Chandra is a pioneer of change on how the world looks at crimes on women and girls, especially African American women and girls. Investigator Chandra Cleveland is the President & (CEO) of Columbia Private Investigations & Consultants, LLC, C. Cleveland Speaks, and Palmetto Youth Connection DBA ITS On Me 2. Chandra is also an Executive Protection Body Guard for the Stars such Atlanta’s Bad Girls Club, Housewives Of Atlanta, Little Women of Atlanta, Patti LaBelle and Steve Harvey to name a few. Chandra is well educated in investigations of crimes against women and girls, which is an organization that strives to improve laws for Sex Trafficking and train law enforcement, communities and businesses to recognize Sex Trafficking.
Chandra has been very instrumental in rescuing several victims of Sex Trafficking in our communities, and continues to be a voice to inform parents of the latest social media dangers. Chandra was the hired investigator in the case of missing cheerleader Gabbie Swainson, and was responsible for convincing law enforcement that Gabbie had been abducted, she had been labeled a runaway.
Chandra has been seen on Nancy Grace, Michael Baisden Show, Yolanda Adams Show, and Black and Missing. She is also an Investigator “Cheaters” for the South Carolina area.
A native of Columbia, SC, Cleveland began her career in law enforcement with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Patrol division in 1989 and served until 2006. In 2002, she was assigned as the first black female Internal Affairs Investigator, and she earned top honors as the first female to be Deputy of The Year for The State of SC. During her tenure she developed an incredible reputation for being tough and highly informed on juvenile crimes, gang activities in our communities.
Cleveland is a graduate of Benedict College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching children with Special Needs. She is a graduate of the SC Criminal Justice Academy and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Her resume illustrates that she is a Certificated Juvenile Investigator Certified Domestic Violence Advocate, Intimate Partner Violence Advocate, and a member of The Brook Church.
Tell us about your business.
A bit about my business, The name of my company is Columbia Private Investigations and Security Consultants we specialized in serving women, girls and children who have been a victim of a crime, and training them how to protect themselves and what to do if you are a victim of a crime.
Why did you decide to take the LEAP to become an entrepreneur?
Well, during my tenure as a Deputy Sheriff I saw a lot of women, girls and children being victimized and no one was going out to let them know of the services that were available to them to help get them back on track. So when I got off work I would go by and talk to them and share the resources that are available to them and offer any other resources that they may need.
What’s the best part about being your own boss? The worst?
The best part about being my own Boss is choosing the times when I want to work for as long or short of time.
What have been some of your challenges and successes in business?
My challenges in my business has been law enforcement doing what they are required to do for victims across the board. My success has been being able to educate vulnerable communities who need the information on certain crimes so they are able to stay safe. The other success is bringing home 279 missing persons.
What do you love about working in your city?
Knowing the people in my community and them knowing me so we can make contact easily
What are 3 skills every entrepreneur should have?
Knowledge of their crate
A plan as to how they plan to run their business
Patience, because success will not happen overnight.
Website: www.columbiapiandconsultants.com
