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Brian Barlay, who previously worked with IISTL as its Lead Advocate for the Welcome Corps program, understands the frustration and hopelessness families like the Mastkalos and the Manoos experience when trying to reunite with their loved ones. As someone who has spent a significant amount of his professional life working with refugees, he’s experienced firsthand how difficult it can be for people to begin their new lives in the U.S., thanks to a sometimes complicated bureaucracy and slow-moving processes. Barlay is hopeful that not only will the Welcome Corps program help make the journey a little easier for refugees and their families, but that it will give American citizens a window into what refugees experience as well.

This class of young professionals from 25 states will participate in series of sessions with USGLC leaders and special guests to immerse themselves in global policy issues while strengthening advocacy and engagement skills. Throughout the year, they will interact with policymakers and opinion leaders, have opportunities to share and publish their own stories and perspectives, and will ultimately become members of USGLC’s State Advisory Committees at the end of the program.

The 15 inductees are as diverse in backgrounds as they are in professional aspirations, working in a range of fields that include finance, construction, technology, aerospace, investment, grant making, family services and wealth management, to name a few (see list below). Cohort members are chosen annually from among the 4,000 YPN members based on leadership and community service. During the ensuing year, the leaders will be provided professional, cultural, and community service opportunities that offer unique experiences and engagement in St. Louis

Brian Barlay is an acculturation coach, and through his business he plans to help young newcomers to the St. Louis region create a balance learning to assimilate to survive, but not losing their identity.

Brian Barlay, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, runs a consulting business with an emphasis on helping immigrants acclimate to the St. Louis area and American culture. He wants more to come here, reasoning that they're “driven and entrepreneurial.

If we create a positive ecosystem for immigrants by supporting institutions and stakeholders that are already doing the work, then St. Louis will truly see those efforts to be sustained changes, writes Brian Barlay, co-founder of Missouri Young African Professionals.

AD-STL will also focus on improvement of businesses and organizations, and individuals that are leading the effort to provide transformational and unconventional changes while promoting the wellbeing of the African agenda, according to Barlay.

Brian Barlay is already a familiar face at Webster University’s Webster Groves campus. As a graduate student pursuing a master’s in Management and Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development, he’s also a graduate assistant in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) executive team; and works with programming for both the Suggs Scholars and Student Ambassadors programs.

Brian Barlay is a young entrepreneur on a mission to make St. Louis a more inclusive place for young immigrants. Born in Sierra Leone, he moved with his mother to Jefferson City, Mo., as a teenager. After high school, Barlay was attracted to St. Louis for the opportunity to be around other young immigrants. He enrolled at St. Louis Community College at Meramec because of its renowned theater program. “I decided on STLCC because I wanted to pursue my dream of acting. However, once I got there, what I learned at STLCC changed my perspective on what I wanted to do in life...

We are delighted to announce our Spring 2022 BALSA Grant Finalists! These thirteen first-time entrepreneurs will each receive a $1000 cash grant, in-kind donations of professional services, and ongoing mentorship to help start and grow their business: