Bulova’s BOLD Changemakers: Aliya Jasmine

There’s a bold spirit in everyone. And with a bold spirit comes timeless collections that capture the essense of each movement and generation. Bulova reminds us that time is what we make of it, and believes in embodying the legend within. Our Bulova BOLD Changemakers Series connects you with inspiring women who make their industries and communities stronger. Here, we’ll learn about their stories.  

Meet Aliya Jasmine, (friends call her AJ)

Profession: Environmental Journalist & TV/Film Producer
Social Media: @AliyaJasmine
Favourite Bulova Timepiece: The White Dial Leather Strap Sutton 97P166

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’ve had a video camera glued to my hand since I was a kid, storytelling is my passion.  I worked in Canadian TV for over a decade (MTV, Discovery Channel, etc..) then moved from Toronto to LA, about 10 years ago to work at NBC News. Since then I’ve started a production company with my sister (a Harvard Landscape Architect) called Earth Tones. As a women and BIPOC-founded environmentally-focused media company, Earth Tones has a mission to transform the narrative for underrepresented environmental leaders and produce content focusing on the stories of communities of color and other marginalized voices worldwide. I’m currently directing 2 nature documentaries, but Canadians can also still catch me hosting The Mightiest, on Discovery Channel, or even guest co-hosting The Social on CTV from time to time. In LA, I live between the ocean & mountains with my husband, 2 rescue dogs, and a baby on the way … and a wild hummingbird that lives in our backyard who we’ve named Copper.

Photo credit: Earth Tones / @EarthTonesLab

Being a Changemaker is all about knowing where you come from and to have the courage to take a new step forward. What gives you courage to live out your story?

My parents. As a child of refugees, my parents came to Canada and had to rebuild from nothing. The only option was courage, and they passed that determination and grit to both my sister and I. I spent the first few years of my career trying to fit into existing molds, because I didn’t see any that looked or sounded like me.  As I get older I realize that my unique perspective is exactly what I should be sharing and it’s a big reason why I started my own production company.

Everyone’s story is comprised of many chapters, what was one of the most influential ones in your journey?

My years at MTV taught me so much, and not just the flashy interviews with Adele or Tom Cruise, although those are what viewers remember most. When I was at MTV, my producers Mark McInnis and Alex Sopinka allowed me to really experiment with the short documentary programming, and allowed me to tell important social justice stories to our young MTV audience, from places like Haiti, South Sudan, and the Great Bear Rainforest. Those stories lit a fire in me that is still burning.

Photo credit: Earth Tones / @EarthTonesLab

What would your 15 year old self be most proud of that you have accomplished?

Honestly, that nerdy girl with frizzy hair,  buck teeth, glasses, a unibrow, and a moustache would be proud that I turned into a confident woman, get invited to parties, married a handsome pro football player, and made a career out of filming stories! But mostly, she was desperate to adopt a dog her whole life – so she’d be most excited that I’ve rescued and fostered so many shelter pups!

What do you hope is the legacy you will leave behind?

I hope that my legacy is left in the form of a film or TV show that makes a significant impact on society and on the conservation of wildlife.