ASP.NET Core Identity - Not able to use Role

I am currently adding Roles to our Database using the RoleManager with the CreateAsync(newRoleName) Method - which works correctly.  But when I try to query that Role, it always returns that it doesn't exist (even though I can see it in the database).

Can anyone provide some insight on why I am not able to use the Role?  

            var roleExists = roleManager.RoleExistsAsync(role);
            if (!roleExists.Result)
            {
                var newRole = new IdentityRole(role)
                {
                    Name = role,
                    NormalizedName = role.ToUpper(),
                };

                var roleCreated = roleManager.CreateAsync(newRole);

                Thread.Sleep(500);  // Used to get result back first.

                var roleExistsYet = roleManager.RoleExistsAsync(role);
                if (!roleExists.Result)
                {
                    // ALWAYS Returns [False]
                }
            }

The initial problem came about when we were creating a new User with the UserManager, and the following method would result in an error 

var roleAddResult = userManager.AddToRoleAsync(newUser, "TestRole123");

Exception Error:  Role [TESTROLE123] does not exist.

Note:  I can see the entry for the Role 'TestRole123' (or any other role) in the Database in the table dbo.AspNetRoles.

Any insight or help is appreciated.