“Built on Love and Purpose”: San Antonio Gathers at ChildSafe to Celebrate Commissioner Tommy Calvert’s 10-Year Legacy
| San Antonio, TX | June 2025
By Christopher Herring | San Antonio, TX | June 2025
In a gathering that blended civic pride with deep personal reverence, San Antonio paused to honor Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert for a decade of transformative leadership. The celebration, held at ChildSafe, was more than a milestone—it was a living illustration of his legacy in motion.
It was also fitting. The very building where guests assembled—one of the most advanced child advocacy centers in Texas—exists in Precinct 4 because of Commissioner Calvert’s leadership. In 2023, he secured $1.5 million in redevelopment funds to help bring ChildSafe’s world-class facility to San Antonio’s East Side, a community long overdue for such investment.
“There was no better place to celebrate Tommy’s 10 years,” said one attendee. “ChildSafe is exactly the kind of legacy he’s spent a decade building—safe, strategic, and centered on healing.”
🏡 From Vision to Victory
Commissioner Calvert's leadership was instrumental in preserving the future of Randolph Air Force Base, one of the region’s most critical military installations. During a time when development pressures threatened the viability of flight operations, Col. Matthew C. Isler, then-Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing, publicly credited Calvert’s leadership as "key to saving Randolph."
Commissioner Calvert's record spans far beyond symbolic moments. In his first 44 days in office, he launched Bexar County’s first satellite justice and community campus, improved access to clinics, and boosted law enforcement infrastructure—moves that directly reduced felony activity in his district.
In recognition of his expertise and community trust, Christopher Herring—the author of this article—was appointed as a Special Advisor to the Commander to help navigate the land-use crisis. "I witnessed the urgency firsthand," Herring recalls, "to protect a mission that has kept Military City USA a dependable part of San Antonio’s economy."
He fought to protect Randolph Air Force Base, secured foreign investment and job creation through international partnerships, and dramatically expanded re-entry programs and workforce development. His efforts have touched nearly every sector of life in the county—from public safety to small business equity.
But what defined the evening was not policy—it was presence.
👩🏾🧳 A Mother’s Tears, A City’s Gratitude
As the applause rose, Dr. Velica Val Ellisor, Commissioner Calvert’s mother, sat near the front, her eyes welling with tears. Her emotion said what words could not: this wasn’t just a political celebration. It was a mother’s moment of pride, earned over decades of watching her son rise, persist, and lead.
“You raised a builder,” a guest whispered to her. “And now we all get to live in what he’s built.”
🍽️ Shared Tables, Shared Purpose
Adding richness to the day was a special meal prepared by Tony Gradney, Chelsea's Catering & Bar Service, whose company provided the catering. Though not a childhood friend of Calvert’s, Gradney’s partnership in the day reflected the Commissioner’s long-standing belief in supporting Black-owned businesses and creating opportunity across city lines.
The meal offered more than flavor—it symbolized connection, collaboration, and the community uplift that has been a hallmark of Calvert’s approach.
🙏🏾 A Leader Anchored in Faith and Integrity
Cecilia Castellano, a respected voice in San Antonio’s business community, delivered one of the most moving tributes of the evening.
“He’s a man who shows up. Not just for ribbon-cuttings, but for the hard meetings, the long nights, and the unseen battles,” she said. “But more than that, he’s a man of God. That’s what makes him dependable. That’s why people trust him.”
Her words echoed across a room filled with nonprofit leaders, public officials, business owners, and families—all bearing witness to a leader who has consistently placed moral clarity above political gain.
👏 Honoring Foundations and First Steps
Among the day’s most heartfelt moments was a tribute from Beverly Watts Davis, who shared with the audience that she was Commissioner Calvert’s very first employer. With emotion in her voice, she reflected on the young man she once hired and the transformative leader he had become.
“From day one, you could see he had purpose,” Davis said. “It fills me with pride to see how he has honored his calling—and how he’s honored the community.”
✨ Ten Years Down, A Future Rising
In his brief but heartfelt remarks, Commissioner Calvert reminded the crowd that his journey has always been about purpose.
“To lead is to love,” he said. “And I’ve tried to love this county not just with words—but with work.”
As he prepares for the next chapter, Calvert’s record now stands not just in speeches or statistics, but in places like ChildSafe—structures born from his belief that every child, every family, and every neighborhood deserves to be seen, protected, and empowered.
Ten years of service. Countless lives touched. And a city forever changed by one man’s refusal to settle for the way things were.
Commissioner Tommy Calvert isn’t just marking time in office—he’s marking a legacy in hearts, in buildings, and in every corner of Bexar County that now feels more seen, more served, and more secure.
📌 10 Milestones in Commissioner Tommy Calvert’s Career
- First African-American Bexar County Commissioner
Elected in 2014 to serve Precinct 4, breaking barriers in one of Texas' most influential counties. - Launched County’s First Satellite Justice Campus
Opened within his first 44 days—integrating courts, clinics, and a sheriff substation on the Northeast Side. - Championed ChildSafe Relocation to the East Side
Secured $1.5M in redevelopment funds to bring the state’s top child advocacy center to Precinct 4. - Protected Randolph Air Force Base
Led land-use negotiations and won $10M in funding to protect military assets and regional jobs. - Created Cyber & IT Workforce Initiative
Provided East Side students and residents pathways to six-figure technology careers. - Secured $44M in Foreign Direct Investment
Brought international partnerships to San Antonio, generating over 1,300 jobs. - Expanded Reentry & Rehabilitation Programs
Grew employer participation in hiring returning citizens from 240 to over 800 businesses. - Led Countywide Equity in Contracting
Tripled awards to small, women-, and minority-owned businesses under his leadership. - Advanced Public Health Infrastructure
Helped fund the Dixon Center, Dr. Hilliard Clinic, and reopened clinics in underserved areas. - Increased Minimum Wage & Advocated Housing Bonds
Raised county worker pay to $15/hour and championed $100M for affordable housing.
About the Author:
Christopher C. Herring is the President of Global Chamber San Antonio, former Chairman of the City of San Antonio Small Business Advocacy Committee, and a founding member of the Fair Contracting Coalition. A retired U.S. Air Force officer and bestselling author, Herring has spent over two decades championing economic equity, small business development, and inclusive public policy. He is the publisher of River Walk Magazine and a former mayoral candidate committed to ending generational poverty and strengthening local opportunity for all communities. His work bridges civic leadership, international trade, and social justice across San Antonio and beyond.
