Friends,

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to write from a real place, not a polished script, but a moment of honest gratitude.

To Our Volunteers + Advisory Leaders

I’m grateful for the 250+ volunteers who have mentored our youth, given tough-but-needed advice, and advocated for us in and out of boardrooms.

I’m grateful for our 23 new advisory board members who raised their hands to do the real work; late calls, strategy sessions, sleeves rolled up, no ego. CEOs, VPs, founders… all showing up like it’s day one.

To Our Board Directors (Past + Present)

Thank you to every Board Director who has guided us, challenged us, and stayed involved in meaningful ways even after their assignment ended. Many of you continue to show up in bigger ways than anyone could ask; advocating for us, opening doors, offering hard truths, and standing with me through every season of this work.

Your leadership isn’t just appreciated; it’s part of our backbone. You’ve helped steady this organization, stretch our vision, and remind me that this mission is bigger than any one moment or obstacle.

To Our Interns + Youth

Over the past 5 years, we have grown internship programs that expand our vision of entrepreneurship.
Because the truth is: not everyone needs to (or should!) start a company.

We’re building teams, skills, and career paths across ops, marketing, design, finance, and tech; creating value everywhere.

And this year, our very first Youthpreneur officially entered the workforce. Full circle.

If there’s one lesson I want them to hold onto, it’s this:
Those who create value will always be valuable.
(And hopefully well-paid if money is your love language.)

This Year Was Hard - And You Showed Up Anyway

Nonprofits doing work that even whispers “culture,” “Black,” “Brown,” or “immigrant” have had a tough financial year. Doors were harder to open. The climate was loud.

And still, our tribe pulled up stronger.
You are standing against bigotry and are standing for something good.
We often say “the world needs more good,” but honestly, we need to do more good. Like our ‘It’s Giving___’ campaign says, “If we don’t, who will?” And you showed me what that looks like in action.

Thank You for Reading This (Truly)

I told myself this list didn’t need another email. I didn’t want to annoy people. Twenty-one unsubscribes later, here I am, grateful anyway.

Grateful that I asked.
Grateful that I shared my voice.
Grateful that you are reading this.

This season, I’m committing to posting more, writing more, calling more, texting more. Our mission deserves it. Our youth deserve it. And truthfully, so do I.

Thank You for Five Years

To everyone who has shown up in any capacity:
You’ve helped build something deeper than a program.

You’ve helped build a family, one that celebrates wins, learns from setbacks, and keeps going even when the days get heavy.

Thank you for believing in this work and for helping us build a future where young entrepreneurs and young people who bring value in any field can grow, create, and lead.

We’re just getting started.
And I’m grateful we get to build this together.

Text me if you have an idea that will make our community grow: (862)576-9783

With love and gratitude,
Daniel P. Calderon
President, Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Inc. 501(c)(3)