A Letter to My Hometown
Dear San Leandro,
Growing up in this city, I was shaped by its neighborhoods, its schools, and the people who make it a community. It was here, amidst the familiar streets and the stories of resilience, that I first dreamed of what a city could become. San Leandro taught me the value of community, the power of ambition, and the importance of investing in the future.
Today, I write to you not just as a proud son of San Leandro, but as the CEO of PilotCity, driven by a vision that extends beyond our city’s borders. This letter is both a thank-you and a call to action—a manifesto for our shared potential and the role we can play in redefining what’s possible for every American city.
San Leandro, like so many towns and cities across the country, holds untapped potential. With its diverse communities, innovative spirit, and rich history, it is the perfect example of how a city can transform into an engine of innovation. But this transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a bold vision, intentional action, and a belief in building from within.
The mission of PilotCity is simple yet ambitious: to turn every American city into an engine of innovation. This begins with the people who live there—students, teachers, families, and local leaders. By starting with education, we can unlock the talent and creativity that already exists within our communities. Schools are not just places of learning; they are hubs of opportunity, where the leaders of tomorrow can solve the challenges of today.
We’ve seen what happens when students are empowered to work on real-world problems. In classrooms across the country, young people are designing renewable energy solutions, creating tools for public health, and tackling workforce challenges. These projects aren’t just academic exercises; they are the seeds of transformation. They prove that when we invest in our youngest citizens, we invest in the future of our cities.
Technology is our enabler. At PilotCity, we’ve developed tools like the AI Program Management System (AI-PMS) to streamline this process. These tools make it possible for teachers to guide students through complex projects, for businesses to partner with schools, and for cities to measure the impact of these collaborations. Technology ensures that this work is scalable, sustainable, and accessible to all—from small towns to bustling metropolises.
But what truly makes this mission possible is collaboration. No city—not even one as vibrant as San Leandro—can do it alone. We need partnerships between schools, businesses, government, and residents. When everyone has a stake in the outcome, the results are extraordinary. Communities become stronger, economies grow, and the sense of pride in one’s hometown deepens.
San Leandro, you are my inspiration. Your journey from a quiet suburb to a city exploring the possibilities of innovation sparked this mission. But this mission is bigger than any one city. Imagine a future where every town and city in America becomes a hub of creativity and progress. Where students lead the way in solving local challenges, and where innovation isn’t concentrated in a few places but spread across the entire nation.
To my neighbors, friends, and everyone who calls San Leandro home: join me in this journey. Let’s show the rest of the country what’s possible when a community comes together to invest in its future. Together, we can inspire every American city to realize its potential—and in doing so, create a brighter, more inclusive future for us all.
With gratitude and determination,
Derick Lee
CEO, PilotCity