St. Louis joins a network of more than 75 communities that have participated in the initiative since it launched in 2016. The City of St. Louis has been selected to be part of the Gateways for Growth (G4G) [ gatewaysforgrowth.org ] program through the American Immigration Council [ www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org ] and Welcoming America [ welcomingamerica.org ], two national nonprofits working to support immigrant inclusion in communities across the country. As part

A keynote conversation with Dr. Ness Sandoval to explore labor trends, talent pipelines, and employer collaboration ST. LOUIS, MO — The International Institute of St. Louis, Move2STL, and SLATE Missouri Job Center will host Regional Workforce Partnerships: Building a Stronger St. Louis on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at 18Rails at City Foundry STL (3730 Foundry Way, Suite 110, St. Louis, MO 63110). The event will bring together employers, workforce lead

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

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 STLToday Linda Ogbah Faas remembers the tiny replica of the Gateway Arch her folks kept in their Nigerian home when she was a child. It was both a reminder of their time at Bible college in Missouri — and a message to their daughter of the better future she could have in America. “I had all these dreams, having never been to St. Louis,” Faas said. Now, about two decades later, Faas is leading the effort to shine a spotlight on local African-owned businesses here, as presid

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

St. Louis Public Radio | Published Dec. 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. CST A financial institution for African immigrants and African Americans opened Monday in St. Ann to help Black St. Louisans and African communities build wealth, strengthen their families and create opportunities. The African Diaspora Federal Credit Union was established by the African Diaspora Council Inc., a local cultural organization. The credit union will allow its members to pool their resources and persona

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 St. Louis American Maxine Clark and Bob Fox were recognized as Champions in Education at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2025 at America’s Center, Downtown St. Louis. Watch full video here Video by James LeBine and Raven Whitener More news from the St. Louis American Foundation https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/a-powerful-force/ https://www.stlamerican.com/gall

By STL MADE Mona Jawad and Ayesha Kazi founded ASL Aspire to bring a game-based approach to teaching American Sign Language for STEM concepts through interactive lessons. When Mona Jawad and Ayesha Kazi began researching the challenges facing Deaf students in STEM fields in 2020, they came across a startling realization: Just four publicly accessible American Sign Language (ASL) signs existed for the 118 elements of the periodic table. In many ways, this was shocking to them;

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

Hundreds of business leaders gathered this week for the 2025 Multi-Chamber Economic Outlook Breakfast. Representing 21 chambers of commerce from around the bi-state region, this year’s event offered participants a look at the regional and national economy while offering a space for networking and connection. The breakfast also served as the first public speaking opportunity for GSL’s new CEO, Ron Kitchens, who stressed the critical role local chambers of commerce play in our