Daily Inspiration: Meet Chelsea Roland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Roland.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started writing when I was a freshman in high school. I used to watch a bunch of slam poetry on YouTube and was amazed at how the poets were able to turn any situation they’ve been through into such a beautiful piece, I stopped after my junior year just because life got so chaotic and heavy but I still watched and read a lot poetry books. I read dictionaries to learn new words and meanings. I don’t think I really took poetry serious until I lost my mother in 2022. I never felt so many emotions at once until I lost her and I spent a lot of time alone writing. Trying to find a way to put all my feelings I had into words. In 2024 I moved to Vegas alone and started going to open mics and different poetry showcases and realized not only did I want to write but I wanted to share as well. I started going home and focusing on certain poems to get memorized and finally attend an open mic and signed myself up and I fell in love with how the crowd reacted. I got pulled to the side after my first performance and was asked to be a feature at a showcase and after that I just kept going! I’ve been performing for almost 2 years now and over the span of performing I’ve learned I am a poet who’s work is rooted in Love, grief and womanhood. I feel the most inspired when I’m going through something very hard or I’m hurting.
Growing up I’ve always been very shy and quiet I never really spoke in school unless I was spoken to. My home life was very layered as well, I love my parents but growing up I always felt like I couldn’t express myself the way I wanted to whether it was through my style or speech. Poetry gives me a safe space to be able to express myself without being told I’m wrong. As soon as my thoughts get written on paper or I step on stage and speak it becomes MINE and nobody can take it away from me and I love that.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been the smoothest but it hasn’t been much of a struggle either. I think most of my struggles are just my mind playing tricks on me really. Sometimes I turn down certain venues depending on the theme thinking I can’t write something I feel the crowd would like. Or I just second guess myself period. Then later I try changing up my style and finding out I am definitely able.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a spoken word artist whose work is rooted in love grief and womanhood.
Outside of poetry I’m a creative I make and sell durags and bonnets and different head wraps for natural hair. I love creating I love getting my hands into things.
One of my proudest moments so far with this poetry journey is just recently I did an interview with KUNV radio speaking on mental health! My poems are also in rotation on the radio station as well. That’s something I didn’t even know was possible with poetry!
What sets me apart from others is I think just ME as a woman. As crazy as it sounds I’m just a black girl from LA who had a rough upbringing and uses poetry to express myself. I don’t try to rhyme I treat poetry like it’s my therapist and I just talk to them. I love telling my stories and hope it touches at least one person in the crowd,

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
My poet family here in Vegas are definitely my good luck! They support and remind me I am able and have also presented me with me so many opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chelseamaraee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E7gkCVaPd/?mibextid=wwXIfr