Americana Community Center has served Louisville’s refugee and immigrant communities for over 30 years. Last month, the nonprofit hired Ricky Santiago to be its new executive director.

Santiago talks with LPM about the financial challenges Americana has weathered, his hopes for future sustainability, and the resurgence he believes the organization is making.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Michelle Tyrene Johnson: What does it mean for you to be in charge of Americana?

Ricky Santiago: Americana is such an iconic institution. It's an honor to serve. I consider the founder, Edgardo Mansilla, a mentor and a friend. So being able to just follow in that professional footstep as a Latino leader in the city is an honor. There's a lot of work to be done. I tell the st

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