We are many people, but we are ONE San Antonio

The identity of a city, much like the identity of a person or a family, forms the core of what it stands for. It tells us what it loves, what it values, and what it means to belong. Just as individuals shape their sense of self from lived experiences and internal truths, cities reflect the collective essence of their people. Identity is not imposed from external labels or fleeting trends but discovered through the core values and experiences that unite us.

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San Antonio is a city deeply rooted in relationships. It is known as a “big city with a small-town feel”, a unique characteristic that makes it stand apart even as it grows. With a population of 1.4 million people, now the 7th largest city in the country and the second largest in Texas, San Antonio is a testament to the idea that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of intimacy and community.

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What does it mean to be part of San Antonio? It means that in this consistently growing and diverse metropolis, there is still a shared commitment to connection, to understanding, to love and empathy of other. It means that we get to inspire 1.4 million lives, to bring together 1.4 million voices in a collective effort to define who we are. The identity of our city isn’t bound by the divisions of politics, race, or sexual orientation. Instead, it is forged through our mutual respect, especially for our first responders, our city leaders and the level 4 hospitals and staff that tirelessly work. It is through a deep sense of shared community that transcends any labels.

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San Antonio’s identity matters because it is our foundation, the lens through which we view challenges and opportunities alike. In times of hardship, we look to our collective values for guidance. In moments of triumph, we celebrate the things that define us: resilience, unity, and grit to overcome and emerge even better.

We are many diverse people, yet we are one San Antonio. And it is through this identity that we remember who we truly are, not through the labels others place on us but through the truth we know within ourselves.

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San Antonio is more than just the 7th largest city in the United States; it is a city rich in history, culture, and community. It stands as a testament to the generations that have fought, built, and persevered, shaping it into the majestic and diverse city it is today. From the early settlers of the Canary Islands to the profound influences of Spanish, German, Mexican, and Indigenous cultures, San Antonio is big on remembering the collective efforts that have brought us to this moment.

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As we prepare the next generation of leaders, we must pass down the values that have anchored our success: community, resilience, and respect.

What if we created identity curriculum in our schools about what this could look like from the earliest of ages?

What if our workplaces reminded us of what this could look like in activating to help others around us?

What if this were a constant reminder when we hear the voice of those longing to lead us from a living example?

Let us never forget who we are, why we are here, and how the unity of our past can guide us into the future. San Antonio’s strength lies not in its size, but in its spirit—a spirit that remembers, honors, and continues to build on what has been achieved. Together, we will step into the next chapter of our lives, knowing that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, ready to lead with the same passion and purpose.