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Immigrant's journey in St. Louis: Yery Castillo fights for a better life and unity
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
Nov 7, 2025


Mosaic Stories: Hamdullah Hamdard and Wendi Newell
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
Nov 5, 2025


Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis highlights $6.5 billion impact ahead of regional economic summit
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
Nov 5, 2025


New US citizenship test proving difficult for immigrants
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
Oct 23, 2025


‘A little less alone in the process’: Immigrant and Refugee Ministry’s accompaniment program offers practical, spiritual support
By St. Louis Review An accompaniment program through the Immigrant and Refugee Ministry is helping newcomers to the U.S. know they’re not alone. The Immigrant and Refugee Ministry — a collaborative effort of St. Anthony of Padua, St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Pius V, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Stephen Protomartyr and Holy Redeemer parishes — launched an accompaniment program in January to support immigrants and refugees as they meet with Immigration and Customs Enf
Oct 23, 2025


St. Louis restaurants to visit for Diwali
By St. Louis Magazine To celebrate the festivities during the coming week, we offer a few noteworthy Indian restaurants across the metro area. Diwali (or Deepavali, as it’s also called), the grand Hindu festival of lights, begins this weekend, with the main Diwali night, Lakshmi Puja, falling on Monday. The festival, which signifies the triumph of light over darkness, is also commemorated across other major Indic religions, such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. To celebrat
Oct 20, 2025


‘Uplifting immigrant voices’: WashU students found new immigrant justice club
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
Oct 18, 2025


Daniela Velázquez: Trailblazing as St. Louis' first Latina elected official
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
Oct 17, 2025


Winning STL: Mosaic Project wants immigrants to consider St. Louis their new hometown
By St. Louis Post Dispatch Suzanne Sierra, executive director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, explains why it's important to help immigrants make professional and social connections, and put down roots, here. Watch video here.
Oct 14, 2025


STL’s largest Hispanic-owned business celebrates owner
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.
Oct 14, 2025


Mosaic Stories: Anna Crosslin & Kellea Woods
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.
Oct 13, 2025


Immigrants share personal experiences of fear, faith with Archbishop Rozanski
By Archdiocesan News The archbishop met with about 20 people to listen to their stories, offer support On a recent Tuesday evening, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski met with about 20 immigrants from parishes in the archdiocese to listen to their stories of migration and their experiences in the current climate. The overwhelming theme was fear. A young man who said he was from Honduras shared that when he was 16, his family was going through hardship and poverty. His parents an
Oct 11, 2025


STL Partnership Hosts African Chamber of Commerce
Reported by STL Partnership Members of African Chamber of Commerce St. Louis visited the office of St. Louis Economic Development...
Oct 2, 2025


A new Kirkwood shop helps forge a path forward for immigrant and refugee women
Reported by STL Mag When Jennifer Owens launched Forai years ago, she never dreamed that her vision to empower local refugee and...
Oct 1, 2025


With the Dream Big Foundation, Jorge Flores is making competitive soccer more accessible for kids in underserved communities across the St. Louis metro
Reported by The STL Standing on the field at Energizer Park at halftime, looking out at the crowd filling the stands, Jorge Flores...
Sep 30, 2025


World Trade Center St. Louis wants the region to have a larger economic footprint in Africa
Reported by STLPR World Trade Center St. Louis leaders have a growing interest in building more economic partnerships with Africa. Some...
Sep 26, 2025


Midwest BankCentre donates former branch to nonprofit, boosting immigrant services in St. Louis
Reported by St. Louis Business Journal Midwest BankCentre's latest property donation is transforming a former bank branch into a...
Sep 25, 2025


Fast-growing African nations becoming an increasingly important trade partner for St. Louis region
Reported by First Alert 4. CLAYTON, Mo. (First Alert 4) - In the search for global business and trade partners, regional leaders are...
Sep 24, 2025


‘Africa Rising’ showcased at Ritz-Carlton
Reported by Yahoo Finance CLAYTON, Mo. – On Wednesday, the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton transformed into an African celebration, with...
Sep 24, 2025


Trump's visa fees spell trouble for some of St. Louis' largest employers
Reported by St. Louis Business Journal President Donald Trump's abrupt action on a critical visa program for employers is sparking...
Sep 23, 2025


Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival hosted in Soulard
Reported by First Alert 4 ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4)— It’s Hispanic American Heritage Month, and in St. Louis, that means a...
Sep 21, 2025


Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Reported by STL Partnership Celebrate all month with community! Hispanic Heritage Month was kicked off on September 12 with the St. Louis...
Sep 17, 2025


St. Louis Mosaic Project observes ‘Welcoming Week,’ re-launches ‘Mosaic Stories’
Reported by Illinois Business Journal From Sept. 12-21, 2025, the St. Louis Mosaic Project (Mosaic Project), a regional initiative within...
Sep 16, 2025


RedKey Realty Leaders host inaugural ‘Elevating St. Louis’ event
Reported by Illinois Business Journal The Sept. 10, 2025 event, held at Vue 17, drew a diverse audience of professionals, policymakers,...
Sep 16, 2025
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