Category Archives: interview

Unheard Voices from the BP Oil Spill

Unheard Voices from the BP Oil Spill

Like the documentary A Village of Versailles told the story of the Asian community during Hurricane Katrina, Green for All is giving a voice to the Vietnamese community affected by the BP Oil Spill. Besides the ecological disaster, an economic disaster is sweeping through the communities in the region. For the Asian American community, the catastrophe is further compounded by lack of translators to foster communication and economic relief options. With a heavy base in the fishing industry, the local Vietnamese community has been one of the hardest hit. Local leaders are working to create quality, long-term green jobs to offset the economic costs of the oil spill. Check out some of these stories that you won’t hear on TV or news reports. Listen to the unheard voices from the BP Oil Spill.

Thousands of Americans whose livelihoods depend on the waters of the Gulf Coast are now scrambling to make ends meet. Here’s the story of Theresa Seafood Inc. :

Louisiana US Representative Joesph Cao and local residents share their stories

The Mary Queen of Viet Nam Community Development Corporation supports New Orleans East, a large Vietnamese and African-American community. It provides business development, affordable housing, urban farm, community organizing, social services, healthcare outreach, and environmental justice programs. Now, it is hoping its plans for a 28-acre Viet Village Urban Farm can help lead New Orleans to a sustainable future. This farm will create green jobs and provide healthy food to the community. The organization is hoping to break ground in 2011. Learn more about the Viet Village Urban Garden

10 Questions with the Dalai Lama

10 Questions with the Dalai Lama

Time Magazine sat down with the Dalai Lama to ask 10 questions from the public. Questions include:

Do you see any possibility of reconciliation with the Chinese government within your earthly lifetime?
Do you ever feel angry or outraged?
Have you ever thought about being a normal person instead of the Dalai Lama?
Will you be able to fulfill your destiny if you never go home again?
Do you believe your time here on earth has been a success?
Have you ever tried on a pair of trousers?

He answers some of the questions on video. See the rest of the questions and responses here. The Dalai Lama is on the promo circuit promoting his book Toward a True Kinship of Faiths.

10 Questions with the Dalai Lama

More about the Dalai Lama
He was enthroned as the Dalai Lama at the age of four, making him the 14th earthly reincarnation of the Buddhist Lord of Compassion. He has served as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists and led Tibet until he was forced out by Chinese occupiers in 1959, after which he fled to exile in India. Since then the Dalai Lama has traveled the world advocating for a free Tibet, democracy in China and an end to human-rights violations. He has published numerous books on theology, philosophy and international relations. His latest, Toward a True Kinship of Faiths, is on sale now.

Taiyo Na interview with channelAPA.com

Taiyo Na interview with channelAPA.com

channelAPA.com East Coast Tour videos continues with Taiyo Na. We speak with him about his music background and what influences his music. Last year, Taiyo Na released his music video Lovely to Me (Immigrant Mother). He tells us about this music video and his collaboration with Magnetic North. Taiyo Na is also one of the guys behind the Sulu series. If you’re in New York, you can also see him as one of the hosts of the TV show “Asian America” on PBS.

Look for Taiyo Na and Magnetic North at the Home:Word release party tomorrow along with Heather Park and Cynthia Lin.

Taiyo Na interview with channelAPA.com

Padma Lakshmi on Nightline

Padma Lakshmi on Nightline

Padma Lakshmi, the host of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” was profiled on Nightline yesterday. She is a woman of many talents. Not only is she a TV host, but she’s also a model, cookbook author, actress, jewelry maker, and mother. (One look at the Padma Lakshmi Carls’ Jr. commercial and you’ll quickly see how she combines her talents.) She’s always had a passion for food since childhood as she grew up in New York after immigrating from India. Even when she was modeling, she’d visit the local markets.

With all the success she’s had, Padma Lakshmi doesn’t hide the fact that she’s not perfect. She doesn’t hide her deep long scar on her arm, the result of a car accident as a teen. As a model, she didn’t hide it or cover it up. She also suffers from endometriosis, when the tissue that makes up the lining of the uterus begins to grow outside of the womb. The cells can spread to other organs in the abdomen, causing pain, cramping, scar tissue and infertility. After several surgeries for endometriosis, she gave birth to her baby girl, Krishna. Learn more about Padma Lakshmi here.

Padma Lakshmi on Nightline

William Lee from betterasianman interview

William Lee from betterasianman interview

William Lee of betterasianman met up with channelAPA.com on our East Coast Tour. Check out our interview with us. He offers his insights on how Asian American men can break stereotypes from changing their mindset to gaining confidence. His podcasts feature prominent individuals who shape our community and provide an inspiration and a source of pride for Asian Americans everywhere. Hear some of what he has to say.

William Lee from betterasianman interview

Ellie from Seoulbeats and AATheory interview

Ellie from Seoulbeats and AATheory interview
As part of the channelAPA.com East Coast Tour, we hit up Ellie from Seoulbeats and AATheory. In the interview, you can tell she’s full of personality. She speaks to us about her websites and what keeps her motivated. Check out her site for Kpop entertainment and commentary on Asian American entertainment.

Ellie from Seoulbeats and AATheory interview