Ask five teenagers what career path they want to pursue when they get older, and there is a good chance that it will revolve around either music or athletics.
For Roland Braelith, ever since he was a high school student, he envisioned having an occupation that helped foster dialogue between people of different backgrounds. Nearly 15 years after graduating from high school, Roland, with the help of some friends, is within arm’s reach of turning his ultimate goal into a reality. VocalVerse is a social media platform devoted to free speech and free expression. In addition to serving as CEO, Roland is also the lead software developer. Data Analytics Architect Jody Baldwin and Graphic Artist Bo McDonald represent the two other active VocalVerse employees.
Collectively, the three have over 35 years of software engineering experience. “We had originally intended to release VocalVerse in the winter, most likely in December. However, we began to notice other social media platforms increasingly ban people, demonetize videos and take down posts. We knew we had to pick up the pace and get VocalVerse out there for everyone who was concerned about their Freedom of Speech,” Braelith, a Salem resident, said. Added Roland, “I believe so much in the world could be solved if people could learn to just communicate with one another. So many problems today are from a lack of understanding and even worse, a lack of willingness to try, learn and understand other perspectives.”
Before creating VocalVerse, Roland was employed as a software developer for about a decade. That experience and knowledge gave him the confidence to try his hand in the tech industry.
Mike Rowe, a popular television host and narrator, has been an inspiration to Roland over the years. “He has given a voice to the everyday hard working American, which is something we aspire to do,” Braelith said. Among the things that separate VocalVerse from other social media platforms, accord ing to Roland, is the blogging services offered and future modules that will be devoted to music and podcasts.
“We also have added some fun features for users such as a Badge system where people will be rewarded for achievements,” he said. “Other people can even nominate their friends for badges for doing good things in the community.” By merely outworking everyone and never losing perspective, some people are able to overcome any obstacle placed in front of them. Roland is hopeful that he and his team can accomplish all of their short and long-term goals together as a unit.
“People usually think of tech being in Silicon Valley. But, I don’t see why we can’t have our own Silicon Valley right here in Southwest Virginia,” Braelith said. “I would love it if creating VocalVerse here also helped to spur some additional tech industry growth and offered some amazing tech jobs to the people of Southwest Virginia.” Monday, October 22, is the anticipated launch date for VocalVerse.
