Jimmy (Jamshid) Delshad, the first Iranian-American mayor in the history of the United States, is not only a symbol of pride for Iranian immigrants but also a role model of effort, responsibility, and hope in a multicultural society like the United States. With a brilliant background in engineering, business, social activities, and ultimately politics, he has played a major role in introducing the true face of Iranians to the global community.
Roots and Immigration to America
Delshad was born in an ordinary neighborhood in Shiraz. His family was not wealthy but valued culture and education. His mother, a progressive and educated woman, taught him and his sisters the importance of education from early childhood and even organized classes at their home to teach Shirazi girls—a bold move at the time.
As a teenager, Jamshid immigrated to the United States with his brother, without financial backing but with a strong spirit to succeed. Initially, he faced many language and cultural challenges, but through hard work, he was able to study at the University of Minnesota and earned a scholarship with high grades. He specialized in engineering and computer science and later founded his successful company in electronics and data storage.
Entering Community, Charity, and Politics
From early on in America, Delshad was involved in volunteer and charitable activities. He worked voluntarily in schools, hospitals, and various organizations. His sister was the first to encourage him to go beyond business and enter social activities and eventually politics.
As he started his social work, he gradually became known among both Iranians and non-Iranians. After the events of September 11, seeing the difficulties Iranian immigrants faced with the immigration system, Delshad decided to enter politics to be the voice of his community. His goal was clear: representation, support, and promotion of Iranians' position in American society.
Mayor of Beverly Hills; A Historic Honor
In 2007, Jimmy Delshad was elected mayor of Beverly Hills. He was not only the first Iranian mayor of this city but also the first Iranian-American mayor in the entire United States. This event attracted attention from major world media from CNN to The New York Times. Delshad became known not only as a successful immigrant but also as someone who reached the pinnacle of local American politics.
But this path was not easy. He faced threats, discrimination, and even needed a personal security detail. Yet he never backed down and focused on building, not fearing.
Innovations and Modern Urban Management
One of Delshad's major achievements was launching the "Smart City" project in Beverly Hills. With his expertise in technology and engineering, he introduced innovative systems such as fiber optics, smart parking, urban surveillance, and high-speed internet into city programs. His famous slogan, "Beverly Hills, the Smart City," became a global brand. Later, mayors from cities like New York, Dubai, and Mumbai invited him to speak about his experience with this project.
Preserving Iranian Identity Along the Path to Success
Delshad has always proudly spoken of his Iranian identity. He humorously defended his accent and even turned it into an advantage. In his election campaigns, he would say:
"I didn't have an accent… until I came to this country!"
At an event called "90210 Day," which interestingly coincided with both the date September 2, 2010 (09/02/10) and the famous Beverly Hills ZIP code (90210), a grand ceremony was held with celebrities and Iranian food. In this program, ideas like Taste of Persia and Taste of Beverly Hills were blended, creatively and artistically introducing Iranian culture to the city.
Encouraging Iranians to Participate in Politics
Delshad considers the weak political participation of Iranians one of his main concerns. In his campaigns, he enlisted children to give his brochures to their parents and encourage them to vote. He says that even if Iranian votes made up only 10% of the ballots, just entering the political process was an important starting point.
He emphasizes:
"Until you enter, no change will happen."
After Mayoral Terms; Beverly Hills Global Ambassador
After two successful mayoral terms, Delshad decided not to run for a third time. However, the city council awarded him the title of Beverly Hills Global Ambassador. He now officially represents the city in international forums and meets and collaborates with officials from various cities around the world on behalf of Beverly Hills.
He is also a global ambassador for Cedars-Sinai, one of America's most prestigious hospitals, and plays a role in developing and promoting healthcare centers worldwide.
Advice, Recommendations, and a Look to the Future
Delshad summarizes his most important advice to the young Iranian generation as follows:
Start with volunteer work—in schools, hospitals, or nonprofit organizations.
Get known—without networking and social presence, no progress in politics is possible.
Accept challenges—if someone says "no," translate it as "not now," not "never."
Start early—he says:
"If I had entered politics earlier, maybe now I would be a senator or governor."
He believes many Iranians have succeeded in America, but their voices are not heard. It is necessary for these figures to come into the media, be seen, and inspire the next generation.
Jimmy Delshad: A Representative of Hope, Identity, and Effort
Delshad wants to leave a legacy so that when Iranians hear his name, they say:
"One of us paved the way."
Throughout his career, he proved that being an immigrant is not a limitation but an opportunity to build a bridge between two cultures. His path inspires thousands of young people who want to think globally and act while preserving their identity.
