Team Kareem

What happens when unimaginable loss becomes a lifelong mission to save others?

In this episode of Navigating Neva, we sit down with Arkeisha Reese, President and Founder of the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation, to hear the powerful story behind her nonprofit and the legacy of her son, Kareem.

After losing Kareem to a drowning tragedy in 2006, Arkeisha transformed her grief into action by creating the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation. Since its founding, the organization has worked tirelessly to prevent childhood drownings by providing swim lesson scholarships, CPR training, lifeguard certification scholarships, water safety education, and community outreach. Her work now reaches families far beyond her local community, helping remove barriers so more children can gain lifesaving water skills.

During our conversation, Arkeisha shares:

Kareem's story and the inspiration behind the foundation.
How advocacy became part of her healing journey.
Why access to swim lessons, CPR, and water safety education matters.
The impact Team Kareem is making across the country.
How every family can play a role in preventing drowning.

This episode is a reminder that one person's purpose can create hope for thousands of families. Arkeisha's passion, resilience, and commitment to ensuring that no other parent experiences the loss she endured make this a conversation every parent, educator, aquatic professional, and community leader should hear.

Learn more about the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation at teamkareem.org and follow Team Kareem Memorial Foundation on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070073770048&sk=about
https://www.instagram.com/teamkareemmemorialfoundation/
http://teamkareem.org/

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hey guys, welcome back to Navigating Neva. I am your host, Neva Nicole, and this is my co-host.

SPEAKER_02 0:09

Wesley Kang.

SPEAKER_00 0:11

And today's special guest is Arkeha. Arkecia with team Kareem. Kareem. I was gonna say Team Unity.

SPEAKER_02 0:21

So, you know, we're gonna go to the bottom.

SPEAKER_01 1:04

Hello, my name is Artisa Reese. Thank you for having me today, Nicole and West on your show.

SPEAKER_00 1:10

Yes, we are.

SPEAKER_02 1:11

Thanks for being here.

SPEAKER_00 1:13

To have you, yes. Um let's start at the very beginning. So where are you in in the world or in the United States? Let's tell everybody that first.

SPEAKER_01 1:23

I'm in Florida, Central Florida, yes. The hot the muggy, the rain right now.

SPEAKER_02 1:30

But every every afternoon, four o'clock rainstorms, that's up in Florida. Yes. Yeah, yeah. Um, but your name is everywhere. I I would just start by saying, um, as the and everybody knows Wes has been in aquatics forever, blah, blah, blah. Uh, but from AOAP to medical fitness to uh uh club industry, um, it's been amazing seeing how uh the work you've been doing is spreads everywhere. Um I know it's for a tough reason, and we'll talk about that, but um even my kids know uh the the logo, and even my kids know the water watchers, and so um I always come home with cool badges and cool um information. And um again, I just want to say how grateful we are to have your voice out there and the work you're doing. Um so I'm excited for everybody here learn about the Team Korean Foundation and and um all the efforts you're putting into water safety and drowning prevention.

SPEAKER_01 2:25

Thank you, and I thank you for that, Wes. Yes, I am located in Florida, however, I am national, like you said. Because of my story, I can't say no. So if another state, city called me and would like to have a scholarship, as long as I have funding, I will supply the scholarship because I don't want nobody else to have my story.

SPEAKER_02 2:49

Yeah, let's uh um I know I'm gonna steal Nicole's thunder here, but we've done 80 episodes. She's used to it. Um, would you mind sharing with our audience the story and and why we're here and why why you're on the show, maybe?

SPEAKER_01 3:02

Yes, so um I I am in this part of this world because I've lost Kareem, Angel Green, at the age of five due to drowning. It was his first field trip and his last field trip to water.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Yeah. Age five, you were in Florida, but I'm not mean you were it was it was it in Florida, is that correct? Yeah, right?

SPEAKER_01 3:24

Yeah, yes, it started in Dave. Then I relocated to Broward because you know, mental status is real, right? And to pass the school or to see the same faces was just hurtful. So um, and then I um relocated to Central Florida. So that's how I'm affiliated with South, Central, North, and go on so on.

SPEAKER_02 3:48

Yeah, yeah. And uh for our audience, and again, at whatever level you're comfortable, would you talk about kind of maybe, and you wouldn't we don't have to get into the details, but so much, but you know, there's a road to how you're here today. Um and it and it didn't start with um, you know, amazing handouts, it didn't start with amazing messaging. Maybe for the audience out there, how did you even get into this world after the incident, after the tragedy, to be able to get to a place where you can tell his story? Because um, we're all very amazed by what you put out and and the passion you have behind it. Um, but it wasn't always easy to get there, maybe.

SPEAKER_01 4:22

No, it it well, I figured it was my journey because after Kareem's incident, I started seeing drowning more than often. And then I noticed that it was in our communities, our backyard. You know, more and more as I spoke about him, people will tell me, you know, that happened to me when I was, oh, I almost drowned in somebody, or you know, it never fails. Every water safety class or outreach that I do, I have a couple people tell me that happened to them or they know somebody that happened to. So that's proper.

SPEAKER_02 5:02

Yeah, Nicole um hitting home. I know I'm gonna cry, but uh Arkeisha, I don't think you may know how how home you hit with Nicole. I know she's had some personal experience with that. So you're right.

SPEAKER_00 5:13

Well, I have had some personal experience, but we when we're put into this, I don't know what you would call it, this funnel of people. Um, I do drunk retreats and people tell me stories. So it kind of like, you know, but not to say it's like when you buy a car, you then see the car everywhere. But same thing about yeah, when you start a nonprofit, when you start a podcast, when you're a teacher and you're teaching swimming, the people just feel like you want to hear those stories. And I mean, we do want to hear those stories, but we also don't want to hear another one. Like it's very unfortunate that that did happen or that there is another one, or since then something has happened when that's our mission. Um, so I definitely understand what you're saying there and how everybody shares a story with you. Um, and maybe it's not always what we want to hear, but I guess maybe it's what we are supposed to hear.

SPEAKER_01 6:06

Yeah. I same, I agree with that. And uh I know too, once they tell me that, or I know that they walked away with something, they had the confidence to trust me to say it because they didn't have to say anything. But being that I'm advocating and they see Kareem's story and you know they feel confident enough to talk to me. Yeah, and I'm okay with that. Give him, you know, I give a lot of people a safe haven because you know they look at me and say, Oh, you're strong, and you're out here, because I'll be out there on this birthday, I'll be out there on my birthday, whatever's going on to share the message, but it's not easy. Like you see this shirt I'm wearing, so I have to walk and Kareem's up here, but I have all these other babies, okay? Different ages, different situations, but same with water, right?

SPEAKER_02 7:03

For for our audience out there, and and I'm I cut every guest off, so don't feel special. Um, for our audience out there, the shirt that we're talking about is pictures of multiple children that have drowned. Um, and I know she was gonna talk about it. I think we may have just lost the feed. Um, but all the more reason for you to watch it on YouTube when we get it back up, um, because that's part of the mission. Um, Team Kareem, and again, I've met Arkeisha a few times. God, I hope I'm saying that right. I think I am. Um, and at the booths and at the trade shows. But it's a great context to understand and have it at safe haven. If we don't talk about it, it's never going to get better. And if we don't talk it about people we trust, we're never gonna think about it and change. Um, and so again, I hope we'll get her right back online because the the visual is pretty powerful.

SPEAKER_00 7:52

Yes, I hope she logs right back on. Um while we're waiting on her on standby, I have her stuff, her cards, her water wash, her lanyards, and I think it's when you and I were at AOAP. Yes, last time it was in Florida, and I collected all of her things. Um and I want to say, yeah, yeah, I I wish I had it right here. Um and when we had Tyler Daly on, I think he worked with her. Um I wouldn't be surprised for their walk or what it's with the shirt she has on.

SPEAKER_02 8:22

Because they um I don't want to overspeak, but when we had our first All Things Aquatics event, we had reached out, but the timing was wrong for them to be sponsored and vice versa. Yes. Um but yeah, they they had this uh laminated cards, uh not cardstock, nicer than cardstock, uh keyrings that you could perforate off and you could put um like four of them on with a picture of your kid or the rules for team careem. And so you can put them on your key ring, and then you can put them on your kids' book bags. Um and she's back. And so, yes, this is how we beat out a Smartless podcast and Amy Polar's podcast because we have great guests who have great t-shirts. Uh, show the audience again, Arkisha. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 9:10

So do you add a new child every year or every time there's a walk, there's like more than one child? How does this shirt work? Okay.

SPEAKER_01 9:19

So when I first started, I only had about six children.

SPEAKER_03 9:24

Get ready, folks.

SPEAKER_01 9:25

And now, as you see, I'm running out of space. I'm gonna have to decide am I gonna go up here or on the side, but I don't like it. Every year I have to send to my shirt designer more children.

SPEAKER_02 9:42

Your goal is to never, you're like, uh I don't want to, I want a year.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

Well, I don't have to.

SPEAKER_02 9:47

Right. Like the Jimmy V Foundation put us out of business. Cancer research. Our goal, your goal is to never call your designer again. Correct. Yes, yeah, yeah. Yes. So tell us back though, and again, uh uh, whatever, whatever couple talk us about how you started the idea of just having a shirt and being willing to go out of state and creating the funding, if you wouldn't mind, because there's a lot of audience out there that um I think could get involved if they knew how to.

unknown 10:14

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:15

I started with the shirt because, like before, I people hear me, but until I tell my story, that's when they listen. So I don't like to replay, sorry, I don't like to replay my you know, say my story over and over again because it still hurts me. So I was like, well, let me just make a shirt, a visual, and I can just say this is my Kareem, and here's other children that have passed through the child. So they will see that I'm not just talking, they will see that it doesn't matter the race, they will see that it's different ages. So the shirt speaks for itself.

SPEAKER_02 10:58

Volumes. Um another item that speaks for itself. Uh, while we were getting you back online, Nicole and I recalled one of the times we met you and how you have the uh perforated badges that um have little holes in them that's you might have one behind you.

SPEAKER_01 11:15

Do you have any on the table?

SPEAKER_02 11:16

At least maybe in the picture.

SPEAKER_01 11:18

You can see that on the picture, yeah. It's on the picture.

SPEAKER_02 11:20

Yeah, and so you it almost like you would have like a tag, you peel them out, and then they got little holes in them, you put them in your keychain or your kids' book bag, and then on the opposite side, this is all from memory, by the way. Uh, they've got the team cream rules or the important facts, it's a dinosaur. Okay, keep going. The pledge, oh, it's so close.

SPEAKER_01 11:40

No, you're doing good. You're doing good, but yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, the pledge, you're pledging. Talk about that. Yeah, talk about that. I have pledges that you're pledging to be water safe, you know, in and around the water. You're not running around the water, you're not on the cell phone, you listen to a dope, you swim with a buddy, all these things you need to know. And when you sign that paper or have it with you, that's a swore, that's a promise. I expect you to follow that pledge, like just like in school. You understand what I'm saying? Anywhere you're doing, you it take it that serious.

SPEAKER_02 12:12

Your pledge to be that's a different level of understanding. Yes. Um, for children, again, both of my kids have it. Nicole remembered about it. Um, and even just the way you say pledge and the way you describe it, and uh you know, whether it's pledge of allegiance or you sign your name, my son's 13, he understands if he puts his name on something, he's owning it.

SPEAKER_01 12:33

Yes, it's installed.

SPEAKER_02 12:34

Yeah, keep going. Yeah, go ahead.

SPEAKER_01 12:36

Yeah, yeah, it's you're right. I'm sorry, Wes, but yes, it's installed, you mean it. And then even um, I even say the age. And so I get some of the adults that say I that's something I added. They get the because again, now we know it's a lot of adults don't know how to swim either. We see a lot of people running in trying to save a child and don't know how to swim themselves, you know.

SPEAKER_00 13:01

That just happened, West, like in Florida, somewhere like just happened.

SPEAKER_02 13:05

So was it the father-son thing? Was that the or no?

SPEAKER_00 13:08

This is no. Do you know what I'm talking about?

SPEAKER_01 13:11

Yes, it was a mother, yes, it was a little boy, a four-year-old boy, and he dropped something in the water, left behind five other children. She has six children total. So she went, that's one of them. Sorry, never. That's that's the recent one.

SPEAKER_00 13:31

Yes, and D land. Yes, okay. That's yes, that's the one I'm talking about.

SPEAKER_02 13:35

And the to clarify, the mom passed away, yes, and the little boy. And the boy while everybody else was on deck or on land. Yes. Okay, not that I needed the clarity, but just so I have yeah, for the audience. Okay, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:48

And then I saw something else recently. I don't remember the whole story, but four of them, four or five of them, they've kept jumping in. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So five people died, four to five people, like one after the next. Yes. So that's another thing that I do. I don't care if I'm at um you know, outreach, but I always recommend reach throw. Oh, yeah, don't go.

SPEAKER_02 14:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:13

I don't know if you see it.

SPEAKER_02 14:15

You see, oh, with the graphic tree. So it's a ring blue, right?

SPEAKER_00 14:17

You gotta hold it in front of you so that we can see it that way. Yes, okay, yes. There we go. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01 14:23

You know, so I, you know, I take samples and let them practice. And um, my latest thing, which is I think is funny, that I started with the little kids. I purchased different size noodles, different colors. So I tell them, Go pick out one that you think go save life. Go pick out one that you think is it'd be so bad. They're all the same. It doesn't matter. Just grab something quickly.

SPEAKER_02 14:56

I knew I'd be crying for one side, they'd be laugh crying. That's hilarious. That's my kind of trip. Oh, no, the pink one's gonna save somebody. No, the green one's gonna save somebody.

SPEAKER_01 15:07

Right, right. But they learned that it doesn't matter. Quickly grab something and throw it.

unknown 15:14

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_02 15:15

Yes. Oh, this is making my heart sing. Um, talk to us if you're asking.

SPEAKER_00 15:20

Well, well, West asked Wes asked some important questions, but he didn't ask how and where you because you have a nonprofit. So your your shirt is amazing, your story's amazing, but how did you get started with the I was gonna ask about the dinosaur, but keep going, you're a better interviewer. Well, you yeah, we can talk about the dinosaur in a minute. Um I know a lot of people that have been in her shoes and they just don't know where to go from there or how to do stuff, which everybody can do their own, that's great, but sometimes joining somebody else is great. But how did you get started? How did this happen?

SPEAKER_01 15:54

I just started with of course at a time. It took a few years because it took me some time.

SPEAKER_02 16:02

That's helpful to know for the audience. Yes, they don't happen overnight. No, please, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 16:07

So in 06, I didn't start a foundation to 2015. We just reached our 10-year mark.

SPEAKER_02 16:15

Congratulations.

SPEAKER_01 16:17

Thank you. And when I tell you this last couple years is when I'm really on the radar, it's some work. So if you can partner with somebody, if you can help somebody, you know, we always looking for somebody to help market events to make it great, you know, and it could go back to help your organization, or either what I do too is if you help raise funds, I will grant a scholarship in your child's name.

SPEAKER_02 16:44

How about that, folks?

SPEAKER_01 16:45

Oh, that's great. Say that again. I will, if you help raise funds for our scholarship program, I will grant a scholarship in your child's name.

SPEAKER_02 16:55

Right. I want the audience to hear this is you don't have to wait for a tragedy to happen. No, that's my point, is right. Please don't appreciate it. Right, that's what I'm saying.

SPEAKER_01 17:08

We always wait for yeah, yeah, yes, and then the myth on you gotta wait till you're four, you gotta wait till you're five. Come, you know, try it early. Now, if you're not coming when they're a baby, but as soon as they start walking, because guess what? They're gonna be curious, they're walking to the pool, they're able to, you know, touch more places or reach more things than when you're carrying them, you know, and stay in arm's reach always, please.

SPEAKER_02 17:37

Your education starts before they even get in the water, but to your point, you're customizing the swim lessons, if I'm not mistaken, correct? Right? Yes.

SPEAKER_01 17:44

So what I do is I have a questionnaire that we talk to the parents, and then we also uh when they first go for the first lesson, so it's like an exam, you know. Um, and we'll get to know the child and their skills and see what they, you know, they need, not what they call her for, but what will help them. Because my thing is not just the introduction to twinning lessons, I need you to learn, okay. So it's a lot of it's a lot of that's a whole nother story, but it's a lot of um one-dayers, but you need more, okay? You need more. Um, go ahead. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_02 18:29

Well, but even uh again, giving credit to you and the and how you're pursuing this. Nicole and I love one-day events. The world loves one day.

SPEAKER_01 18:39

We love oh no, no, no, no, no. Let me rephrase that. I'm talking about learning.

SPEAKER_02 18:43

I this is where I was going.

SPEAKER_01 18:45

Yeah, I do one-day events. We're gonna introduce one of them to it.

SPEAKER_02 18:49

Thank you. That's what I was getting at. Is I love how you build beyond it, right? It's we're gonna be here today, we're gonna be here tomorrow, we're gonna be there the next day. And I think that's not as easy to do sometimes. You've chosen to do the harder path, which is to stick around, yes, and and to build that bridge from uh home safety, birth safety, bath safety in the pool swimming, and and then carrying it forward to the adult. And so, yeah, you're right, it's just it's much beyond that one-day event for sure.

SPEAKER_01 19:17

Yes, and then we're there to let them know, okay, we're trying this, let's sign you up for some more lessons.

SPEAKER_03 19:25

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 19:26

Let's, and then they'll sign up, you know, and then after they get comfortable now, we not only need to teach them about the pool, we need to teach them the lake, we need to take teach them about the ocean because a lot of people do not know about rip current. They, you know, so it's a lot of education. And granted, you know, I every year I go to conferences and get more educated, it's new things coming out, you know. But the key is education. So never say never and don't be afraid to ask questions.

SPEAKER_02 19:58

That's a great reminder. Well, you mentioned it earlier, and I'll double down on it. The way you invite people into the conversation, I've been at your booth many times. Um, it encourages people to tell their story. Nicole mentioned earlier. And if you're not gonna tell your own story, you're never gonna be willing to be educated. And I just think the way you go about it. So again, I know I teach this earlier, but would you help the audience understand uh the logo? Why why the logo you guys chose? Because I think it helps.

SPEAKER_01 20:29

Because that was Kareem's favorite toy. Wherever he went, he had a dinosaur in the bathtub, going to school, those was his colors, so that's Kareem's toy.

SPEAKER_02 20:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:41

That's why we yeah.

SPEAKER_02 20:42

And it makes it easier, and I know it's not always easy to talk about, but as uh an advocate, as an audience member, as a parent, it makes it easier to have that conversation versus, you know, I don't know, something maybe less inviting. And um, and and whether it was chosen that way or not, I don't know. But I can tell you it starts a lot of conversations, and that's where this begins, because as you mentioned, this education cannot happen overnight. No, it cannot happen in just one swim lesson. Um, and it's got to reach all levels and all audiences. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 21:12

Yes, yes, I agree. And it's funny you will say that because a lot of people may not know or they they approach me as I know you, you're the dinosaur lady. I know you know remember my day, they're like, I saw that dinosaur before, you know.

SPEAKER_02 21:30

So that's awesome. I I mean you're yeah, I yes, yes, that is a great way to be known because it means your message is getting out, and yes, whether it's the schools, whether it's the the uh local events, um as I mentioned at the outfront, I've seen your booth at some non aquatic events. Yes, and that's one thing I don't think is so easy to do. Would you talk to the audience maybe a little bit how you've been able to crack that code locally or nationally to get that type of audience?

SPEAKER_01 21:59

I'm just going. To networking meetings, I'm inviting myself to certain places and spaces and letting them know that I am willing to come and give this information. Okay. I love it. Um, I'm actually I have an event coming up next month where it's um prevention, safety and it's prevention, right? But what is safety without water safety? So I'm in that space as well. Next month.

SPEAKER_02 22:27

I love that. Is that local? We could promote it. Do you want to talk about it?

SPEAKER_01 22:31

It's in I'll send you the flyer if that's okay, but it's in um Orlando.

SPEAKER_03 22:35

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 22:36

So I definitely will send you the information if y'all want to link it in. And then after that, October 3rd, I have a fundraiser, which is I normally have a gala, but this year I'm doing it a little different. We're gonna have a fundraiser and awards event, and it's gonna be from four to eight on October 3rd and Eaton deal. So I could send you that as well. So I'm looking for tell us more.

SPEAKER_02 23:00

What does that entail? What is that awards event and ceremony? Yeah, tell us.

SPEAKER_01 23:03

So you're gonna you're gonna be able to hear a few stories. Um, Mr. Smith, I don't know if you're familiar with him, Carlos Smith, he's one of the senators that um expanded the voucher program in Florida. So he's actually he came to my walk this past June, and he's gonna be at the fundraiser as well, him and Anna. So he's gonna talk about the bill he passed, and then we'll have a few other parents that uh share their story. We have a few scholarship recipients share their experiences and raffles, drink, food, options, and you said October 3rd?

SPEAKER_02 23:42

Yes, fantastic day after my anniversary, and where in Florida?

SPEAKER_01 23:46

Eatonville, Eatonville. So that's close, that's in Orlando, so it's like my winter park area, but well, as long as it's not at the big Orlando convention center, because that thing is insane.

SPEAKER_02 24:00

Yes, it is, you could lose miles off your life just looking up in that place exactly.

SPEAKER_01 24:05

I hit it one year, and I'm I parked somewhere else, and when I found out I had to go over that way, I'm like, oh, not doing this again. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 24:20

Absolutely. Uh, but that's what again to your point, and when we talk about the aquatic events and um and DPA and National Drowning Prevention Association and AOAP. Um but I think it's important too, like we can preach to the choir, but what you're doing is really getting out of the your our bubble or our silos as we talk about aquatics and getting to the fire departments, getting to the gallets, getting the local community because that's where the humans are, right? Right.

SPEAKER_01 24:47

And again, like I said, it's all all about calling in accent or going to an event and letting them know what you do. Yeah, I'm quite sure some places will be like, yes, come on and join us because it will help take something off their plate and then also educate on what they're not educating on, you know? And I'm affiliated with uh, like you said, NDPA. I actually won the award a few years ago. They I got an award, I was one of the recipients.

SPEAKER_02 25:15

Oh well, was the award for the audience? Yeah, what was that?

SPEAKER_01 25:19

Oh, it was like Hero Reward Award from end up NDPA. I'm sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, so I got that a few years back. So that was a big accomplishment because this nationally, you know, um, I'm part of Families United, which is a club that I love because we are United, but a club I don't like because I wish we wasn't a part of it.

SPEAKER_03 25:42

Okay, understood. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:44

But um, and I deal with other organizations, you know. I feel it's better to work as a team, and that's another reason why it's called Team Kareem. I can't do it just I I need a team. It takes more of us because I get, you know, it's it's it's not an easy task, and it's personal because it's my son. I've been affected, and I don't like it.

SPEAKER_02 26:11

In an estate that hits home, maybe more than Idaho or Wyoming, God bless those states, but you're I mean Oh, we're at 76 right now. Thank you, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 26:22

Yeah, yeah, that's not good. We ain't even through with the summer. But when I tell you every morning when I wake up, I'm getting an inbox or I'm getting a text, and they telling me, Did you see this or did you hear? And I'm like, I don't know if I should just get off at sometimes because it's it's happening more and more.

unknown 26:44

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_02 26:44

And that's I mean, that's why we do this to be very transparent and blunt, not at the risk of crying again. You you mentioned all the varieties and the ways it can happen and all the approaches, and and you said it a minute ago. It is a team effort. That's why Nicole and I work, that's why all things aquatics. And that's what I encourage the audience to do is just reach out and say, Hey, I'm an estate. I heard about it. How do I get more information? How do I get this in my schools? How do I get these badges? How do I get these wristbands?

SPEAKER_01 27:12

Exactly. Because it's everywhere. If we don't have them, we'll find them. Somebody have them. Somewhere, you know what I mean? Like, yeah, um, we'll get them to you. You know, we we have other organizations that have more or may have a bigger budget, but we have a network. So all you gotta do is email me and find out. I don't care what state you in, what city you in. If I can't help you, I know somebody who can.

SPEAKER_00 27:36

I love that. I love that. Absolutely. So let me ask you a few questions for our listeners, because you said some things, and I pick up on them real quick because I know what you're talking about. But um, you said I forgot what you said. You said a few things, but one that I heard you say really good is eyes down or no phones or eyes on the pool or no phones in your hand. Um what what are rules you tell parents?

SPEAKER_01 28:02

Or say that when it kids tell them everybody again, if your kid is in a pool, be right there with them. Arm reach. Arm reach. Arm reach, be there with them. You can have a cell phone on deck, but don't have it in your phone scrolling because it only takes seconds. You have it on deck in case you need to call 911, not to be out there making a phone call. Every time that I and then also when you go somewhere, you need to find out where is the booze, where's something I could throw in the inventory, or I mean case of or where's the ADs, or where, you know, first of all, analyze the area. Is there a lifeguard on duty? If not, but again, lifeguards is not the guard your child. Life guards is surfacing, you know, walking around, they watch, they could catch, but it's your job to be in that water at arm's reach with your child.

SPEAKER_02 28:58

I love the line. Uh, but it's steal it. Um, your phone is here to call 911. No, no, no, for no other reason. Yes, like and I'm not being mean. If I said that, you know, if I my wife is on the phone playing video games, I get in trouble. But if I'm at a pool, I can turn to it and say, Hey, the only reason you got a phone out is called 911. Are we calling 911? No, we are not. Okay, right, right. That's a great clean message, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:23

And nine out of ten, too, you want to try to protect it because you get in the water, right? Yeah, sunny, yeah. You know, it's too sunny out there.

SPEAKER_02 29:30

You want to smell your drink on it, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:32

Yeah, right. So it's like tell your people if you, you know, if you've more important, because they mean I'm gonna be at the pool from such and such. I have even missed a lot of calls, but they know, oh, you must was at the pool today. You yeah, I you know, I call you back, you know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_02 29:49

Um, we went to the mall in the 90s like that. We can go to the pool in this decade like that.

SPEAKER_01 29:54

Enjoy it. Yes, the water is fun, but you need to respect it at all times. So and I go to loc, you know, pools and different events, and I be watching other people's children. I automatically have a sensory for oh my god, look at this kid over here, look at mom over there.

SPEAKER_02 30:16

You clock them, right? From the minute they get it. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:19

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So even now, going to the pool, I wear this shirt. Oh, what is that?

SPEAKER_02 30:26

Oh, you know, my son, you get what I'm saying. My heart goes out, but like that is yes, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:33

It's a conversation piece.

SPEAKER_02 30:35

It's a conversation, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:36

It is, it is. So I want to piggyback off of something you just said that I don't think a lot of parents want to accept or hear. And you said, even though there's a lifeguard, watch your kids, and I want to chime in from having lifeguards, training lifeguards, managing lifeguards, the lifeguards are watching the whole book. But when we have a parent that's watching their child, let's just say one lesson. That parent sees that child within like the millisecond it happens within like four seconds. And the lifeguard may have seen that child within the first 10 seconds. But the mama always saw them first. So I think sometimes parents are like, uh, the guard's watching. Well, the guard is watching, but the guard is not watching your baby, only you are watching your baby. So that's why it's really important that you need to have your eyes everywhere the whole time.

SPEAKER_01 31:28

Yes, and then um that's why I have the water watcher tags. I don't have it with me right now, but I have a tag with a whistle that you will have with you. And if that's telling you, everybody that's around, I'm the water watcher. So I'm watching everybody in water that came with me, yeah, or who I'm with. If I need to go use my phone, if I need to go to the bathroom, if I need to check the food, I'm passing it along to someone else to say, hey, you the watching now.

SPEAKER_02 32:00

We used to put a dunce camp on people, but yes.

SPEAKER_01 32:03

Yes, because so many stories, oh, I just ran here, or I just did no, I don't want to hear it. And I know no other parent wants to hear it.

SPEAKER_02 32:16

You're so spot on. One of the things sitting in the guard chair that I used to teach and and love is um don't count on it, but appreciate when that parent is in the water. Don't forget that you know, because the parent's gonna turn away too, but clock it, remind it, and then thank them. And to your point of the t-shirt, really celebrate what for for staff out there listening, for uh professionals out there listening, when you see a parent in the water with the child, celebrate them, thank them, give them a free cup of juice. It doesn't matter. Like, yes, because that behavior, they might not even know how powerful that behavior is, but Nicole knows, Arkeisha knows, uh, and we in the industry do know. So if you're listening out there, thank the parents that are doing that.

SPEAKER_01 32:56

Yes, I agree. Yeah, I agree, and then also I what I've also learned too, because again, I do got scholarships for swimming lessons, CPR, and lifeguard training. I implemented lifeguard training when we had the shortage because it was a real big shortage in Florida. So my trainers started when um by me telling them the story. So guess what? They take it a hundred times more serious because they know that they're in charge. They even came to me the first time, and a couple of them, that's why I say they, because it didn't happen just once, it didn't happen at one location, and they be able to pin a different lifeguard or different, you know, and they like they don't take it seriously. I'm you you get what you're saying.

SPEAKER_02 33:52

They recognize the difference of what they understand when they're working with you versus somebody might have got trained in another environment or trained on another. Uh-huh. That's goosebumps right there. Yeah, to have that sort of feedback. And so again, uh this is Nicole Schultz, so you can send her the letters, but we all train lifeguards. We all have to train right by the book, we have to train exactly what the book says. But when we're doing in-services, or we're bringing in sp guest speakers, or we're doing trainings, or we're having people understand what our purpose is, that lifeguard is gonna operate differently because they heard what team Kareem said, or they got a scholarship from team, and that lifeguard is gonna stand up and go, wait a minute, I know what I'm doing is different. And I just love that impact.

SPEAKER_01 34:39

Yeah, thank you. Yes, so please, lifeguards you're listening, take your job serious, even though watching each child isn't your job, but make sure you do your job. That's it. Do your job, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 34:55

Do your job, yeah. Absolutely. This has been wonderful. Um, any closing thoughts, Nicole or Arkeha? This has just been so powerful.

SPEAKER_00 35:04

Yes, I wanted to ask you, where are you the most? Where should people look for you? Is it Facebook? Is it Instagram? Is it the website?

SPEAKER_01 35:12

Both all three. You can find me anywhere. So um my sorry, my website is teamkareem.org. My social media channels is Team Kareem Memoria Foundation.

unknown 35:26

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 35:26

That's for Instagram and for Facebook. So and then you may find me under Arkeisha, but uh those are my um channels. I'm still working on that too, because you know you get larger, and then it was some things change with Facebook. Well, you gotta do a business and everything in your purse, you know. So yeah, but you can find me. My emails there. If there's any questions, please don't be afraid to um send me an email and reach out. Like I said, if I can't help you, I will work on someone to help you.

SPEAKER_02 36:01

I know people, absolutely, and then and I'll just double down on that quickly. If you're out there and you don't have wristbands promoting drowning prevention, or you don't have somebody you partnered with at a part district or YMCA, absolutely reach out, even if it's just to say, hey, send me a few flyers, or even just to say, how do I even start to tell my community about this important work? Like that it all starts with just those kind of subversations.

SPEAKER_01 36:25

Yeah, speaking of that, I just I just expanded to Tampa as well. And we're doing our first CPR training to the teachers. Um, it's like a bridge program, like a prevention academy. And there you go. Again, bingo. They like, wow, we need that. Yes, you do, right? Let me tell you.

SPEAKER_02 36:44

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. This has been um again, it's been a pleasure to get to know you more than I've gotten to in those quick short minutes. Um ironically, that's why we do all things aquatic. So we get right, yeah, a longer conversation. So let's that's be the last one for sure. And um, yeah, absolutely. Um, what else we got, Nicole? Anything?

SPEAKER_00 37:04

Uh no. Wonderful. No, I mean, I think we covered pretty much all of it. Um, you do an annual gala, you do a walk once a year. I think we hit on all the big highlights and takeaways, um, scholarships anywhere, not just in Florida.

SPEAKER_02 37:18

Just get your wristbands and everything, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 37:21

Get your badges, watches tags, pamphlets.

SPEAKER_02 37:25

Yep, yeah, absolutely. Pledges, pledges, those are so good.

SPEAKER_00 37:29

Yes, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 37:30

So yeah, absolutely. Well, we look forward to connecting further and supporting you any way we can. And um, and just want to thank the audience.

SPEAKER_01 37:38

Oh, Wes, before you go, I'm sorry. Um, one more thing, another thing that I'm working on. It's the last thing, I promise.

SPEAKER_04 37:44

Sure.

SPEAKER_01 37:45

Transportation. I am looking for a sponsor for a 15 pasture. They logo could go on the van, or whoever helps sponsor it can put their you know, logo on it because I do have a few centers that have an issue getting to the pools.

SPEAKER_02 38:05

Sure.

SPEAKER_01 38:06

So I don't want no excuses.

SPEAKER_02 38:08

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 38:09

So this will help.

SPEAKER_02 38:11

Yeah, okay. Yes, yeah, yeah. So action. Yeah, yes, absolutely. So if you've got a van or you've got a ride service and you want to buy one. Buy a van for the team Korean Foundation.

SPEAKER_01 38:23

I'm 501c3. You can get a celebrate. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 38:28

Um cool. Uh well, you know who we're gonna call? Who did the exhibit? We're gonna call exhibit, and we're gonna get pimp my ride, and we're gonna bring the show back, and we're gonna start with your van. Thank you. That's how we're gonna do it. See, that's how we climb the ladder, Nicole. Yes, look how Amy Poehler and Jason Bateman.

SPEAKER_00 38:46

I mean, you're like, well, you you aged us there talking about Pimp My Ride. I mean, oh yeah, all right. I know. And I'll bring you.

SPEAKER_02 38:52

And the real world, too. We're ready now.

SPEAKER_00 38:55

We are ready, yes. Are we gonna have our house in Florida?

SPEAKER_02 38:58

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 39:00

Please come down and do it.

SPEAKER_02 39:03

Well, thank you.

SPEAKER_00 39:04

Yeah, we're gonna wrap it up and then we're gonna link all your socials in the show notes so anybody listening can find us. If you're driving, please pull over, listen safely. And then, as always, we want zero drownings. So until next time, everybody, stay safe.

SPEAKER_03 39:23

Everybody.