WOMEN MAKING HISTORY: A CONVERSATION WITH

VERONICA CIANDRE

Inspired by Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, award winning freelance hairstylist Veronica Ciandre felt compelled to create her own message of hope to remedy the challenges of our times. Little did she know that her vision would grow into an international effort to evoke change through the power of thought and possibility. With the support of friends, Veronica created ReDEFINING the Dream, a 24 verse video affirmation that has sparked a movement upon ordinary people to "rewrite the script" of how our world looks. Read our interview with Veronica to learn more about her project and how she's making history.

SS: Greetings Veronica and thank you for talking with SisterSpeak Online about ReDEFINING the Dream. Tell us more about the concept and the video, which has been referred to as an affirmation, a prayer…how would you describe it to our readers?

Veronica: I call ReDEfining the Dream an affirmation of gratitude. It is an inspiring example of how we can use the Law of Attraction to effect change on a global scale.

SS: I understand you were inspired by Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream Speech”.  What brought you to contemplate his speech at the time you did and to create this powerful new vision? 

Veronica: I had recently spent time reading the "Red Campaign" and the positive impact it was already having on the AIDS issue in parts of Africa. I realized that as much good as they were doing, there wasn't a way for me to participate in the campaign if I was to consider my personal belief system, which is based on the 'universal laws', one of which states: 'that which we focus on expands". I became determined to create a vehicle through which those of us (and there are many) whose growing awareness of the 'Universal Laws of Attraction', specifically, could contribute to a campaign such as this, or any other effort to effect change, using our greatest tool...our minds, and the power of our thoughts.

On the morning of February 5, 2007, also the beginning of Black History Month, I woke up with the thought, "find Dr. King's speech online, and write an affirmation based on the contents".

I released the parts that were a description of the time in which it was written, and embraced the parts that were a description of Dr. Kings dream of what America could or should be. I re-worded it until it became present tense, expanded it into a global dream, and with a reminder from Bob Proctor, (The Secret), I expressed happiness and gratitude for having already received it. Forty-five minutes later, I pretty much had the test for ReDEfining the Dream.

SS: Clearly Dr. King’s work had an impact far beyond the United States.  What can you say about how Dr. King’s work impacted the African/Black community in Canada? How does this impact manifest itself today?

Veronica: I'm not sure if I can speak for all of Canada, but for me, Dr. King will always represent a compassionate voice of reason who always managed to keep his mind on the highest thought in regards to the challenges he faced on a continuous basis. The goals he set forth challenged us all to become better human beings. I believe his memory is a constant reminder that we still have a bit further to go to reach our highest potential, especially as it relates to nothing less than freedom. For me there were no borders between Dr. King and the rest of the world. His message resonates with us all.

SS: I understand that ‘ReDEFINING the Dream' ‘is spiritually rooted in the Law of Attraction which generally asserts that we can create the reality we desire through our thoughts.  The Law of Attraction is an ancient principle but has gained more visibility over the last few years through Oprah’s spotlight on ‘The Secret’.  Can you help us understand the Law of Attraction better?

Veronica: Yes, the ‘Law of Attraction’ is the effect of matching our vibration to that of the desired outcome. This is most effectively done by imagining the desired outcome as clearly as we can, so clearly that we begin to feel what it actually feels like to have achieved it. Try to think about and focus on the thoughts that lead to the desired feeling as often as possible. Repetition is important, writing it down helps. Being grateful is imperative!!! What we focus on we attract. It’s up to us to choose what we focus on, therefore it’s up to us what we attract.

SS: You state on your web site that one of your desires in bringing forth this project is to encourage people to write a new script of how we believe the world should look…to ReDesign the world we want to live in, ultimately impacting positive change on a global scale. What change do you believe your efforts are bringing about, and how would you like to see this unfold on a global scale?

Veronica: ReDefining the Dream is an extension of a Global Movement that has been unfolding for many years. Movies like “What The Bleep Do We Know”, and “The Secret” have taken it to a level with more mass appeal.  With ReDefining the Dream, we move from learning and understanding the concept of the Law of Attraction (LOA), to actively using it to effect change. It is an inspiring example of how we can use of the Law of Attraction, and it helps us focus on the possibilities in spite of the challenges, if only for 5 ½ minutes.  Judging by the response it’s been getting, it is having the desired effect of engaging viewers on a feeling level, often bringing them to tears of joy, as they resonate with the possibility, and raising their vibration to match a possibility rarely voiced with any kind of hope.

On a Global scale, I would like to see the LOA being used as an important ‘tool for change’, in the area of campaigning. There are millions of people throughout the world who feel powerless, or may think they have nothing to give, or contribute to making our world a better place. There are also many who, while not ignoring the current state, would prefer not to continuously focus on that current state.  Our thoughts have been proven to be the most  powerful tool we have, and should be considered the most valuable gift we could give. And it’s one thing we all have plenty of. 

In terms of the first video, I would love for the words of ReDefining the Dream to be recited in school rooms throughout the world all year long, but especially during Black History Month. It’s important for us to remember all parts of our history, but in understanding that today is a product of our past thoughts, we also have to ask ourselves... what can we do to make our future a brighter one? What can we think today, to create a better tomorrow?

SS: I understand that what you initially envisioned for this project was quite simpler and smaller in scale than what we witness today.  The conversation started between yourself and a couple friends over lunch. How and why do you think your efforts have attracted so much support? 

Veronica: The conversation I had on the same morning that I wrote it was with two friends, Ngozi Paul and Gersha Phillips. They were the first to believe in the far-reaching possibility of a video such as this one.  I believe the subject matter was a large part of why it continued to  attract so much support. We did a lot of talking over the four days between conception and shooting, and the buzz created by preparing alone was enough to attract offers to help in any way people could. Everything from video stock to hours and hours of editing time, was given to us for free. On the day of the shoot, cast members said the feeling in the air alone was enough to tell them that what we were in the process of creating was important, and the potential effects far reaching.

SS: Veronica, I heard that this was your first video project you’ve ever produced. That is very hard to believe as the work is of superb quality. What do you attribute this to?

Veronica: This is the first video project I’ve ever produced, but I couldn’t have done it without my co-producers Ngozi Paul, and Gersha Phillips.  In fact it wasn’t for Ngozi suggesting we shoot it four days after sharing the idea, it wouldn’t exist at all. The final outcome was always pretty clear in my mind, however getting there was all a new and incredibly challenging adventure for me.  I’ve spent the last 25 years working as a hairstylist in film & television, so finding people with experience was not too difficult. Ngozi is a busy producer and actress, and Gersha an accomplished costume designer. They say  “you're as good as the team you play on”, and in this case, it made all the difference. From Frank Tata and Phil Sportel, highly experienced and hugely creative, to the patience of editor Boyd Bonitzke, and the hours and hours spent with editor Philip Sportel, to the music of Humble which was the perfect song, to the musical arrangement of Raine Music.  You can’t help but create something wonderful when you have all the right ingredients.

SS: Certainly! What has the public response been since you launched the video?

Veronica: The public response has been very moving.  With little to no PR or promotion of the video, it continues to circulate through YouTube, and other online groups and video communities, as well as from person to person around the world.  I continue to receive comments in regards to the importance of the message, and the effectiveness of the video itself in generating the feeling that what we say is possible, is in fact possible. There are people for whom the words of ReDEFINING the Dream have become a daily meditation. For me that says it all.

SS: Where do you see this journey taking you?

Veronica: I’m in the process of developing what is called... “ReDEFINING...the CAMPAIGN”.  Our mission is three fold:

1. to raise public awareness of the possibilities in spite of the problems.

2. to increase public focus on a higher vision of the World we intend to live in.

3. to effect change on a global scale with the use of the Universal law of attraction.

I will be partnering with companies and campaigns to create tools for change based on messages of possibility.

I’ve created a face-book group by the same name, if people wish to join.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9083691202

SS: Well Veronica, we certainly commend you for being a woman of vision and for doing your part to make the world a better place. Thanks for sharing your efforts with us and best wishes for your continued success!

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