David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City, was named the first Founding Mayor of America the Entrepreneurial, a national campaign launched to promote entrepreneurship as a civic priority. The initiative, created by Right to Start, a nonprofit organization, and More Perfect, a bipartisan coalition of presidential centers and academic institutions, seeks to place entrepreneurship at the center of civic and local government agendas across the United States.
The campaign’s launch coincides with the preparations for the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. It emphasizes the importance of small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit in shaping the nation’s future. By focusing on civic leadership, the initiative aims to inspire local governments to actively support entrepreneurship and innovation in their communities.
Mayor Holt’s appointment as the Founding Mayor of the campaign reflects his long-standing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in Oklahoma City and beyond. His leadership role provides a platform to engage with mayors from across the country and emphasize the importance of local government involvement in entrepreneurial growth.
David Holt’s Leadership in Oklahoma City and Beyond
David Holt, who has served as the mayor of Oklahoma City since 2018, is known for his focus on civic engagement, community development, and economic growth. He was elected as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2025, which has further expanded his influence in national and local policymaking. His leadership in Oklahoma City has seen the development of several initiatives that support small businesses, technology innovation, and community-driven economic strategies.
As the Founding Mayor of America the Entrepreneurial, Holt brings his experience in Oklahoma City, where he has worked to create an environment that encourages business growth and innovation. His appointment to lead the national initiative highlights the role that mayors play in shaping the economic landscape of their cities and the nation.
In his role with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Holt has also been an advocate for entrepreneurship as an essential part of local economic development. His work as a local leader provides a strong foundation for his national leadership in the campaign, where he can leverage his experience in creating policies that support small businesses and entrepreneurs at the city level.
America the Entrepreneurial Campaign: A Focus on Local Innovation
The America the Entrepreneurial campaign is designed to encourage cities across the United States to prioritize small business creation, innovation hubs, and community-driven economic activity. The initiative connects civic institutions, entrepreneurs, and local government leaders to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and provides access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The Right to Start organization, which advocates for reducing barriers to entrepreneurship, has teamed up with More Perfect to launch this campaign. The coalition aims to make entrepreneurship a central component of civic identity, with local leaders playing a pivotal role in shaping the policies that support innovation and business development in their communities.
Through this initiative, cities are encouraged to become more proactive in supporting entrepreneurs by providing access to funding, mentorship, and resources. By doing so, the campaign seeks to ensure that entrepreneurial activity is viewed as a key pillar of local government priorities and a vital driver of community development.
Oklahoma City’s Role in the National Entrepreneurial Landscape
Oklahoma City has made significant strides in creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurial success. Under Mayor Holt’s leadership, the city has become home to small business programs, cultural districts, and technology initiatives aimed at supporting local startups. Oklahoma City’s efforts to promote economic diversification have made it a hub for innovation and a model for other cities looking to integrate entrepreneurship into their civic strategies.
Holt’s involvement in the America the Entrepreneurial campaign brings national attention to Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By leveraging the city’s successes, Holt hopes to inspire other cities across the U.S. to adopt similar policies that prioritize small business growth and foster innovation. Oklahoma City’s emphasis on creating a supportive environment for small businesses aligns with the goals of the campaign, making it a valuable contributor to the national conversation about entrepreneurship.
The city’s commitment to local innovation is further reinforced by its active support for cultural districts, technology hubs, and the growth of entrepreneurial spaces such as the Henrietta B. Foster Center for Small Business Development. These efforts, combined with Holt’s leadership, position Oklahoma City as a key player in the national movement to promote entrepreneurship at the local level.
National Campaign Goals: Connecting Local Governments with Entrepreneurs
The goal of the America the Entrepreneurial campaign is to create lasting partnerships between local governments and entrepreneurial networks. By providing resources and tools for mayors and local leaders, the campaign seeks to make entrepreneurship a cornerstone of local governance and community development.
The initiative provides mayors with playbooks that outline best practices for supporting entrepreneurs and fostering business-friendly environments. By highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship at the local level, the campaign aims to create a ripple effect that encourages cities to invest in their entrepreneurial ecosystems, offering more opportunities for startups and small businesses to thrive.
Holt’s leadership in the campaign positions him as a key advocate for the importance of entrepreneurship in shaping the future of cities across the U.S. As more cities join the initiative, the collective impact of local leadership will help create a stronger, more connected national network of entrepreneurs and small business advocates.
