Rolanda Macharia shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Rolanda , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is my compass. As the Executive Director of LIFT R&R, and Owner of He Heard My Cry Productions, I’ve learned that keeping your word isn’t just about professionalism—it’s about honor. I see a promise like a surety bond: when I give my word, it’s backed by a deep commitment to follow through.
In community work and filming trust isn’t built by flashy slogans—it’s earned by consistent actions. When someone honors their word, it leads to something priceless: relationship, loyalty, and authentic impact. But if someone makes empty promises just to win attention or support, that trust fractures—and with it, opportunities.
I believe integrity isn’t a one-time act. It’s a pattern of showing up, delivering, and standing firm in truth. Whether I’m advocating for vulnerable families, casting actors and actresses or selecting the team I will be working with in any endeavor I’m guided by the belief that my word is detrimental cause it leaves a lasting impression on my name. When people hear the name Rolanda Macharia, I want that to be a good conversation about who I am, even when I’m not in the room.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a visionary storyteller, and an advocate for transformation. As the Executive Director of LIFT R&R, a nonprofit serving Collin County, I channel my deep-rooted belief in integrity and compassion into empowering nonprofits and uplifting communities across Collin County, Texas. My work bridges resources with real lives, creating impact where it’s needed most.
But my voice doesn’t stop at advocacy—it echoes through the powerful creative journey of He Heard My Cry, the book, launched in 2023, producing the stage play, which spanned several shows at the Plaza Theatre in Garland Texas in 2024 and now the movie producer of its gripping film adaptation, recently completing Movie Production with the Premiere in March 2026.
He Heard My Cry is more than a title for me—it’s a testimony. My story explores redemption, resilience, and divine intervention through a raw lens that refuses to sugarcoat pain or skip past truth. The cinematic storytelling blends my faith, realism, and bold emotion, inviting viewers to wrestle with darkness and discover hope even in the midst of it.
” He Heard My Cry” stands for authenticity, resilience and hope. No Matter what you’re going through or have gone through there is always hope because God always hears and responds to our needs. Whether I’m designing tools to help nonprofits thrive or with programs that help our Collin Country residents get on their feet, or weaving life experiences that speak to the soul, I remain guided by one principle: your word is your bond, and your work should speak louder than your titles.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a little girl, I believed the world was good. I thought everyone was naturally kind, with hearts full of love. But life quickly taught me otherwise. A series of painful experiences reshaped that innocent perspective—starting with my parents’ separation and my sister and me being raised by our father, who was battling with trauma and mental illness. His struggles with substance abuse and mental health, rooted in childhood trauma, cast long shadows over our home.
Then, when I was just 10 years old and lost trying to find my way back to the bus stop, a stranger offered to help—but instead assaulted me. That moment shattered whatever safety I still clung to. The world no longer felt kind.
I remember my father once telling me, “Rolanda, you can’t put anything past a human being. They put the Son of God on the cross—what makes you think they’ll treat you any better?” That planted in me a deep skepticism about people and their intentions. I began to see the world through a lens of distrust.
But over time, and through Scripture, I started to see another side. As the Holy Spirit led me on a journey of healing and understanding, I discovered that not everyone is governed by darkness. Yes, there are those with harmful motives, but there are also many who operate through God’s spirit—people who genuinely care, light and compassion.
So I made a choice. Instead of surrendering to bitterness, I asked for discernment. I learned to recognize the difference between those driven by self-interest and those led by love. The world isn’t all good or all bad. But I decided to be kind, regardless—because that’s the reflection of the grace I’ve received, from God and the legacy I choose to leave.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss the Rolanda who laughed freely, who embraced life with a heart of flesh, surrounded by family and friends. I was raised and taught to be a provider, and I worked hard to care for my five children—now grown—but that drive came at a cost. I chased career success and missed out on moments filled with love and laughter.
The loss of two husbands—one to murder, the other to a house fire—made me guard my heart fiercely. I thought that by keeping it closed, I could protect it from pain. And now, after losing my father, Roland Shoulders, who I absolutely adored, on Christmas Eve, the ache feels unbearable at times. I can’t look at his picture too long—I miss him too deeply. It’s only been 8 months, and I know healing takes time.
Still, through it all, I ask God for balance. As I continue to uplift others through service and ministry, I know my heart is slowly being reshaped to feel joy again—joy for this glorious life He’s given me. My husband James now married 9 years is full of laughter, he always cracks me up and makes me laugh from the depth of my soul and I know that God is working his healing power even using my husband and I’m grateful for that.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I’m committed to—no matter how long it takes—is spreading the truth that God hears our cry and loves us deeply, no matter who we are or what we’ve been through.
When Jesus said from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” He revealed something profound: many people act out of pain, blindness, or their own perceptions not knowing the full weight of their actions. That perspective reshaped how I view others—not just by their behavior, but through the roots of their brokenness.
Dysfunction, trauma, addiction, abuse—these aren’t just problems, they’re symptoms of deeper wounds. I’ve lived through that darkness myself. And when I cried out to God, He heard me and completely transformed my life.
So my mission is to make sure others know that same hope is possible for them. I’ll keep telling the story until every person—especially those trapped in silence and insecurity —knows they are seen, heard, and loved by Him.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story told about me is that I loved God with my whole heart and did my best to reflect His presence in the lives of my children, grandchildren, and everyone I met.
Even when I felt I’d fallen short of all God had asked of me, I remained committed to passing on the message of His importance. I hope people say I made a difference—and that difference mattered.
Like my father once told me before his final stroke, when I asked him what he wants his grandchildren and great grandchildren to know about him. He said, “All I want them to know about their granddaddy and great granddaddy is that I loved them, I’m not a millionaire, so what else can I give them but love?”
That’s what I’ve tried to leave behind—moments, memories, laughter, stories, and a legacy of love.
Because in the end, it’s not wealth we carry forward—it’s the memories we created and the time we truly shared that makes a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rolandashouldersmacharia.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575897371348
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIxWlUcBA6yBfkIYceiO7g
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