Meet Jasmine C. Leyva of The Leyva Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine C. Leyva.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In grade school, I was the kid acting in the school plays, singing in musicals, making music videos with my camcorder, dancing and loving everything art related.

When it was time for college, I went to Georgia State for marketing.  I had zero interest in marketing, but being from DC, it was ingrained in me that the arts were more of a hobby and I should pursue a more “serious” career for security. Luckily, in freshmen year my common sense kicked in and said, “Jasmine, you love the arts, and you want to live in Los Angeles. Don’t settle for anything else!”

So I transferred to Los Angeles where I got a B.A. in television, media and film and a M.F.A. in screenwriting. For years I worked on several productions until I had another a-ha moment, “Jasmine, why are you putting so much work into other people’s visions without creating your own?”

I went to the producers of the documentary show I was working on to let them know I wanted to write and produce an episode, but they were more interested in making sure I “paid my dues.”  I hate that phrase.  I was being underpaid, no benefits and I was not willing to creatively rot in a position with the hope that I might be able to someday write on their show. I can’t let other people have that kind of power over my life.  Their “no” prompted me to create my own documentary with my loving man, Kenny Leyva.  It’s called “The Invisible Vegan,” starring Cedric the Entertainer, John Salley, Stic from Dead Prez and other health luminaries of color.

My film is being screened all over the world, Paris, Amersterdam, New Zealand, Canada, and I get new requests every week. I am currently working on a music video, short film, and second documentary. On the academic front, I teach screenwriting at California State University, Northridge and I use my experiences to empower them as artists.

Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think a smooth road exists in this particular era. The rich seem just as stressed out as the poor, and I haven’t escaped that dynamic. My road was far from smooth.

I don’t come from privilege, so there were financial hurdles.  There were times when I had to beg everyone I knew for money and support, and being rejected on a daily basis takes a toll on your confidence. I found my mind working against me at times. I would see friends buying houses, and I would feel like I was not where I should be in life because I wasn’t making those moves.

Instead of doing the job of one, I had to do the job of ten because I couldn’t afford to pay a crew. I got to the point where I was in tears .  Crying to my man, my mom, and the homie Tyrone.   When I broke down they all built me back up and told me I had to keep going. And I did.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Leyva Company LLC – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Kenny Leyva and I created The Leyva Company LLC.  We are currently working on more productions and we plan to put out positive content that serves our culture.  We also want to promote health behind the camera.  Entertainment is such a lucrative business, but the people that put the content together are often overworked and underpaid.  It is sad that the people at the top make millions while the behind-the-scenes staff work 16 hour days, don’t have enough money to afford a one bedroom apartment and don’t know what a benefits package looks like. We want to break that model with our company.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
LA is a vacation city. People in other parts of the country book flights and pay money for mountains, beaches, natural springs, and year-round nice weather. I have access to outdoor therapy all year round.

I also love that people in LA are dreamers. I am surrounded by so many people who have the courage to walk away from perceived stability to be true to the gifts God gave them. It keeps me inspired.

The bad part is the cost of living is utterly ridiculous.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theinvisiblevegan.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theinvisiblevegan
• Facebook: @theinvisiblevegan
• Twitter: @invisiblevegan

Image Credit:
Tyrone Richardson, Natural Woman Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.