ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – The 2016 St. Louis Award was presented Thursday to Anna Crosslin “for her longtime leadership of the International Institute of St. Louis and her devotion to advocating for immigrants in our region,” according to St. Louis Award committee president David W. Kemper of Commerce Bancshares.
Mayor Francis Slay thanked Crosslin for her work helping immigrants get settled here and making them feel welcome.
“It is especially important at this time when our national rhetoric can be intimidating, worrisome and even threatening to our new residents. Believe me, it is,” Slay continued. “Anna, our city is very grateful to you and the International Institute for your tremendous contributions to our community. We are stronger and more united because of you.”
County Executive Steve Stenger credited Crosslin with boosting foreign-born growth in our region and stressing justice, charity, mercy, diversity and inclusion.
“It’s gratifying to receive such accolades, although it’s also a bit embarrassing,” Crosslin said upon accepting the award from Kemper. “My Japanese heritage demands modesty and values group work.”
(Photo by Debbie Monterrey)
Crosslin, who was also instrumental in establishing the Mosaic Project, said growing our immigrant population is vital to the growth of our region.
In 1850, according to Crosslin, St. Louis was the 8th largest city in the nation with 50% of the population foreign born. In 1900 our population peaked and then began to decline. In 2016, only 4.6% of St. Louis’ population is foreign born when the national average is 14%.
Over the past year, according to the Census Bureau, St. Louis grew its foreign born population faster than any other top 20 city.
Anna Crosslin says it’s about growing our population and our workforce.
“Millennials are 40% non-white at this point. If we want to attract and keep millennials in St. Louis, our next generation of workers, then we need to promote a community that looks like them. That’s the bottom line.”
The St. Louis Award has been given out since 1931 to honor “the resident of metropolitan St. Louis who has contributed the most outstanding service for development or…shall have performed such services as to bring greatest honor to the community.”
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