Phanat Xanamane and Carl Cooper
Recorded
December 20, 2023
Archived
December 20, 2023
40:38 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby023421
Description
Friends and entrepreneurs Phanat Xanamane (43) and Carl Cooper (34) discuss their community garden and market in New Iberia, Louisiana and how they hope to give back to the community and the youth.Subject Log / Time Code
Carl (C) details how he and Phanat (P) met. C says he and P both knew Mr. Rudy who was very community and civic minded and who ran the business House of Rudolph.
P says he was working on the New Iberia community garden for several years before meeting C. C says he began working on the community garden and he and P developed a friendship and working relationship.
P says his family and him are refugee immigrants from Laos. P says he studied urban design and Columbia University and after traveling the world decided he wanted to dedicate his thirties to improving his community in New Iberia.
C describes how he treats youth. He says he tries to be a down to earth, positive figure.
C shares the challenges he faced running a market in New Iberia, such as trying to introduce new food to the community.
P says more about his upbringing, his family's garden, and how eating fresh produce was a regular part of his life.
C describes how rewarding it is to grow your own food. He details customers who have gained new habits.
P describes the traditional religious beliefs of the New Iberia community, mainly Baptist and Catholic. C explains how his spiritual beliefs developed over time and the influence of African spirituality. P talks about his Buddhist spirituality.
C and P reflect further on the change they've been able to make in the Iberia parish.
C and P discuss what is needed to help youth in the community and combat youth violence.
C and P share what they've learned from one another.
Participants
- Phanat Xanamane
- Carl Cooper