A native of Chicago and graduate of Temple University, Jesse began his professional career teaching American History, African Studies, and English in low income Philadelphia public charter schools. From there Jesse moved to New York City and began his professional acting career, performing off-Broadway in award-winning playwright Edward Albee’s “The Sandbox.” Jesse can presently be seen as series regular, Dr. Jackson Avery in ABC's “Grey’s Anatomy”. His feature credits include “Brooklyn’s Finest”, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" and the upcoming “Cabin in the Woods”.