We Change Society - Ed Accura - Producer of the Blacks Can't Swim film documentaries and Cofounder of the Black Swimming Association - Season 5 - #214

In this episode of the Us People Podcast, I get to speak to my friend Ed Accura. Ed is the producer of Black Can't Swim, a film documentary and the co-founder of the Blacks Swimming Association.

In this episode of the show, Ed and I get to speak about: 

**His background, where he grew up  

**What influenced him to be the person he is today. 

**We speak about the Documentary Blacks Can't Swim and why he started Blacks Can't Swim. 

**We dive deep into the awareness of swimming and the importance of making cultural societies understand the importance of learning how to swim.

**We also exchange conversations about the projects he has, up and coming. 

**The people who he has worked with. And how he feels that has changed society, with his purpose in life. To shake up the industry, to make people more aware of cultural diversity, Within swimming.

Join me as I let my friend Ed take the stage. And reverse the roles as I get to interview him on the US People Podcast with Savia Rocks. 

This is a show where it will be open, honest, and speak freely, so I look forward to it and I hope all of you look forward to it too..

Website: www.TheBSA.co.uk

Website: www.BlacksCantSwim.com

Instagram @edaccura

Facebook @edaccura1

Twitter @ed_accura

Linkedin @ed accura

Transcript

Savia Rocks: 0:00

Hey guys, we made it to season five of the Us people podcast. I'm your host Savia Rocks. And in this season, we aim to empower and embrace creativity through diversity as we dive into the fascinating stories and experiences of a diverse range of individuals. Highlighting their unique perspectives and creative endeavors from artists and entrepreneurs to innovators and activists. We celebrate the power of diversity in driving creativity and fostering positive change. Join us as we engage in thought provoking conversations like. I made myself intentionally homeless. In pursuit of my purpose,

J Harris: 0:41

we're aware that a lot of people want to present and they, and they were in my position and, and what's worse, they weren't a white male, which is a joke that that's even still a thing.

Mel: 0:49

Think my family never, ever say you can't do something. So full of support, full of support for whatever dream. If I said tomorrow, when I fly to the moon, they'll probably say, I wish you all the best mouth.

Savia Rocks: 0:59

So guys. I just want to say thank you for supporting the Us people podcast for the past five years. And we look forward to sharing another new theme song with you. Let's go. Hey guys, welcome to another episode of the Us people show. I'm your host Savya Rucks. And today I've got a friend on today. His name's Ed. He's the producer of Us People. Black can't swim documentaries. He's also the co founder of Black Swimming Association. Ed, I want to thank you so much for taking your time to come on the Us People show. How are you?

Ed Accura: 1:56

It's uh, yeah, um, it's a pleasure. Thank you very much.

Savia Rocks: 2:00

No, you're welcome. Thank you so much for coming on. So me and Ed know each other quite well, which is really, really nice. Ed has been kind enough to. Allow me to come on to his show and we spoke about stereotypes and so many other things. Ed, my first question for you is, could you tell me a bit about yourself, where you grew up and how that influenced you to be the person who you are today?

Ed Accura: 2:26

So where do I start? Okay. I'm Ed Akira. I was born in the UK. Um, I lived here until I was about nine years old, eight or nine years old. My parents are both from Ghana. Um, dad's mechanic, was a mechanical engineer. My mom's, um, was a nurse, a midwife.

Savia Rocks: 2:48

Um,

Ed Accura: 2:49

they came, they came to the UK in the sixties, um, to better themselves, educate themselves and that kind of thing. And then they had me, I'm the first born. So, um, we were here for, um, obviously I was born here. I went back when I was nine years old, went to Ghana. We all went to Ghana. It's so funny because, Oh! I, I, I, I, I see a lot of people when they are moving countries or they're going places and especially people from, um, you know, white people in particular, when they're going, it's all planned to tell their children, now this is where we're going, we're moving, you know, go in here, pack your stuff, tell your friends, you know, there's a whole process. With us, it's like, my parents were like, Oh, we're going to Ghana. You know, you don't really need to take much. We're just going to Ghana, like on the holiday. And so we went to Ghana and it was the longest holiday ever because I was there for 10 years.

Savia Rocks: 3:42

Wow.

Ed Accura: 3:46

Yeah, I came, yeah, so I went there, so I had my, all my, my, my, my primary education, my secondary education. Oh my gosh. I came back when I was about 18. So, yeah. Um, so yeah, so that, that, that's me. Um, and I've been here ever since.

Savia Rocks: 4:05

So it's, it's really funny. You go somewhere for a holiday, you come back 10 years later. You know, they always say to me that education is different when you're abroad compared to when you're actually in London, which is really, really true. Cause when I was in St. Lucia, education was far more stricter compared to. When you're in London, but it all depends on, on how you've been brought up, whether you've been going to private school and so on and so forth. So it definitely all makes sense to me. And so. My next one for you, Ed, is can you define yourself as a person, but who do you see when you look in the mirror? But on the flip side of that question, has there ever been a time where you have looked in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back at you? How did you manage to go from a person that you didn't necessarily like within yourself to becoming the person you feel that has value and you wanted to become?

Ed Accura: 5:00

I used to be very shy.

Savia Rocks: 5:02

You're not shy in one word?

Ed Accura: 5:04

No, seriously, I was really shy. I was a really shy person. You wouldn't think so, but I was. And sometimes you can, I think sometimes it shows, but yeah, I used to be really shy. And when I got to that, I think I was about 16, 17, probably 18, I said to myself, I need to get myself out there. I need to get rid of the shyness. I didn't like it. Um, and I don't know if it's. Was lack of self-confidence? I don't know. I don't know. Um, but I, I just was an, I just was very, very much of an introvert to, and, and I said, I'm gonna, I'm going, I'm going to change this. I'm gonna change this to me. And I, I can remember I used to work for the company called an IT company called IBM. We were back in, this was in the, in the late eighties, early nineties. And um, I can remember. We were on the sixth floor, sixth or seventh floor. And, um, you know, so you get in the lift and then you drive, you get out, you go all the way up there now, and there's other companies on different floors as well. So you get in the lift, you don't know who's, you know, who's, who's going to be in the lift. And I said to myself, what I'm going to do is that. When I get into the lift, I'm going to strike a conversation with anybody, whoever's in the lift. It was, and I, and I said, and the first, and I bottled out of the first, the first month I said, no, I can't do this. But then the second time I said, then I did it. So I said, get into lift. I got to work at nine o'clock. I said, I'm going to walk through that door. I'm not going to talk to it. The first person, whoever's in the lift, if there's four people in this, I'm going to speak to all of them. And I did it. And. I'm sure people look at me like this freak, but it got easier and it got easier. And then I started being able to speak to people, other people. So now I can just walk into anybody in the street and have a conversation with them. It was, it took, it took a while for me to get to that stage, but yeah, and a lot of people don't know that. I mean, when, when, when anybody who's listened, probably listen to nowadays, they're probably thinking, really? Yeah. Because I, I, I can't stop talking now, but I never used to be like this.

Savia Rocks: 7:18

It's not, you know, talking, I think is one of the most beautiful things in life to be able to articulate, articulate yourself in the way that you want to and need to, because. Everything is about not what you say, it's how you say it to a person as well that resonates with them. So it all makes sense. So, Ed, let's talk about Black Can't Swim film documentary, you know, you have gone through an absolute beautiful journey to starting to document your swimming journey to now let in the world see what you have done. But also, Culturally make people culturally aware that we need to educate different societies, different cultures to make them aware under youth, especially that's how important swimming is and how it can save lives. So talk to me about the process of the reason why you started Blacks Can't Swim the documentary.

Ed Accura: 8:17

I started the Blast Count Swim documentary because my laptop didn't work on holiday. Seriously, it just didn't, my laptop didn't work and that's why, that's, and that's why we're here having this conversation today. I'll, I'll, I'll blame HP. So I think anyone who looks up and says it's such a nightmare. He's already bugging me. Is this, is that, and all this, blame HP. So, so basically I'll try to give you a very, very short version of the story. So went on holiday with my wife, my daughter. And, and a few friends. Um, and there, I think there was about 12 of us in total going to Barbados and this was 2018. Um, I don't drink and I don't swim. So when we go on holiday, um, I get bored very quickly'cause people are by the bar in the sunken pool and we swimming and all that kind of thing. And I don't drink and I don't swim. So it's like, I can only say, I can only sit, stay outside in the sun for, so by the pool. And I just get bored. So I just go into the, go into the room. So I took my laptop with me and said. I'm going to make a, I'm going to make an, I'm going to make a new album. And cause I was working on a jazz, uh, what do you call it? Hip hop street jazz kind of project called noise, N O I Z E. And I've done three albums and I said, I'm going to do the fourth one. So I took my laptop, get to the hotel, second day in the hotel, I put the laptop on, power, nothing, tried everything. And it was a reasonably new laptop, so I couldn't just understand why it wasn't working. So I went down to reception, got a different power adapter, tried all sorts of things, nothing. And then one of my friends, um, um, Safina said, um, I was going to, I'm going to do a boat trip. This was my second time in Barbados, um, cause Two of my friends are from, you know, they have heritage in Barbados. So, and I went there the first time, really, really liked it. So we went there again. And, um, so you said, let's go on this boat trip. And usually the first time I didn't go the first, the first trip I did, I didn't go because I have no interest in water. I can't swim. I'd rather just stay in a hotel or just go walk about town or something. But nah, but because my laptop wasn't working and everybody else was going, Okay, why not? Might as well come. And my wife, Jake, actually said to me, you know, if you don't want to come, you don't really need to come, you know, on this trip, because I know how you don't like water. And I said, I might as well come. So I did. We got on the boat. Um, they gave us all a life jacket. Then this same girl, Sophina, who planned with me, she said, why don't I take a picture of you in your life jacket and then you can use that, uh, you can use that on one of your album covers. And I said to myself, what's, why would I even think about using a picture of me in a life jacket, unless of course the song has something to do with swimming. And I knew about the issue, and about, you know, water, and within, or the lack of connection with water, within, My family and the community at large. So I said, okay, let me make a song. Somebody needs to make a film about this. So I started writing lyrics to a song, make a film called Blacks Can't Swim. And that was the name of the song, make a film called Blacks Can't Swim. And, and so I wrote the lyrics and all that kind of thing. And, and whilst people were jumping in one of the boat docks, the catamarans docked and people were jumping in and out. And I just sat there writing my lyrics and all that kind of thing. Um, go back to the hotel and, um, the next day I said, I just can't understand why this thing is not working. This laptop is not working. So I took it and I took the battery power, put it back in and press the button. And then on it came. And I go, wow, if this had happened the day before, I wouldn't have gone on that boat trip and we will not be having this conversation today. So, so, so, so yeah, so basically I wrote the song, it came back to the UK holiday over. It's now around about September, um, October, September, August, September, end of September. Then I put the song out and I get a message from a company called, um, Swimming Nature and they said, um, we heard the song and, um, Everything you said in the song, is it true? And the song is like kind of tongue in cheek talking about me scared of swimming and all those kind of things. It was a bit humorous as well. And I go, yeah, I can't swim. And they go, oh, we want to teach you how to swim. And I go, okay. And they go, oh, but we'll teach you how to swim. We'll teach you how to swim for free. And I go, hold on a minute, I'm from, I grew up in Tottenham and if, if anybody tells you they're going to give you something for free, so I was like, I'm like, I'm like, why? And he said, because we knew about the issue about the disproportionate amount of black people that do not swim, we're a white organization. We can't really be talking about it because of the sensitivity, but since you are talking about it, we want to prove to the world that. It's not a physical thing. It's a cultural thing. Because at the end of the chorus, I said, is it a, is this a cultural or physical thing? It's part of the song. And so they say it's definitely a cultural thing. So right about that time, another friend of mine said, why don't you make that film? And I go, I've never made a film before. Why do I even start? But then, We, I know I've made music videos, so I, Mr. Rex also made music videos, so I went to, I went to Mr. Rex and I said, I want to make a film. He must have been looking at me like, this guy, what, this guy is he drunk or something? I know he doesn't drink. Make a film. And, and the rest is history.

Savia Rocks: 14:21

See, this is what I like, sometimes in life when, sometimes it's about purpose, everyone in life has a purpose and sometimes you're, the universe guides you in a certain way to make things not work on purpose, for you Ed, it was your laptop, but, but the most beautiful thing is, is now that I've been there to witness that you have made so many more people in the world aware. Of swimming. The one thing I do want to talk about it is the statistics, because I, even though me and you've had this conversation before, I would like to share with the audience about the statistics of cultures that cannot swim or will not swim. Can you break that down for me?

Ed Accura: 15:00

So when I started this campaign in 2018, 2019, um, The statistics that came out in actually 2020 by Sport England stated that 95 percent of black adults in England, 80 percent of black children in England, 93 percent of Asian adults in England, and 78 percent of Asian children in England. Do not swim. So basically those are, those are the statistics. The World Health Organization says that Africans and people of African nation heritage have the highest drowning rates. And we are, I think it was about three to four times more likely to drown than a Caucasian. And those are the statistics of 2020. The new statistics came out this year, about two months ago. And it's. gone the wrong way. So it's now 97 percent of, um, um, black adults in England do not swim. So it's not good.

Savia Rocks: 16:13

That's phenomenal. That's phenomenal. That's a phenomenal number. I thought it would be getting better. Okay. This is where we're going to get quite political. So I know we can't necessarily cast blame on anyone, but is there a way where we can talk about this, where. Organizations can help and understand what's going on. So we can make more people aware and want to learn about swimming. What would you say about the direction of where this is going and where it should be ending up?

Ed Accura: 16:47

So, okay. What I'm about to say, a lot of people may find this disheartening, but I'll say it anyway, because it's a truth. And I've been saying this for a very long time. There's a lot of things that have been done by a lot of organizations, the governing bodies, the Black Swimming Association, the education system, the community, swimming pools, the pool providers. There's a lot of things that's been done over the last five years. That includes research. Advocacy for policy change, um, customized streaming lessons, water safety training, diversity, um, equity and inclusion initiatives. And it goes on. There's a lot, a lot, a lot of things that are happening and, and that's great. But what I say and what I say, and you've probably seen a number of posts that I've been putting out of late, is that all this, all this, is in preparation for the main event. And, and you know, what, what main event? What, basically what I'm trying to say is that the only way we can change this narrative is by infusing what is, what, um, what activities swimming into our youth culture. The youth are the ones that are going to change this narrative. I think for majority of us adults, The ship has sailed, right? We will get a few people that will start learning how to swim here and there. The figures will go from 95%, it will go to 97%, it will come back to 94%, it will, but it will always be around there. To get everybody swimming and make it part, and I'm talking, look at myself, I learned how to swim, um, what do you call it, about three years ago, two, three years ago. How many times do I go swimming? Not that many. Not many, many times because, you know, It's not really in my, you know, I don't, it's not part of me. I've lived without it most of my life. So, you know, and there's a lot of people in, in, in, in this situation, they will talk about, they make, they'll make the effort to go. But then nothing will happen.

Savia Rocks: 18:59

Yeah.

Ed Accura: 19:00

Then, then you get kids, right, who learn how to swim because their parents force, you know, well, we'll say force, that's a horrible word, um, and encourage them to swim. But as soon as it gets to a point where they don't need to go, They won't. They'll, they'll, they'll stop. But if it was part of the culture, if it was part of everything they did, it would change that. And like I said, the parents, the kids now, the 15, the 16, the 17 year olds, they are going to be the future policymakers. They're going to be the, and I talk about this with Mike Wallace of Kickoffer 3 all the time, Then, you know, they're going to be the future policy makers, future parents. So if they, if it's, if it's part of them, then naturally their children and their children and their children are going to, you know, are going to be, are going to be swimmers. It's going to be part of their, part of their, um, their making and part of their culture. But we have to get the children, we have to get the youth involved in it. But the only way you can get the youth involved in it is if. it's exciting to them. Hence, if you can make it part of the culture, then yeah.

Savia Rocks: 20:15

You have to make things fun. I remember saying this with you before. If it's education or anything to do with education could be swimming science could be mass could be anything if you make it fun I find that the youth will engage more nowadays it's more about social media so even if you was to pull it in a form of social media to make it fun for them then they'll want to engage you know the question I have for you Ed as well I know you spoke about families and generations before but can your family within you know your immediate family but also your family now can they swim and did they want to teach you how to swim at any point in your life, rather than you, you know, learn teaching yourself how to swim. Was there a point in time where your parents said, you know, Ed, it's good to learn how to swim. Did they even have that conversation with you?

Ed Accura: 21:02

Yeah, they had that conversation with me. They had that conversation with me all the time. And I always said, and I've said it in many different places and many different shows that my mom is huge on water safety when it comes to water safety. And you know, she, my mom's massive on it. Her idea of what a safe is. Stay away from the water and you will drown.

Savia Rocks: 21:23

Wow. And that's

Ed Accura: 21:23

basically how I was brought up. So, so, so, and, and, and the thing is that, And it is all human, all cow. But my, there's a lot of people that still look at that when you, you know, if you stay away from the water, you'll be okay. Yeah. Don't go near the water, you'll be fine. Mm-Hmm. And so, so when we are telling people that, oh, okay, waters, you know, you really, you really know, need to know how to stream because otherwise you, you know, so it's like messages. You know, people say, okay, if water is so dangerous, I'm staying away from it. And, uh, and, and, and, and that's how it is. Obviously we can't stay away from water all out there because we go on the holidays. We, you know, there's water all around us and that kind of thing. So it's important we understand the water safety element and all that. But, um, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's a big issue. And, and, and like, and like I always say, um, the youth are the ones that are going to change. Everything, but everything that everyone is doing up until now, all that, what the, like I said, the, the, the conversations we have in the governing bodies, the water safety lessons or the discussions and all that kind of thing that advocacy and all that kind of a policy change is very, very, very important. It is still very important. So I'm not saying that it's wrong. Oh, everything has to be about the youth. No, we have to continue to do what we're doing right now, because when the youth finally catch onto it and they decide to make it part of their culture and make part of their life, we're going to need, trust me, we're going to need everything and everyone around that to make sure everything stays safe because you know what youth are like, they'll be jumping in the water and be doing this, be doing that. So everything that we're doing right now is in preparation for them. Um, it, it, for his improper. And then that's, I sound like some kind of a nut job. Don't I sound like the end is near. Have you got to do this? No, but seriously, but, but seriously. Yeah. But yeah, it's, um, I, I have a strong belief in that and that's why I'm making this new documentary, um, change it, changing the narrative and yeah, it's, it's, I'm pretty sure we will talk about that at some point. So, yeah. Yeah.

Savia Rocks: 23:40

So what I want to try and get into is also, I know you're a big fan of music. Obviously you wrote a song about, you know, Black Can't Swim and people are paying attention to it. So let's talk about, you said you had four albums. Not even I knew you had four albums, Ed.

Ed Accura: 23:56

Um, yeah. Oh, well I had four jazz albums, four street jazz albums under the name of Noise. I also had an album. I have albums go it going into huge, um, um, iTunes you Sees Under Thera. And I started with a band called 6 1 7, and that was back in late nineties or mid, no mid nineties. So I, I've always had music around and you can just look, you can just look around, can see records, you can see CDs and all that kind of thing. So music is my, um, my, my passion and always has been. But, um, in 20, I think it was around about 2016, I made a conscious decision that if I'm going to make a song, it's going to have to be about some, some, some, I'm not, I'm, I'm done with making songs about nothing. I want to make songs about things that will inspire people. And, um, and the first, um, project I worked with was in 2016 called the bearer witness project, which was based on The homeless, um, street. So I was walking down, I saw this coat, right. And it was, I think it was middle of the year or something like that. I saw this, no, no, it was about September and 2016. I saw this coat and. I really liked it and it was in Next. No, River Island, River Island. And it's like this coat that's got this big hood on the arrow, a fluffy hood like a lion. But I went to my local, um, River Island, but they didn't have my size. So I was like, okay, I'm going to talk to them anyway to see my mum. So I'll pass by Wood Green and River Island and see if I can, I can get the, get the coat. So I was walking there and I saw this guy. And there's a homeless person, and he was sitting by there, just outside McDonald's. And usually, when I see a homeless person, I just, you know, I just, I'm just blinded to it. I just walk on by. But for some reason I was drawn to this guy. So I started to have a conversation with him and we had a conversation and Used him, does he want something? So I was like, I got him something. I got him a meal. Um, he said, you know, he wanted a bag, a bag, no McDonald's. So I got him something and, and then I gave him some, I think I gave him a five pounds note or something like that. And he said he used to work in office and something happened in his life. And then he turned to alcohol and. Lost his job, lost his family, ended up on the streets. Yeah. So I was having a conversation and I said, well, I hope things work out better for you. And I Used him, so is the council trying to help you? And he said, yeah, but he still falls back onto his old ways. He said, it's in and out. He goes and then comes back again, goes and comes back again. So, so I knew we chatted and I went. And then the next time, I think it was about a couple of months later, I came down, I was down in the area. So I passed by and there's a shop, there's a clothes shop just next to it. So I Used the guy, you know that guy that usually sits down there and they go, Oh, he passed away. What? I was like, Oh, okay. And that kind of hit me. And I was like, I remember I was speaking to him and all that kind of thing. So therefore I made a song called, I'm called bear witness. Um, you can see, so you can hear it on YouTube and bear a witness. And basically, and then I started the campaign and I run this campaign for two years. Tell them if you see a ho, if you see a homeless person,

Savia Rocks: 27:15

yeah.

Ed Accura: 27:16

Sometimes you only just have to give eye contact.

Savia Rocks: 27:19

I,

Ed Accura: 27:20

because we did, we know in the campaign we did a lot of, um, you, you know, a lot of, I think, um, quite a few organizations supported us. So we give, you know, Sainsbury's, um, you know, food and things like that, you know, in, in the street, went down Tottenham Court Road because there's a whole lot of, yeah. Yeah. And I was speaking to this guy and he said that it's not the food. It gets lots of food. It's not the drink. It's just sometimes just Using people, acknowledging them, just saying, hi, that's it.

Savia Rocks: 27:54

Yeah.

Ed Accura: 27:55

He said he can sit there and 200 people can walk by and they will even not acknowledge. It wasn't the business kind of thing. So I did a company did a campaign. Yeah. So, yeah. So going back to your original question. Yeah. Yeah. So it's, it's music has to do something. You know, I want, when I'm making music, it's to tell a story. Or to encourage, inspire people to do good.

Savia Rocks: 28:19

I love, I love the fact that you do that there. I think I listened to more old school music from back in the day than I do today's music. I just feel like today's music has a lot more anger. And a lot more anger in it. There are a few artists who, who don't, who actually are making real music, but at the same time, obviously being a songwriter, words mean a lot, words transcend to people, words, connect to people, words, bring people together. So. Understanding music and making it worth of value is one of the most important things that you can do being somebody who has the talent to make music. And I find that phenomenal. So let's talk about your documentary for a second, Ed. What was it like actually making? You know, Black Can't Swim and also other things as well, because it must have taken you a long period of time to be able to do that, to find a cast, to, to write it as well, to have the talent to be able to write it and pull it all together. What was that all like for you?

Ed Accura: 29:23

So I'll start with the first one, a film called Black Can't Swim. Um, it was supposed to be a very short film. It was supposed to be an extended, extended music video, actually. And, um, so I went to Mr. Rex and I said, this is what I want to do. I want to make a, I want to make a film about people talking about their personal issues when it comes to swimming. Their life, you know, basically lived experiences and things like that. So I said, so, so, so we did it. So basically, what we did, we got, you know, I've got a few people around me, you know, mainly friends and family. And then there was five questions. Can you swim? Why don't you swim? That kind of thing. And, and we just opened up a conversation, but then he said. And then he showed me, he told me it's going to be about 5, 10, it's going to be about 10, 15 minutes. I was like, showing how naive I was. I go, 15 minutes? I'm on a proper film, man. And he was like, Mr. X was like, if nobody knows you, you guys are You know, you know, the people in the film, you're just everyday people. So, if you sit alone, people, nobody's going to listen to it, nobody's going to watch it, nobody, that kind of thing. So, you have to have some drama into it. So, I said, okay, so I came up with this idea whereby I come downstairs in the morning, you know, come to the living room, put the television on, and then on the news, they're talking about, This heavy rainfall and flooding. And because I can't swim, what do I do? I go out and I buy myself a life jacket and I wear that life jacket everywhere I go. To bed, in the bath, to work. And then my friends are telling me like, I'm like, what's this? Just learn to swim. And I'm like, but then there's a voice in my head, right? Called Mr. Society. Which is reciting everything that's like, no, you're black. You can't swim. Wear that life jacket. You know, knock on. So I'm stuck between my friends and family telling me that, stop being an idiot. Learn how to swim. Then I've got Mr. Society telling me that, nah. You've got those heavy bones, those stereotypes, and all that kind of thing. So I'm stuck between those kind of things. And, and that was, and that was the, the narrative of the story. And then at the end of the story, and at the end of the film, sorry for anybody who hasn't watched it. Um, if you haven't watched it, it's been now since 2019, so shame on you. But at the end of it is the f is the, is the, is the first time I actually got into water to learn how to swim. Actually at the end of the film, see, so, yeah. But yeah, and, and obviously from after that, then we had the, then the sequel, which was based on, um, teenagers, 16 to 25 year olds Using them about their personal journeys and things like that. Yes. And then rewind, which was the last one.

Savia Rocks: 32:07

So talk to me about your new one. I know you touched base on it and I know that you've had, you know, funding for it and so on and so forth. So, so talk to me about your new one and, and why you decided to, to go forth and do this one as well.

Ed Accura: 32:22

So, I, I, and at, at the, at the wake of the year said to myself, I have been doing this for five years.

Savia Rocks: 32:30

You have,

Ed Accura: 32:30

I have made three film documentaries, all funded by myself. Every single penny that's going into it is for my day job and, and, and, and such. And it's like, I put so much money, I've sacrificed so much time with my family, my friends, because I'm doing everything. My whole life revolves around The issue of a disproportionate amount of black people and Asian people that do not swim. So it's like everything is like, it's almost as if I'm, I'm losing out. I put everything to the side. Obviously in my day job, I have to do that because I, otherwise that's where the money comes from. So I have to spend my, but other than that, it's like, I can't, I can't do it. A lot of my friends, right, after work, they sit down, they just listen to music, they do this. After work, I've got another job, I'm just getting this, I'm doing this, I'm doing the campaign, I'm doing this. So I said to myself, I need to understand, What impact I, the last five years has had on, um, the, the situation with, um, diversity in aquatics today. So basically what has changed? Has it made an impact? And if it hasn't, then maybe I need, you know, need to change the strategy or something like that. So I said, okay, I'm going to make a documentary, but this documentary is going to be a collaborative one. So what does a collaborative one? I'm talking about the sector. And, and I said to myself, the only way I can tell whether people are supporting me and supporting what I do or not is by doing a crowdfunding campaign. So I started a crowdfunding campaign, which is, um, it started I think about two months ago. And, um, It's ending up, but it's still running. So people can still, um, if anybody's listening to that, they can still, um, contribute to it. But I said to myself, I will see who supports me and who doesn't. So I made it very clear that it's not necessarily about how much you, you contribute to it. It's just about, I had a friend of me come to me and said, He said, uh, I'm not working at the moment. I really want to support you, but only got five pounds. And I said, thank you. And that meant so much to me because it's not about, like I said, like I said, I am going to make this documentary, whether I make a thousand pounds from the crowdfunding or I make 50, 000 pounds, I am making the documentary.

Savia Rocks: 35:08

I like

Ed Accura: 35:09

that. So, so, so first and foremost, I, I, I, I. spoke to a lot of people. I send messages to a lot of people within the sector, within the aquatic sector saying, this is what I want you to do. This is what I want to do. And are you going to support? And if you are going to support, this is the time. And I think to the community as well, friends and all that kind of thing. And, um, I ain't gonna say much, but there's a lot of people that were like, I heard things, I heard things, you know, saying, what's Ed doing? You know, why is he doing this? Why is he, you know, people look at me as a troublemaker because I open my big mouth and, uh, and, and I, I don't think I'm making up for lost time. Remember at the beginning of the conversation, I said,

Savia Rocks: 35:56

yeah,

Ed Accura: 35:57

I think I'm making up for all those years. So I'm just going on and on, blah, blah, blah, blah, streaming this and this, and this, and that, that kind of thing. And so there's a lot of people who. Probably don't want this documentary to be made. So initially, initially, what it was going to do, well, this is what I was going to do. It was going to be the first half of the documentary is talking about the campaign, everything that's happened over the last five years,

Mel: 36:21

you know,

Ed Accura: 36:22

yeah, that kind of thing. Then we pause and we look at where we are today. And then the next half of it is basically what do we do? We've got, this is information we have now. How do we change that narrative? But because I had very little support from, as I say, from the sector, and I've said, okay, so I'm not going to bring the sector in to come and talk about, because obviously they're not interested because, you know, nobody's people are not interested in. So I said, okay, fair enough. So I'll change the strategy. What I'll do is I'll make the film documentary, and it's probably one of the best, I'll make the film documentary about the youth. Mm hmm. Yeah, and when I say about the youth, the, the, um, what do you call it? The narration, the music, the everything will be done by the youth. Obviously, I'll be in there, and a few of the people in there, you know, talking about the campaign and where, so it's almost as if, you know, We're handing the baton over to the youth. This is what you've done up there. Take it and make it your own because that's the only way we can change this narrative. And the thing is that I can only say so much, but the youth understand the youth. So, the youth, the youth making this document, so basically, obviously, we know, I'll be there and I'm, you know, we are from the back, but the youth are the ones who are going to be the, um, shall I say, the forefront of, they're going to be running the, running the documentary. So they're going to be like us doing the interviews, being interviewed as well. And that's how I aim to start changing the narrative because I always say it's the youth that are going to make this change.

Savia Rocks: 38:12

That's true because they're the next generation and without them we can't make a change and what they learn from us they'll most probably bring to the next generation and it will flow onwards and onwards in that way unless like I say choice where they decide I want to change things and, and be different from the previous generations before. So one of the things I do want to do it is sometimes I like making provoking conversation. You know, I remember you

Ed Accura: 38:39

haven't done this so far. I've done a little

Savia Rocks: 38:43

bit, but not as much as you would have. Normally I do it a lot more, but today I've gone easy.

Ed Accura: 38:50

Wow.

Savia Rocks: 38:52

So you spoke about people not wanting to support you, right, Ed? I don't know if you want to name anyone or anything because I know that can be trouble. But at the same time, the question that I do want to Us is why would they not want to support you? Why would these organizations and these people not want to support you? you know, support something that is going to help the world. It's not just going to help one or two people. It's going to help cultures. It's going to help societies. It's going to make people more aware. It's going to let people know about safety. Why do these organizations not want to help you? I think

Ed Accura: 39:31

you're Using the wrong person. I have no idea. Um, well, someone said to me, someone said it. You're walking around with a target on your back. And I go, why? And they go, well, people are not happy. People are not happy about this documentary. People are saying that, oh, he's ed. He's only doing this to stay relevant. Stating all this to say that I've spent hundreds of thousands of pounds Like I said, Free film documentaries, they're all on Sky. They're on Amazon. They're on all these places. And they're not making me money. I'm not making my money back on them, but they're, you know, streaming is another kind. I don't get to make any money. I put in my own hard earned money. I wouldn't, do you think I would go through all this pain just to stay relevant? I'm doing all this because I, because I believe there's something that needs to be done. Yeah. And I mean, and so, so when people say, Oh, you know, why is he just, why doesn't he just stop and go and do something else? No. Absolutely. Cool. I'm not going to stop and do something else. This is what I'm going to do. So there's a lot of people, I, I, I can't name names because I, you know, at the end of the day at when a documentary comes out, those, that's contributed to it. Mm-Hmm. you know, because you see the names in the credits. Yeah. And, and, and, or you, and you only just have to go into, um, on to the crowdfund crowdfunding campaign and pay that you see people who have contributed to it. So, yeah. So it's, it's pretty straightforward. Um, at the end of the day, uh, like I said. If people want to contribute to it and they feel they believe that what I'm doing and what we are doing is worthwhile is making change them fair enough, but I cannot force anybody to do anything. And, but the good, the good thing, the good thing I like about this campaign is that, like I say, I know you get to see those. That really stand behind, you know, because for the last five years, people say, Oh, Ed, you're doing an amazing thing. It's great. But there's no, there's no, what do you call it? There's no ways of telling, you know, you know, whether it's just lip service or they're actually supporting what I'm doing when you, uh, when you, when you put yourself in a situation whereby you're Using people to support you. Um, and, and, and don't get me wrong. Some people, other people, some people don't have a penny. And I appreciate, but they will, they will, they will repost it or they'll retweet it, or they will do this and all that kind of thing. And that all counts, you know, it's not only, um, a monetary value that, uh, contribu, you know, counts as helping, but, you know, um, but yeah, we'll see. We'll see how it goes. I mean, when this documentary comes out, um, it's going to be, it's coming out in September, um, um, end of September, ready for, um, like History Month. It's going to be, it's it's going to be hard. It's going to be, it's going to be, you know, it's going to be, I can't even say, it's going to be groundbreaking for starters. It's going to be groundbreaking. It's going to be very, very confrontational. Um, we are gonna say it how it is. I am gonna say it's how it is. I'm gonna talk about my personal journey and all the issues I've come across in the last five years. Health, financial pain and all that kind of thing. Things I've never said before, things, things I didn't even say in the book, the visual journey. C but I'll say it on screen and there's gonna be a lot. There's gonna, there's gonna be a lot of things coming out, but it's going to, like I said, it. I can seriously say it's going to change the narrative because The youth that are going to be involved in this documentary are going to take it to a different level.

Savia Rocks: 43:14

See, that's something that I definitely look forward to and even being a part of in some kind of way, you know, so, Ed, what is the best advice you have received from somebody and how has that helped you throughout your life?

Ed Accura: 43:30

Best advice I've received from someone? I get so much advice. Um, where do I start? The best advi The best advice I've received, I can't remember. And I'm probably, I probably, as soon as I come up here, I'll go, I should have said, I should have said this, um, be yourself, be, be, be yourself. Do not try and be someone else.

Savia Rocks: 43:59

Yep. I agree.

Ed Accura: 44:01

Because that's someone else that someone else has been taken. Yeah. And, and, and, and that's just, you know, be, be an individual, be yourself, you know, be yourself. Don't try. And I think it's very bright in this day and age of social media, It's very, very, very hard. Um, and, and I think that leads to a lot of issues with mental health. Because we, you know, it's, it's very, very, and especially as a black man as well. Um, the, the odds are stacked up against us in many, many ways. And so we try and find exits and trying to find ways out and things like that. And I think when you look at it, and especially social media, I have a 13 year old daughter. And so basically I And luckily she, Lolita, is very, very grounded. And, which is good because I worry. Because they're looking at TikTok and looking at Instagram and they're seeing all these beautiful things and seeing all these beautiful places and all these things and all these people are talking about this thing. So it's easy for you to sit down and say, I'm not, I mean, what am I worth? You know, listen, you know, I've got somebody, a friend of mine has posted a picture on social media and has got a thousand likes. I've posted a picture and I've got 50 likes. So people start. You know, judging the, uh, themselves by, by likes, and that's what happened. That's what happened. It's true.

Savia Rocks: 45:32

No, it is what happens.

Ed Accura: 45:33

Yeah. And you say, am I worth it? I'm, you know, nobody likes me. So, so basically, and, and a lot of people are doing things, changing themselves, doing this, creating this environment, which is not true, you know, and I can remember on that same boat trip, right. I listened to this on that same boat trip in Barbados. Because everybody was out, you know, jumping about Island. I'll sit there. These girls came up to, there was about three or four girls. They came up to me and they said, um, excuse me, do you mind moving here? So we can take some pictures here. And, and I go, okay. So they, and I think there were three, four or five of them. So the Sunday and it was there and they were posting, taking the pictures in the same way. And it wasn't for about half an hour. And then I was, I was speaking with them and they were Using me, what are you doing? What are you writing? I was writing a song and all that kind of thing. So we exchanged Instagram details and all that kind of thing. When I, uh, so, so, when I was going through it and I go, Oh, that's, that's the book we were on. Oh, that's the girls. I was looking at the picture. The picture looked as if it was their private boat, and they were the only ones on there. And they go, oh yes, and all that kind of thing. So you can see, they've created this thing that, you know, so it's not real, you know, they've created this environment, it's not real. So, going back to your original question, you say, I like to go all the way around the houses and all that kind of thing. Go back to the thing, just be yourself.

Savia Rocks: 46:55

People

Ed Accura: 46:57

like you, you don't have to be someone else. You don't have to try and impress by doing this, doing that, and all that kind of thing. Be yourself. And that's also that you're a decent human being. You're a good human being. And yeah, you know, people, people will warm towards you.

Savia Rocks: 47:10

So I'm going to turn around and say this to you. If you had to choose one track that was the soundtrack of your life, Ed, what song would you choose? And why would you choose that particular song? You look stressed. Okay. Let me see.

Ed Accura: 47:32

Oh my gosh.

Savia Rocks: 47:39

Okay. Look in these collection guys.

Ed Accura: 47:41

Look at that. That is my very first. I like it, that's cool. Look how young I look there. Smooth. Look

Savia Rocks: 47:52

how

Ed Accura: 47:53

young I look there. Um, you see how I've tried to, um Yeah, you tried to, yeah, Us for it. Yeah, I'm a bit aggressive. Um I love my gay what's going on.

Savia Rocks: 48:11

Okay.

Ed Accura: 48:11

What's going on. And I love because you wake up in the morning and you look outside and you look at the world. And I try and I try and live myself, but I try, I try and be positive, right? I try and be positive in life. But as much as I try and be positive and I try and look at all the good things and all that kind of things I see. There are things out there which is not good, you know, I see people hurt, people in pain and all that kind of thing. So I always Us myself, what's going on, you know, what is going on out there? We need to change, things need to change. And, um, so at the top of my head, I'll say Marvin Gaye, what's going on? And I know probably if you have given me told me before, and you told me that you're going to Us me this question, I would have sat down and I'll be honest. And I know people when you tell them you have people say, Oh yeah, this song. Now, people usually are given notice before so they sit down there and they break it down. I'll say this, I'll say that. Now, put me on the spot. What's going on?

Savia Rocks: 49:11

See, no, so let's, let's talk about judgment. We constantly get judged based upon how we look, who we are, and this is why sometimes I like just to hear someone's voice because you don't necessarily always get judged upon your voice, that the person is just listening to who you are. But if there was no judgment in the world, Ed, what would you do differently within your life and just in general?

Ed Accura: 49:38

If there was no judgment. Okay. So let me just. Let me just think, I wake up in the morning, I have to think about what I'm going to wear for work. So basically, I mean, obviously I have to have my shower because that's a hygiene thing. So, but when it comes to clothes, when it comes to things, There's a lot of things you do, you know, we wear because I know, and I, and I know, and I know a lot of people say, Oh, I, I dress because I want to dress it because of myself, but not the kind of thing to some degree. Some people do, but a lot of people dress because of other people you dress because of your work, because you, because you're The perception is, you know, it's a perception and all that kind of thing. Um, so first and foremost, I'll say clothes that is, um, you know, if, if I could wake up and not be judged and I'll go down the street and I'll go to work and I'll go to go see friends and, and there'll be zero judgments because that's the first thing people see. You know, the people see you and they, I can't, okay, I can't change my face. I can't change my, you know, I can't change my height, but I can change my clothes.

Savia Rocks: 50:50

Yeah.

Ed Accura: 50:51

One thing that people, you know, people judge you by, you know, and people do, people do judge me, right. And, and I get that all the time. And, Um, Um, I, on the soundtrack to Blast, Can, Stream, Rewind, there's a song on there called Ode to my Mental, which is a personal song, it's a very, very, very personal song about myself. I wrote that, actually, I woke up in the morning, I was feeling, I woke up in the morning, I couldn't sleep, and I was feeling down. So I went downstairs. And I voiced my, my feelings, my thoughts into, into my phone. And then later on I said, okay, um, why don't I put this to a song? So I actually re recorded it. And then obviously in the proper mic, proper studio and all that kind of thing. But then it didn't have the feel from the vocals that I did that night when I was, when I woke up in the morning. And, you know, so I actually used the original vocal from the phone. So when you listen to it, this is a bit cracked in there. So, but yeah, it's called ode to my mental, um, my mental and talks about, you know, What do you call your mental, you know, my mental and the state of mind, the things, you know, personal things. So listen to it. Actually, I'm going to post it on Instagram today. Actually, I'm going to post that song on Instagram today. And so, so yeah, but I talk about, When I go to a shop, right? Sometimes I go to a shop, I dress just like this, and I go to a shop and I'm okay. As soon as I put on, um, a hoodie and I put my head on, I go to shop, I get all these followers, I get a security guard following me, So you see perception, perception. You people look at you and they go, oh, you, he's dressed like that. So he must be that he's dressed like this, but he must be this and that kind of thing. So.

Savia Rocks: 52:46

See, so Ed, I've only got two more for you. And my second to last one for you is, what was the last time or when was the last time you felt totally at peace? And the reason why I Used that question is because of the previous question and the way you answered it. So I would just love to know when was the last time that you felt totally at peace with yourself?

Ed Accura: 53:11

I, the last time, I think I'm now, I am at peace with myself. I mean,

Savia Rocks: 53:15

I know.

Ed Accura: 53:16

Yeah, I think, yeah, I think I, I know I'm a good person. I know there's a lot of people out there thinking I'm a pain, but yeah, I think I'm a good person, and I'm a decent person, and I'll go out of my way for someone, for anyone, without expecting anything back. So, yeah. When it comes to being at peace, I think in general, I'm at peace with myself most of the time. Usually when I go to bed and I'm lying down, sometimes what I started doing, or I started, you know, switching off my phone. If my wife is listening to this, she will probably say, no, he doesn't, but yeah, because I'm always, I'm always on the go, always on the go, always on the go, but yeah, yeah. And then sometimes I just lie down and listen to me, you know, just empty thoughts and all that kind of thing. And, and, you know, the world can be a beautiful place, you know, it can be. But there's, yeah, it can be a beautiful place. And, and when I'm in that state of mind, I'm, you know, usually very much at peace with myself.

Savia Rocks: 54:31

I usually find the world a beautiful place four o'clock in the morning when everyone's still sleeping.

Ed Accura: 54:36

Yeah.

Savia Rocks: 54:36

Then I go up to do yoga or, or. Or just clear my thoughts. I find that the best time ever when it, when it's like that. So Ed, I've had the pleasure of interviewing you. And before I say my goodbyes and thank yous, I would love for everyone to be able to find you and all your social media platforms in any way that you would like people to support you, find you, and also just contact you if they want to know more about you and what you do.

Ed Accura: 55:03

So, Edakira, um, you can see the name there, it's a type of Edakira, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Edakira, just, you know, I'm there, I'm everywhere, and if you, so, so, I'd like you to do me a favour. Um, I'll send you the crowdfunding, uh, link. So if anybody wants to donate anything towards this great film documentary, which I'm about to, which we are in pre production at the moment. So yeah. And you can be a part of it. So everybody, everybody who is contributing to it. is part of making history. And this is going to be, this is history in the making. We are changing the narrative. And like I said, we will change that narrative. We will, those figures that you, that I mentioned, 95 percent or 97 percent of black people, we are going to change that. Like I say, now, It might not be today, but we will change that now.

Savia Rocks: 56:06

It will change. It will change. Ed, make sure you send me that link and I'll make sure I pull it everywhere for you as well too. So guys, this is where the time where you can support. I know Ed was also saying, and I'll say the same thing as well. We don't always have money to give, but there's always other ways to support. But if you do have money, you know, This is a good place to support and pull it into, because like Ed says, you can make history happen and you can also educate and tell people that life and things are worth changing. So Ed, this is where I want to say to you, thank you so much for coming on the Us People show, being part of something wonderful, educating people, showing your vulnerable side, but most of all and then anything else is just being yourself.

Ed Accura: 56:51

Thank you very much.

Savia Rocks: 56:53

You're more than welcome guys. This is where I want to thank you for listening and watching the Us people show. And please remember you can subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, iTunes, Google play, and any other platform that you prefer listening to. You can also watch this or listen to this on apple TV, fire TV, free view channel two, seven, one YouTube, LCBN LCBN tv. com guys. You can also listen to this on heart songs live every Wednesday at 9pm. You can also listen to the us people podcast, which is aired every Tuesday with a new guest. And you can also. Watch us and listen to us on Sav U Rox's website, which is my website, or the Us People podcast website. And this is where I say to you guys, thank you so much for listening. Again, stay happy, stay positive, and as always, please continue to be kind to one another. Take care. If you try to, you, you'll see the power, and yes, if you try,

Ed Accura: 58:20

I started. Seriously, it just is. My laptop didn't work. And that's why, that's why we're here having this conversation today. I'll blame HP. Yeah. So I think anyone who looks up and says, it's such a nightmare. He's already bugging me. Is this, is that, and all this blame HP. You can win if you try redirected

Savia Rocks: 58:51

to you, you see the power and yes, if you try, I fly like I'm Superman, spread your wings and let the wind fly, I fly like I'm Superman, spread your wings and let the wind fly, I fly like I'm Superman, spread your wings and let the Spread your wings and let the wind glide you high We're just soaring through this journey Leaving fear far behind Our hearts are full of courage You can win if you try Redirect the S to you You'll see the power in us If you try I'm superman, spread your wings and let them wings fly like a bird.