Foreign-Born St. LouisansMaking an Impact
St. Louis is made even better by residents of all backgrounds and cultures.
Composing the Future
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard reflects on the debut and future of the institution at its expanded and renovated home at Powell Hall at…
A World of Good
Through its skills training and support programs, Forai helps immigrant and refugee women in St. Louis build better lives — for themselves and their families.
Following in the Footsteps
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.
Put Down Roots
Michael and Tara Gallina’s Take Root Hospitality serves seasonally inspired and regionally sourced eats at three lauded spots in the St. Louis area, including Vicia.
Fielding
Opportunity
With the Dream Big Foundation, Jorge Flores is making competitive soccer more accessible for kids in underserved communities across the St. Louis metro.
Authenticity in the City
At Amaizing Arepa Bar in Downtown St. Louis, Mayra and Maria Pacheco share delicious Venezuelan cuisine, with hopes to expand across the metro.
Engineering a Better Tomorrow
At LUZCO Technologies in Maplewood, founder and CEO Lusnail Haberberger has built a successful engineering consulting firm with a focus on recruiting a diverse team.
Opening Doors
We Hear You makes spaces more accessible for people with disabilities — and with its Hero device, it’s literally opening doors across St. Louis and the U.S.
Off the Charts
Ricardo Recci Gonzalez is making St. Louis a more welcoming place by growing the Hispanic music scene — one concert and broadcast at a time.
Chain Reaction
When Rick Shang moved to St. Louis in 2014 to pursue his PhD in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, he never imagined he’d…
From Ranch to Rajma
Maaji’s Street Kitchen in St. Ann offers wholesome homestyle Northern Indian Cuisine cooked lovingly by chef, owner, and resident, Heena Chopra.
One to Watch
Angel Recci has a vision to elevate Spanish-language television, music, and live entertainment in the St. Louis area — and piece by piece, he’s making it a reality.
Seeds of Change
Founded in Argentina, agtech startup Seed Matriz is developing seed encapsulation technology so farmers can save and plant more seeds — and thanks to investment and support in…
Making Art History
Newly at the helm of the St. Louis Art Museum, Min Jung Kim brings a fresh perspective to the institution’s role in the metro.
Designed for Dialogue
Rooted in social responsibility found in Cuban-inspired posters, creative firm CARTEL uses design to drive conversations around inclusivity and urban development in St. Louis.
Mother of Invention
With Bask & Bloom Essentials, Candera Thompson has created hair-care products that empower women and help with postpartum hair health.
Exploring the Final Frontiers
At Impossible Sensing in St. Louis, Pablo Sobron leads a team of scientists and engineers in building sensors to explore and study the deep sea and deep space.
The Power of Plants
Mónica Carlsen, a Venezuelan immigrant and plant biologist with the Missouri Botanical Garden, is inspiring the next generation of budding scientists through internships and educational collaborations with local…
Tastes of Home
Shayn Prapaisilp’s parents introduced Thai food to St. Louis in 1983. Now Prapaisilp is leading the family business into a new era, bringing Thai cuisine and other international…
Nothing Little About It
From rural China to Fox Park, Lona Luo has come a long way in her journey to become one of St. Louis’ most beloved and recognized chefs.
A Conscious Cup of Joe
Inspired by the coffee they grew up drinking in their native Honduras, Patrick and Spencer Clapp are elevating the St. Louis coffee scene with Coffeestamp's ethically sourced beans.
A Global Community
As the St. Louis region recruits top international talent to its companies, Susan Gobbo is building a support system for the families that follow.
A World of Knowledge
Attorney Nalini Mahadevan is helping St. Louis corporations attract and retain top international talent for the region's growing industries.
Worldwide Pride
Julio Zegarra-Ballon’s colorful fair trade merchandise supports artisans around the globe with a living wage.
A Hearty Dish
Welcome Neighbor STL's drive-thru supper clubs are a lifeline for refugees.
Breaking Barriers
The Tran family risked everything to emigrate from Vietnam to the United States four decades ago. Forged through sacrifice and sweat equity, their restaurants are now some of the…
Beyond the Bag
Through her luxury handbag line Lux & Nyx, Lisa Hu seeks to empower women through functional, sustainable bags that marry style and substance.
Smooth Moves
Angela Zeng didn’t listen to critics who told her to start her line of superfood drinks, Karviva Beverages, elsewhere; after launching it from St. Louis four years ago,…
Spilling the Beans
Estie Cruz-Curoe’s Cuban-style black beans at del Carmen Foods are filling a delicious niche in the St. Louis food scene.
A New Leaf
From her home office in Wildwood, TeaVoila founder Souzan Gerami is revolutionizing an industry with plant-based, compostable to-go tea cups.
Flavor Full
Charlene Lopez Young and Darren Young are bringing Filipino flavors to the region with their barbecue and smoked meats business, The Fattened Caf.
Open Arms
Moji Sidiqi leads the International Institute of St. Louis’ Afghan Support Program in helping refugees adjust to their new home.
