EP 42: Seeding Change with Richard Yelland and Jeremy Black

Never have the stakes been higher. We are facing an environmental crisis,... climate change, soil degradation, plastic pollution and loss of biodiversity.

While business is often at the root of these problems, it can also be a part of the solution. Today I am talking with Richard Yelland and Jeremy Black, producers of the documentary, Seeding Change. 

Richard, a highly accomplished filmmaker and Jeremy, a co-founder of Sambazon, set out to tell the story of Sambazon and their journey over the last 20 years as an organic, fair-trade Acai company. Along the way, they realized there was a bigger story to tell, that of how triple bottom line businesses like Sambazon, are making a positive impact in the world. 

Today we’re talking about all that lead up to the film Seeding Change and, of course, the film itself and its mission to educate consumers on how we can all help save the world one purchase at a time.

About Richard Yelland

Richard Yelland is an Emmy® Award nominated director and award-winning filmmaker. Powerful visuals and strong performances are a trademark of his projects for Nike, HISTORY, Surfrider Foundation, Sambazon & Outside Television. “Richard is a fantastic filmmaker,” said Oscar® nominee Morgan Spurlock.

Richard's documentary film "Floating: The Nathan Gocke Story", was ‘Emerging Documentary' winner at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. His next film, 12 Miles North: The Nick Gabaldon Story, presented by Nike, tells the story of the first-documented African American surfer and is “Unlike any surf film you've ever seen,” according to ESPN. 12 Miles North was a 2014 Webby Award winner and inspired Santa Monica's annual Nick Gabaldon Day.

"Sine Qua Non: The Psychology of Big Wave Surfing with Greg Long", Richard's following effort, was an official selection at the Maui Film Festival and winner at the 2014 BLUE Ocean Film Festival.

His latest feature, "The Long Way Back" documents the addiction that nearly killed Todd ‘Z Man' Zalkins after the overdose of his longtime friend and Sublime front man, Bradley Nowell. A Best Documentary winner at The Phoenix Film Festival, The "Long Way Back" received exclusive coverage in Rolling Stone and global distribution from The Orchard (SONY).

Richard received his Emmy nomination for “Pool,” a PSA he wrote and directed for the Life Rolls On Foundation featuring wheelchair "pool skater" Darwin Holmes.

About Jeremy Black

Jeremy Black is a co-founder of Sambazon Acai.  Taking the leap from a successful career as a financial planner, Jeremy joined brother Ryan Black (CEO) and friend Ed Nichols in early 2000 to introduce açaí to the U.S.market.  In addition to helping create global awareness and demand for an unknown fruit, the team pioneered a sustainable business model in the Amazon to import organic, fair trade superfoods.

Jeremy was a key player in Sambazon’s rapid growth from startup to a $100+ Million dollar global brand.  From meager beginnings of one product at a handful of juice bars around Southern California, Jeremy spearheaded the development of the brand, the products and the marketing for a full portfolio of products in frozen, juice, energy and supplement categories that are now sold in health food stores, juice bars and conventional grocery stores across the globe.  Over the past 17 years, Jeremy helped the Sambazon team create an entirely new category in the natural foods category and a business that creates positive socio-economic and environmental change. 

As an avid surfer, yogi and snowboarder, Sambazon has become a way of life for Jeremy, providing organic energy for worldwide travels and active pursuits. 

Resources Mentioned

Toolkit https://www.seedingchangefilm.com/take-action

Connect with the Filmmakers

The Film https://www.seedingchangefilm.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seedingchangefilm/