After spending a year as a Bartley fellow at the Wall Street Journal, Chloé Valdary developed The Theory of Enchantment, a compassionate antiracism practice rooted in social emotional learning, character development, and interpersonal growth.
Chloé has trained around the world, including in South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, and Israel. Her clients have included high school and college students, government agencies, business teams, + more.
She has also lectured in universities across America, including Harvard and Georgetown. Her work has been covered in Psychology Today Magazine and her writings have appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and the Wall St Journal.
1. Who and what is foremost in your heart? (Who and what in your personal life is most important to you?)
Right now, the most important project to me is building my firm, Theory of Enchantment. I think it can make a huge difference in teaching people how to practice self-love and love for one's fellow humans so as to defeat racism and build a more holistic society.
2. How would you describe your work? How does the work you do impact consumers/environment/world?
I have an antiracism firm that trains companies and individuals to fight racism. We bring together insights from developmental psychology and social emotional learning and use pop culture and the arts as a platform to teach our clients how to refine the self. Our theory is that you cannot love others unless you first learn how to love yourself. Racism and other forms of extremism are often the byproduct of overcompensation for some perceived personal defect or imperfection. By teaching individuals how to refine and accept themselves, they will be more likely to build a culture of acceptance and create a diverse and inclusive environment.
3. What are you most proud of?
I'm proud of the fact that ToE is gaining steam.
4. Which is one cause / organization you want us to know about? What would you like to see happen?
Children of Promise is a non-profit that mentors children whose parents are incarcerated. I volunteered there for about year and a half and its mission is near and dear to my heart.
5. What are you most passionate about sharing with others at this time?
See number 2.
Getting To Know You, the Goddess
Name – Chloé Valdary
Hometown – New Orleans
Current Location – New York City
Vocation – Entrepreneur/Artist
It’s 3:30pm, what are you drinking? Lol, lemon water or tea
Favorite place you’ve visited? Rome
Currently Reading – Carl Jung & the End of Humanity by Peter Kingsley; A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Currently listening To – Zodi by Jidenna
Getting Personal
Who was / is your favorite pet? N/A but dogs
Next destination on your list? South America
What is one of your superpowers? To see beyond the facades of our own projections.
What was your first job? Or what was your most random job? Working at a college bookstore
Best advice you’ve been given? Always have faith in your powers.
Best advice you give? How you perceive the world is a reflection of how you perceive yourself.
Current pleasure? Dance (always)
What is something or someone you’re coveting at the moment? More time in a day.
What is one sustainability practice you incorporate in your work/life? I meditate for an hour every day.
What is one part of your process that surprised you when you started? Pivoting is a learning tool not a sign of failure.
Who is a thought leader you admire? Carl Jung
What / who represents Beauty to you? Anything by Bernini or Aaron Douglas
What does Beauty mean to you? Beauty is a manifestation of the divine.
What is one Self Care practice you enjoy? Cardio
What is one change you hope to see in the world that you make an effort to embody? I'd like to get people to comprehend the wonder and sacredness of human beings, of the human experience, of the joy of life itself.
You’ve been given a magic wand, what is your first spell? Expand the narrow lens through which we view the world; teach people to transcend and include at the same time.
