An estimated 75,000 people attended the recent 11th annual Missouri Black Expo, an event that promotes economic self-sufficiency opportunities for African Americans and local minority businesses.

The St. Louis Field Office staff provided information on HUD's economic development programs and about purchasing FHA foreclosed properties to those who visited the HUD booth, which was manned by FO employees Roy Pierce, Fannie Woods, Dennis Martin, James Heard, Carolyn Watson, Rich Herbst, Sue Jeffries, and Geraldine Jones.

Left to Right: Kathy Davis, broad listing broker for First Preston; Sue Jeffries and Carolyn Watson, HUD public housing financial specialists.	Some of the estimated 75,000 individuals who attended the Missouri Black Expo in St. Louis in August.

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Some 300 St. Louis-area residents, many of whom came from other countries, learned first-hand about homeownership and business opportunities recently at Bridges to the American Dream: A Financial Resource Fair, co-sponsored by the International Institute of St. Louis and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Dozens of area profit, non-profit and public sector organizations participated in the August event, including staff from HUD's St. Louis Field Office.

The International Institute, which became part of the St. Louis community in 1919, provides adjustment services to new citizens in St. Louis. The Institute's goal is to build healthier communities by helping newcomers become productive and successful citizens. Since its beginnings, the Institute has helped immigrants settle in the St. Louis area, and in 2001 it delivered helped more than 10,000 immigrants and refugees from 40 countries.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce represents the Hispanic business sectors of the St. Louis region, including industry and commerce. An estimated 200,000 Latinos reside in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Participants at the Finance Resource Fair.	Gilberto Pinela, (left) executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Rafael Nun Marin, president.
Participants listen intensely to program announcements.