We had the good fortune of connecting with Chele Roland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chele, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Well, as far as social impact goes, what I am watching unfold right in front of me, via several lawsuits, which attorney Bobby Samini and I have brought forth against the abuses of an international high control & coercive illegal pyramid scheme (operating inside a cult-like organization), has been mind blowing! What we have uncovered in this “organization” has been much deeper and more massive (and more criminal) than we ever anticipated! Since  December, we’ve taken in over 1500 calls from abuse survivors, predominantly in California, but from all over the world as well. The internal pull and compassion that both Bobby and I have felt, to jump in and help these survivors (including children), has been unquenchable. Nobody should be allowed to treat other humans this way. I didn’t really set out to be a human rights activist, but this mission has chosen me, and taken on a life of its own.
www.ICOC-ICClawsuits.com 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am an entrepreneur by nature, and have quite an eclectic portfolio of different projects that I have cultivated. For example, I founded a wellness company (bWell Network) which is in the works to partner with HSN (Home Shopping Network) on some exclusive and patented glutathione products. But I’m also working on several film projects, including a docuseries surrounding our humanitarian lawsuits. Through my unconventional and colorful life experiences—I have learned that the freedom to do what you love is absolutely the most crucial aspect of ‘living.’ But it’s a lesson I wish I would have learned much earlier.
Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself for Bobby Samini and I to partner up—in order to legally help all these abuse survivors that were calling me (as a result of our WhaTheFlok podcast)—I didn’t flinch at all. Although, we honestly didn’t know at the time that it would turn into such a big thing, and get so much global exposure.

Our lawsuits and subsequent mission has already been covered in over 20 media outlets, including two feature articles in Rolling Stone magazine, The Daily Mail, The Guardian, and The LA Times, etc. It was also super fun for my podcast partner, Hoyt Richards, and myself to be interviewed on Access Hollywood, spearheaded by one of their amazing producers, Amanda Cerruti!

So Bobby and I decided to embrace this journey at all costs. And we quickly realized that the many thousands of people that were abused in this group, deserved a voice, and they needed to be heard. These human’s stories, and their right to seek justice, became much more important than money, or any of our other entrepreneurial projects.

Due to all this, as of 01/01/23, I ended up switching gears, pausing most of my other entrepreneurial projects, and jumped in full-time to assist Bobby with the legal process. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

This is about standing up for what is right. This is about being a voice for those who have been silenced. This is about putting organizations on notice that function as powerful bullies. But mostly, this is about being able to tell the truth without retaliation—and allowing the legal system to do its job.

And yes, at the end of the day, this is also about justice and setting a precedence in dealing with high control/coercive groups, that take advantage of innocent good hearted humans, and infringe on our God given freedoms.

Basically, what I’m saying is that I have now added “Human Rights Activist” to my portfolio, and I couldn’t be more happy about that. I think Bobby Samini would like me to get my law degree now, because we have many more monsters to tackle, but I don’t know if I’m going to take it that far. Lol.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The beach is my absolute favorite place in California. One of my favorite restaurants is ‘South of Nicks’ right off of PCH in Laguna Beach. Or ‘Elephante’ in Santa Monica, which overlooks the water.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Bobby Samini. Our Orange County passionate and crusading lawyer, who is self-funding all of our lawsuits to get justice for thousands of survivors. www.Saminilaw.com
www.ICOC-ICClawsuits.com

Free2b Nonprofit that raises funds to assist survivors with things like therapy or acclimating back into life after abusive situations.
@Free2b_org

Website: www.WhaTheFlok.com

Instagram: @cheleDroland

Twitter: WhaTheFlok

Facebook: Michele (Chele) Roland

Youtube: @WhaTheFlok

Other: www.bWellNetwork.com www.Saminilaw.com www.ICOC-ICClawsuits.com TikTok: @WhaTheFlok

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.