This month’s Mosaic Story features Randy Vines, co-creator of STL Style and one of the identical twins behind the iconic St. Louis brand, as well as Gabriela Cornelius, founder of Mexicanos en St. Louis – Alma de México, also works as a coordinator at the Federal Reserve Bank. Gabriela arrived in St. Louis in the 1980s and shares her perspective on the challenges she faced during that time, despite being familiar with the United States. She reflects on how difficult the proce

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

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

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

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

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

This month’s Mosaic Story features Hamdullah Hamdard and Wendi Newell. Hamdullah, originally from Afghanistan, is the Afghan Support Director at the International Institute and founder of Owlsion Pictures, a media company focused on uplifting underrepresented voices. He shares why he chose St. Louis as home and how he helps other Afghan families do the same. This video was filmed at the Festival of Nations, where Hamdullah and Wendi—both dedicated to welcoming newcomers—met f

BY KSDK The AACCSTL commissioned a report that shows supporting diverse businesses is good business for the region. ST. LOUIS — Several regional chambers of commerce are coming together this week to take a closer look at the economic outlook, and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis will be one of the chambers sharing a recent report in a panel discussion. The Greater St. Louis, Inc.'s   Multi-Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast , happening November 6, will brin

By KSDK "My goal from the beginning of the campaign was to be the first and not the last," Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez said. ST. LOUIS — As she enters the Board of Aldermen's office, she's the first Latina to open these doors.  She's paving the way for future leaders.  This is St. Louis Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez of the 6th Ward.  "I'm the first Latina ever elected to serve in the city of St. Louis," said Velázquez. "My goal from the beginning of the campaign was to be the

ST. LOUIS – Nolan Ruiz, St. Louis’ largest McDonald’s franchisee, celebrated his 10-year business anniversary by surprising his employees with $200,000 in development incentives at a Valley Park McDonald’s. The celebration, which coincided with National Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighted Ruiz’s journey from wiping tables at age 14 to owning 33 restaurants, employing over 1,500 people, and generating nearly $120 million in sales. Watch video here.

This month's story features Anna Crosslin, Former President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, who was born in Japan. She was interviewed by Kellea Woods, a U.S. transplant to St. Louis who works at the St. Louis Economic Partnership.   From being raised as the child of Japanese immigrants after World War II to making St. Louis her home, Anna reflects on her journey and what community means to her. Watch Video here.

Reported by The STL Standing on the field at Energizer Park at halftime, looking out at the crowd filling the stands, Jorge Flores...

Coming September 2025: Mosaic Stories – a monthly video series celebrating the diverse voices that make St. Louis home. Each month, we’ll share powerful stories from immigrants and native-born residents alike, highlighting connection, culture, and the shared humanity that unites us all. This Month’s Story: Meet Annie Mbale, who moved from Malawi to St. Louis in 2011 and now serves as Program Manager for the Mosaic Project at the World Trade Center. Annie sat down with Suzanne

From media to banking to law, leaders are championing diverse successes. Reported by Erik Siemers – Editor, St. Louis Business Journal...

Reported by Niara Savage St. Louis Business Journal Story Highlights Michelle Li co-founded Very Asian Foundation to spotlight Asian...

Reported by Ian Froeb | Post-Dispatch The brick-and-mortar location of Fufu n’ Sauce, which opened in June in Vinita Park, continues what...