As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, data on immigration to the St. Louis region highlights the thriving business community and entrepreneurship among Hispanic individuals
It is Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, and it looks like St. Louis is within the thick of it all. I am also excited about this month long observance, because I know some remarkable accomplished local Hispanics.
The business incubator powerhouse Cortex Common has several events planned, and the complex is a hot bed for Hispanic’s start-ups and minority entrepreneurship.
A little history found on Wikipedia:
National Hispanic Heritage Week was established by legislation sponsored by Rep. George Brown Jr. of Los Angeles and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, taking place on the week including both September 15 and 16. In 1988, the commemorative week was expanded to a month (September 15 to October 15) by legislation sponsored by Rep. Esteban Torres (D–CA), amended by Senator Paul Simon, and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (early morning, 16 September 1810), which marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence and thus resulted (in 1821) in independence for the New Spain Colony (now Mexico and the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua) which became the Federal Republic of Central America.
The 30-day period also includes many dates of importance in the Hispanic community: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their anniversary of independence on September 15; Mexico commemorates its independence on September 16; Chile commemorates its independence on September 18; and the celebration Columbus Day or Día de la Raza.
Hispanic Heritage Week was first proclaimed by President Johnson in 1968 in Presidential Proclamation 3869. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan gave annual proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Week between 1969 and 1988. National Hispanic Heritage Month was first proclaimed by President George H. W. Bush on September 14, 1989, in Presidential Proclamation 6021. Since 1989, all Presidents have given a Presidential Proclamation to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.
I also got the opportunity to catch a few news story in regards to the occasion, and the one that caught my immediate attention was found on KMOV News 4.
Let’s take a look:
Hispanic business leaders encouraged by data on immigration to St. Louis region
This headline is just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, and it shows some positive changes in a decline in our area.
Here is more as reported by Nathan Vickers:
The St. Louis region saw record numbers of immigration to the area over the past year, according to new census data.
The region attracted more than 30,000 foreign residents from 2022-2023, an increase of more than 23 percent. The increase was the highest in the country among the nation’s 30 largest metropolitan areas.
St. Louis also ranked 4th among those areas for growth in Latino/Hispanic population increases.
Ness Sandoval, a professor at Saint Louis University who studies demographic trends and immigration, noted that the report marks the highest number of immigrants in the region’s history.
Although the region continues to face a demographic challenge with more deaths than births, these types of demographic shifts could ultimately help the area grow in new and important ways. It’s important to remember that this is just one year of data.
But, Sandoval cautioned, the overall population of the region is still decreasing, with more deaths than births. While increasing immigrant populations could help make up for those losses, he said the region would need to continue its efforts to attract more foreign-born residents.
“We need to grow. If we’re going to be a top 25 metro region we need more people,” he said. “There are more people who are going to die in the next decade, so we need even more people to come here and start families.”
Sandoval recommended additional marketing of the city to areas of the country with a high number of Hispanic and Latino immigrants, such as Miami. He said that perceptions of crime nationally often hurt those efforts.
Video from PBS Newshour
Let’s the party continue with these exciting event announcement at Cortex:
This was taken from a good associate Ben Molina of Cortex:
I am feeling energized from hashtag#stlstartupweek and eager to continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! This is a significant time for me and millions of others who share the same cultural background as we honor our heritage, accomplishments, and contributions to society.
Hispanic Americans have played a vital role in the U.S. by bringing unique perspectives, talents, and skills that have helped shape the nation we live in today. From art, music, and literature to the workforce, economy, and politics, Hispanic Americans have made significant contributions to various sectors of society.
Through the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, I am excited to highlight the remarkable influence of the Hispanic community in the United States. I also invite you to join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by participating in exciting events taking place all over St. Louis.
Events this week:
September 28: Embracing Community: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Cortex (https://lnkd.in/grcZ9eHb)
September 29: Hispanic Leaders Group Anniversary Gala & Esperanza Awards (https://lnkd.in/gDzChbY8)
October 1: 8th Annual Brazilian Folk Fest (https://lnkd.in/g7tiY8B2)
Stay up to date on Hispanic Heritage Events on the Auténtico Podcast website at https://lnkd.in/g57fmj-q
hashtag#HispanicHeritageMonth hashtag#STLChangeMakers hashtag#YoungHispanicProfessionals
Courtesy of Linkedin
Coming up this week we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Venture Café St. Louis! Discover, learn, and celebrate the Hispanic Community of St. Louis with our Cultural Societies, Locally Owned Vendors, and Movers & Shakers across the region. Join the festivities and engage as we come together for an enriching evening of cultural appreciation and unity. Be part of this memorable experience – your presence matters.
– 4:00 to 7:00 PM “Hispanic Cultural Societies & Vendor Expo” including Ecuadorian Society of St. Louis, BOLIVIAN SOCIETY OF ST LOUIS, Columbian Society of St. Louis, AVMO – Venezuelan Association in Missouri, Puerto Rican Society Inc. , De Mi Madre Aprendi, JuntosAdelante.com, Atomy Self-Care With Eileen, Tania Interian, Bellissimo Photography Studio, Otero Prada LLC, Arte Rojo Stl, Azteca Insurance LLC, AJ Legal Services LLC, STLjuntos, Capulí Cakery LLC, Align With Anna, Restyled by Izzy, STUDIO AGC SALON & BROWS BY MEL
– 4:15 to 5:15 PM “Shaping Food and Culture: From Latin America to St. Louis Panel” with Tamara Landeiro, Owner of Havana’s Cuisine, Aaron Martinez, Take Root Hospitality Partner and Culinary Director, Lemya Sidki, President at Yemanja Brasil, and Moderated by Jacqueline Duty, Publisher of Collinsville Daily News
– 5:30 to 6:30 PM “St. Louis Soccer and the STL Santos Entrepreneurial Journey Building Community” with Super Santos, Isabel Diaz, Vice-President of STLSantos, Santiago Beltrán, Spanish Speaking Broadcaster for St. Louis CITY SC, Melba Benavides, Finance Co-Chair and Capo, STL Santos
– 6:45 to 7:00 PM Closing Performance with Mauricio Villanueva Espinosa
– Live DJ with Greg Horta of Big Papa G
The event is presented in partnership with Venture Café St. Louis, TechSTL, Cortex Innovation District, CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro St. Louis, and BioSTL
Cortex Common Business Park Address: 4270 Duncan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
#HispanicBusiness #Immigration #StLouis #CortexCommon #Entrepreneurship
Get out and share in the excitement of Hspanic Heritage Month, and let’s welcome them all as one.Argus.
