manage adult responsibilities like paying bills and running her own home.
Acting Career Beginnings
Imani made her stage debut in 2016, at 17, in the Atlanta production Serial Black Face, directed by Freddie Ashley. She played Latoya, a teenage character connected to a story about the Atlanta Child Murders that took place between 1979 and 1981 — a serious, historically grounded role for an early stage debut. That same year, she also appeared in the television documentary series Unsung Hollywood.
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Her Role in Open
Imani’s first notable screen role came in the 2020 drama Open, in which she played the character Luna. The project also marked the first known on-screen collaboration between Imani and her mother, Jasmine Guy, and featured other established actors including Essence Atkins, Keith D. Robinson, and Shad Moss (Bow Wow).
Imani Duckett as a Visual Artist
Beyond acting, Imani has built a reputation as a visual artist and writer. New York’s All Street Gallery has described her as a “multi-hyphenated artist” who makes sense of the world through acting, writing, and visual art. She has also shared work through an independent platform, IGD Creations, and gained professional experience as a Production Intern at marketing agency Team Epiphany in 2022.
The Paper Cuts Exhibition
Imani’s first solo exhibition, Paper Cuts, opened in New York City in March 2024, growing out of her senior year independent project at NYU Tisch. In her own words, the project explored the tension between two opposing forces within her — describing how, growing up in the South, certain stigmas and expectations around Black strength shaped her developing sense of self. The exhibition combined original animation, writing, and visual art to explore identity, vulnerability, and the pressure to always appear resilient.
A New Memoir With Jasmine Guy
The most significant recent update in Imani’s career is a forthcoming memoir co-written with her mother. Titled A Different Girl, the book is set for publication by Simon & Schuster in February 2027, with Imani credited as co-author alongside Jasmine. The announcement, shared by the pair’s literary representation, marks Imani’s first major published writing project and represents a new kind of creative collaboration between mother and daughter, following their earlier on-screen work together in Open.
Her Relationship With Jasmine Guy
Jasmine Guy has consistently spoken about wanting Imani to develop her own identity rather than simply follow in her footsteps, while remaining an openly proud and supportive presence throughout her daughter’s education and creative projects. The two have appeared together publicly on several occasions, including the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House’s 29th Annual Awards Luncheon in 2018, and Jasmine discussed Imani’s college years and independence during a 2021 appearance on The Tamron Hall Show.
Personal Life
Imani Duckett keeps most of her personal life private, including her dating history and current relationship status. She primarily uses her public platforms to share creative work rather than personal details, consistent with the low-key public presence she’s maintained throughout her twenties despite her mother’s fame.
Final Thoughts
Imani Duckett’s story has moved well beyond “Jasmine Guy’s daughter” in recent years. From an early stage debut tackling serious historical subject matter, through a fine arts degree and a personal solo exhibition, to now co-authoring a memoir with her mother, she’s built a creative career defined by genuine range rather than simply trading on family name recognition.
FAQs About Imani Duckett
Who is Imani Duckett?
She is an American actress, visual artist, and writer, known both for her own creative work and as the daughter of actress Jasmine Guy.
What did Imani Duckett study?
She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2021, after graduating from Atlanta Girls School in 2017.
What has Imani Duckett acted in?
Her credits include the 2016 stage play Serial Black Face, the 2016 documentary series Unsung Hollywood, and the 2020 drama Open, in which she starred alongside her mother.
Is Imani Duckett an artist?
Yes. Her first solo exhibition, Paper Cuts, opened in New York City in March 2024 and explored identity and personal experience through visual art, writing, and animation.
Is Imani Duckett writing a book?
Yes. She’s co-writing a memoir with her mother, Jasmine Guy, titled A Different Girl, set for publication by Simon & Schuster in February 2027.
How did Imani Duckett’s parents’ marriage end?
Jasmine Guy and Terrence Duckett divorced in April 2008, when Imani was nine, after nearly ten years of marriage.
What does Imani Duckett’s name mean?
Her mother has shared that “Imani” means “faith.”
Is Imani Duckett active on social media?
She keeps a relatively private personal presence but has shared creative work through platforms including Instagram and her own project, IGD Creations.
