Meet Sondrea ‘Dre’ Demry-Sanders | Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sondrea ‘Dre’ Demry-Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sondrea ‘Dre’, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I let go of the idea of balance a while ago. It felt like it was an unattainable goal for me and as a result I was beating myself up when my life wasn’t in “balance”. It like seeking perfection. Instead I started to shoot for the ability to flow. To be open to all that come my way, and to be flexible. I pray for the discernment to keep the things that flow into my life that I need, and to continues to always release what doesn’t. Now I am kinder to myself, and I can navigate the world without a balancing act.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create art through the medium of hair. Just watched a interview of Tyler the Creator and he spoke a lot about reference points, and now I’m sure thats what sets me apart from others. My reference points. I grew up in Portland, Or. While Portland is majority white, the community I grew up in was very Black. But its impossible to escape the influence of white culture in Portland so my experiences with nature, and punk culture are some of the references that set me apart. I went to Howard University, then moved to Minneapolis for about 10 year, Both experience shaped the way I created as well. Now that I am Brooklyn, NY, Im excited for the way New York will mold me into another evolution of myself and how that will present itself through my art.

I got to where I am today by trying a ton of jobs and keeping the one that was the most healthiest for me and the one that made me the happiest. I really don’t like to look back. My past is a whole roller coaster ride filled with substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. It was not easy, but Ive had this dream in my mind since I was little, and when I’m not pursing it, my life feels like a night mare. I am still overcoming my challenges by turning inward, and trusting myself, to save myself. The biggest lesson Ive learned is that one you make big moves toward what you want with your full heart, the universe will give you several opportunities to make it happen. No way is the right or wrong way, its just the journey you create for yourself.

I taught myself how to braid at 3 years old. Now 33, I know its my gift. I like to believe its a gift given to me by my ancestors. Ive always been connected to the energy of salon spaces, and tapped in to the magic of transformation very early without being able to put it into words. I want the work I do to transcend style, into the familiar communion of hair rituals our ancestors might have participated in. And move our culture forward through aggressive representation of the full spectrum of Blackness. When you see my work, I want you to see yourself, and our ancestor smiling back at you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Im the worse host. I hate making plan. I go off straight vibes and intuition. But I would start by getting us out the city, and maybe find some glamping for us to reconnect to earth and gratitude. Find a body of water, and a spot where there is more trees than people. then we will just let the earth guide us.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a village of heavy hitting truly guiding and pushing for the best version of me. But no one has given me the amount of support than my intimate family that consist of my mother Cassie Demry and my granny Sandra Jones. Even without a full understanding of the vision I have for myself and my career they support me emotionally, and often financially. The are unconditional love. And I know this because I haven’t been the easiest to love.

Website: www.dreonhair.com

Instagram: @dre_on_hair