By kirkwood Times Kirkwood’s Franciscan Sisters displayed 200 diverse nativity scenes for Christmas at their Tau Center, 335 S. Kirkwood Road. The unique displays have now given way to Epiphany Season concerns and planning for 2026. A key event for 2026 for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Help is the 125th anniversary of their coming to St. Louis. Their Gateway City history includes years of care for the creation, the sick, poor, and struggling immigrants. “In fact, carin

Congratulations to our Steering committee member Sekhar Prabhakar and Shashi Bhushan who were featured alongside numerous business leaders who invest in the St. Louis community. Read more here

In September 2025, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an updated projection for net immigration, forecasting that the immigrant population age 16 and older would grow by 408,000 in 2025. However, according to Current Population Survey data, the U.S. immigrant population age 16 and older fell by 1.86 million people between January and November 2025—dropping from 50.40 million to 48.54 million. This decline was entirely concentrated among non-naturalized immigrants.

Report highlights economic development across the St. Louis region The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership has released its 2025 end of year report, highlighting a year of progress supporting business growth and regional vitality across St. Louis City and County. The report outlines key accomplishments from each division of STL Partnership, including business development, business retention and expansion, business finance, strategic initiatives, the St. Louis Mosaic Pr

By Post Dispatch Sulaiman Sulaimankhil sat down to snack on some Oreos after giving blood in the cafeteria of the International Institute Friday, others trickling in past him to donate.  An Afghan who came to the U.S after the fall of Kabul in 2021, he and the U.S. Afghan Chamber of Commerce, based in St. Louis, helped organize the blood drive as a service project in direct response to the shooting of two National Guard members last month by an Afghan national. After the Nov.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The International Institute of St. Louis teamed up with the U.S. Afghan Chamber of Commerce and the Red Cross on Friday to help collect blood amid a nationwide shortage. After the deadly attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C. last month, organizers started looking for a way to give back locally. They said they also wanted to send a strong message of support for the Afghan-American community. “We bleed the same. There is no differ

International Mentoring St. Louis merges into World Trade Center St. Louis. The nonprofit matched 790 mentors with foreign-born women from 85 countries. International Mentoring St. Louis transfers $268,900 fund balance by year-end. A nonprofit group is merging into the World Trade Center St. Louis to become part of its Mosaic Project , which informs the community about the impact that a foreign-born population can make for the region’s overall growth. International Mentoring

By St. Louis Business Journal Executive Connections is the St. Louis Business Journal's year-long program to connect newly appointed top business leaders with their peers and to the St. Louis community. Story Highlights What’s This? St. Louis Business Journal hosts quarterly Executive Network dinners for leaders. Ron Kitchens became Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO on Nov. 1. Blake Hamilton leads International Institute serving refugees and immigrants. Each quarter, the St. Louis B

Strategic union creates synergies to support global talent, strengthen international growth Two of St. Louis’ leading organizations dedicated to attracting and retaining international professionals to the region and enhancing its global reputation and footprint announced today that they are joining forces to better support global talent and strengthen international growth.  The World Trade Center St. Louis (WTC) board of directors has formally approved bringing International

The St. Louis region is home to a powerful yet often overlooked asset: international talent ready to drive innovation, productivity, and growth. Hear from the St. Louis Mosaic Project and a local manufacturer about the positive impact international hires have had on their operations and culture. You’ll gain practical insights, resources, and a clear roadmap to tap into this high-potential talent pipeline. Watch Video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fnk9Du3sr4

Gurung Bazaar From Exile to Empowerment – A Refugee Entrepreneur’s Story of Rebuilding and Belonging Rooted in Resilience In a modest storefront on South Grand—lined with sacks of rice, bright spices, and snacks from faraway homelands—you’ll find more than groceries. You’ll find a story of quiet strength, family devotion, and a dream reborn through resilience. Rajiv Gurung’s journey began in Bhutan, but unfolded across borders and decades. Displaced as a child, he spent 16 ye

This month’s Mosaic Story features Veneta Rizvic and Kathy Bernard Veneta Rizvic, who leads the St. Louis Business Journal’s awards publications and special sections, shares her powerful journey from Bosnia to St. Louis. She arrived at a young age after her father was tragically shot in the head during the war. Veneta reflects on how she and her family rebuilt their lives in St. Louis, turning it into a true home. She highlights the opportunities the city has provided for her

ST. LOUIS – Sunday night served as an early Thanksgiving celebration for immigrants and their families who now call St. Louis home. Families gathered to fill their plates with traditional Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings. The event, hosted by the International Institute of St. Louis, started with the ceremonial turkey carving, followed by music and games for the kids. Blake Hamilton, CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, said the meal is especially signifi

By STL Made Run by the Premachandra family, Dances of India, one of the oldest classical Indian dance companies in the U.S., combines movement and storytelling to wow St. Louis audiences. Nearly all her life, as far back as she can remember, Nartana Premachandra has been dancing — learning and sharing the tradition of classical Indian dance that has been passed down from her parents and their ancestors — an art form that dates back some 2,000 years.  “It was created at a time

Here is the first ever socio-economic profile of the Asian-Pacific Islander Community in Metropolitan St. Louis

34th Annual Film Festival highlights global experience, magnifies Black voices By St. Louis American The 34th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) returns November 6–16 with screenings across the region and an extremely relevant theme: “Film Without Borders.” “At a time when division often dominates the global conversation, this year’s theme reminds us that storytelling is a universal language,” said Bree Maniscalco, executive director of Cinema St. L

By 5 On Your Side The proud Nicaraguan is surrounded by a strong force. That's why she's in front of a microphone to spread her message. ST CHARLES, Mo. — Rallying and raising awareness, Yery Castillo has always used her voice. She's stepped in front of rallies before, speaking up and fighting for better pay at Amazon facilities in the St. Louis region.  In an interview conducted in Spanish, Castillo sat down with 5 On Your Side's Justina Coronel, who translated the answers

McALLEN, Texas ( Border Report ) — A new citizenship test rolled out by the Trump administration is being criticized as too difficult and could deter people from becoming U.S. citizens. The migrant advocacy nonprofit group National Partnership for New Americans says the new test is longer and has multiple answers, rather than one-word answers that are more complex and subjective regarding American history. US citizenship test to get a Trump-era update: What to know “This new

By Wash U Student Life News Amid attacks on student visas and increased ICE arrests in Missouri, junior Jaqueline Marquez Salgado founded Response in Action: Students for Immigrant Justice (RAISE), a new student-led organization at WashU “dedicated to uplifting immigrant voices,” according to its Instagram bio. Marquez Salgado, the acting president of RAISE, said she was motivated to start an immigration justice club this semester after reading headlines about ICE arrest