LOCAL AFGHAN ENTREPRENEUR TO RECEIVE $15,000 GRANT FROM AFGHAN SUPPORT PROGRAM OF INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ST. LOUIS
March 31, 2023 — Second Round Afghan Entrepreneur Grant Recipient Hamdullah Hamdard, pitching his company Chamma Media.

Photos available for download via OneDrive: Second Round Pitch Day and First Round Recipient
1 May 2023, St. Louis, USA — The International Institute of St. Louis will award the second-round recipient of Afghan Entrepreneur Grant through the Afghan Support Program this Friday, May 5 at 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT at CIC St. Louis (4240 Duncan Ave, St. Louis, 63110; Havana Room). Media are invited to interview the winning recipient, as well as Afghan Support Program stakeholders. 
 
The Afghan Community Entrepreneurship Grant is designed to assist refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan to start, strengthen and expand their businesses. This $15,000 grant will financially support newly arrived Afghan entrepreneurs to contribute to the local economy, develop businesses and create employment for new refugees, immigrants and the community at large.
The second round of applicants participated in a pitch day on March 31, 2023. Ultimately, the judges have awarded Hamdullah Hamdard, who has proposed to establish Chamma Media, a digital media company that offers professional photography, videography, documentaries, screenwriting, and editing services in St. Louis. Hamdard will receive the award in a ceremony this Friday, May 5.
 
Hamdullah Hamdard was born and raised in Afghanistan and currently resides in St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Afghanistan and worked for more than 12 years in a range of media, communications and marketing positions. In Afghanistan, he trained more than 50 children and youth in photography, videography, and storytelling through community outreach programs and has received awards for pictures and short films from UNESCO, Nancy Hatch Dupree Foundation, and other UN and local agencies.
Afghan Entrepreneur Grant Finalists with President and CEO of International Institute from left to right: Mustafa Ahmadi, Arrey Obenson of the International Insitute, Khwaja Samir Sediqi and Hamdullah Hamdard (not pictured Pouya Zabihullah)
“A grant to establish or expand a small business can make a real change in the life of a refugee. We know that immigrants and refugees are drawn to entrepreneurship and that they are even more likely to provide opportunities for employment to other local immigrants and refugees,” said International Institute President & CEO, Arrey Obenson. “We are honored to support the success of refugees who call St. Louis their home. This is one step on their journey toward prosperity.”
 
The other finalists for the second-round of grant funding were:
  • Mustafa Ahmadi was hoping to re-establish his wood carving business, Golden Wood Production, to promote Afghan art in St. Louis.
  • Khwaja Samir Sediqi aimed to re-establish Golden Leaf, a jewelry business, here in the St. Louis after originally operating in Afghanistan.
  • Pouya Zabihullah proposed expanding from his home office to a rented studio space for WedVioPhotography Studio, which offers photography and videography services.
In October 2022, Raza Hassani became the first recipient of the Afghan Support Program’s Afghan Entrepreneurship grant. Raza Auto Sales & Repair was first established his business in the fall of 2021 with the support of the International Institute’ community Development Corporation and after winning this $15,000 small business grant, he utilized installed a car lift in his auto shop to increase business opportunities.
 
“It’s exciting to see this recent Afghan refugee arrival who was selected to receive a $15,000 grant expand his business as part of the Afghan Support Program,” said Jerry Schlichter, developer of the Afghan Support Program. “We’ve heard from people around the country that there is nothing like this anywhere else. We hope these entrepreneurs build successful businesses and spread the word to Afghan refugees across the country that this program, this opportunity, shows that they too can build their lives in St. Louis.”
In 2022, Raza Hassani received the first $15,000 Afghan Entrepreneur Grant to expand his business, Raza Auto Sales & Repair.
Media are Invited to Attend the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant Award Ceremony

 
About IISTL: The International Institute of St. Louis provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming, prosperous and healthy region for every individual in our community. These opportunities span all facets of life, family, health, community, career, culture, and much more. We know that when our neighbors thrive, our region thrives and when our region prospers, we have even more chances to prosper. Visit us at www.iistl.org.
 
About the Afghan Support Program: Since August 2021, the International Institute has welcomed nearly 1,000 Afghans to St. Louis and in January 2022, the Afghan Support Program was created in response to growing population of Afghan refugees in the St. Louis region. It is led by attorney and Arch Grants Founder Jerry Schlichter, the International Institute of St. Louis, local business and religious leaders. Through the Afghan Support Program, funds have supported immediate housing needs, 200 tablets have been distributed to newly arriving Afghans, six individuals have gone through the coding classes in partnership with CLAIM Academy with four scholarships remaining, and the fees for soccer field rentals were covered for a youth soccer program. Earlier this year, an Afghan Community Center and Chamber of Commerce were launched.
 
IISTL Media Contact:
Krissy Durant, Director of Communications
O: 314-655-0861
M: 314-808-4282
 
Afghan Support Program Manager:
Moji Sidiqi
314-655-0886