Leslie Ann Virgil is an artist, a film documentarian, a songwriter, an event planner, a community activist and a whole host of other things. She's currently working on her first book and continues to contribute to various community programs and inspiring those around her to keep it real! Cha'Von Clarke sat down with Leslie Ann to find out what her inspirations are and what she sees in Bermuda's future.

 

 

 

 

What qualities do you see as most important for leadership?

"One must have integrity, humility, compassion, honesty, being trustworthy, be a listener, a risk taker, be innovative, open to criticism, be open minded, able to delegate effectively, being wise versus just educated, being empathic and able to relate to the needs of the people not just their wants, be non judgmental and transparent."

 

 

What do you see as your life-anchors, what really drives you?

"First and foremost, my Faith is my ultimate life anchor and from that all else stems. My belief in the Trinity: the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. This is my root! Also, what anchors me is my daily meditation and submission to the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of me. This guides me and has been vital in my survival. My personal relationship with God, my family and a few close friends are my anchors."

 

 

What sort of people are your closest friends?

"My closest friends are my family which is huge, both here and abroad. I have numerous associates that fall into various categories and ranks but my closest friends specifically are my parents, Teller and Idell, my Aunts Estlyn and Eleanor, my only sister Joann, some cousins and then there are the miraculous “Fab Five” who are not blood related. My close friends are not seasonal and have weathered every storm in my life’s journey as well as my triumphs!"

 

 

What makes you angry?

"I’ve learned to not sweat the small stuff so much because at the end of the day, time reveals. Managing anger is necessary for my health challenges but I still have things that “irk” me. Number one is DECEPTION in any form. People need to keep it real! Specifically, I can’t stand people stealing another’s creative ideas and blueprints at any level. Another ticking point is the blatant lack of respect, gratitude or recognition. We never accomplish anything by ourselves so we need to get off the “I” trip but, then again, I say to myself that Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to say Thank you"

 

 

Looking back on your career, what would you have done differently?

"I would have gone straight into the media industry which is where my passions lie. My mom always tells how they (my parents) brought me a toy video camera and I would show the neighborhood kids movies. I wish I would have kept that camera..it was blue.  So, I’m saying parents should look at their children’s passions from young and direct them in that area. But, on the other hand, everything happens for a reason and I wouldn’t have met certain people, confronted issues or learned valuable lessons."

 

 

Is there something you have dreamed of doing for a long time?

"I always dreamed of providing hope for the less fortunate and building artistic creative production orphanages around the world to instill hope."

 

 

What single piece of business wisdom would you tell your successor?

"Put everything in writing and get signatures no matter what it looks like…use Divine wisdom."

 

 

When future historians look back at our current era, how do you think it will be judged?

"Firstly, future historians wouldn’t judge “the current era” but learn from it. They will look at how beautiful gun free Bermuda got off her track but through collective efforts, humbleness, and true unity across the board and Divine wisdom, she got back in alignment. Historians will see how we went from being labeled Isle of Devils and living up to that stigma into transforming into a Land of Light! They will be able to look at our current soon to be past and use Bermuda as an example of how a country can overcome! We will overcome and live up to Uncle Hubie’s (the late Hubert Smith Sr.) song “Bermuda is Another World”.  But, it takes insight and goes beyond religion, or government for the solution has already been Divinely orchestrated. We just need to humble ourselves and seek it in unity, where there aren’t just “I  s” but other letters as well."

 

 

How do you unwind?

"I best unwind with Rekki as well as a nice deep tissue body massage, accompanied with scented candles and soft music."

 

 

Who would you like to trade places with for one week?

"If I had to trade places, I would have to go back in time and be with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India."

 

 

Imagine you are looking into a crystal ball five years into the future. What do you see for yourself?

"Five years from now, I wish to be debt free and traveling the planet, bringing hope to others whether it is in the form of my testimony, songs, films or books. I desire to share my joy, empower and enlighten others, especially the less fortunate in material and spirit."

 

 

What is your most treasured memory from childhood?

"Traveling throughout Canada with my family and the Salvation Army’s Newland’s Corp crew.  We hiked the ice glaciers in the middle of August, where I still remember getting frost burn, riding through the Rocky Mountains and staying in Jasper and Banff. Living in a trailer in Algonquin Park, where my mom’s friends told us to cover our eyes and when we peaked through there was a bunch of completely naked people running through the forest hollering and screaming. That was my first time seeing Streakers!  Another memory was being the only ones of color in our entire log cabin community and that is when I realized that we really are one just coated with different skin colors and externals but we all have the same heart and internal structure. What a creative God! And lastly, other than people mistaking my father for a grizzly bear one night, another memory was when my dad busted my dance groove. I had been away for the summer visiting my family in New York and came back with this new dance so you know I just had to showcase it.  So, one night we went to a dance at the Devonshire Recreation Club and in the middle of my moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turned around there was my dad with a helmet in his hand saying, “Lesley Ann, it’s time to go!” Well, as I rode of on the back of my father’s scooter, I was humiliated. My friends still joke about that night so I guess it made an impact on them as well and we share a giggle when we recap the GREAT MOMENT. But, looking back, my parents demonstrated enough love to take the time to instill discipline and respect in us from a young age. I thank them for that for I wouldn’t be who I am today. A survivor in every sense of the word!"