Mayor highlights Walter Scott family's role in North Charleston's All-America City presentation

Mayor Reggie Burgess opened the council meeting by describing the city's recent trip to Denver, where North Charleston was one of 20 cities invited to present in the National Civic League All-America City competition. "We are representing North Charleston in the way that that we can be proud of," Burgess said, thanking the team that prepared the application and presentation.

Mandy, who led the city's All-America City effort, introduced members of the Walter Scott family and program participants who joined the delegation. "The Scott family is just the nearest and dearest to my heart now," Mandy said, and she credited their participation for strengthening the city's presentation. The team highlighted the Liberty Hill after-school enrichment program, therapeutic sports and an inclusive playground that drew more than 500,000 visitors in its first six months, according to presenters.

Council members and attendees praised partnerships with community groups and organizations that supported racial-equity training and youth programming. A recorded segment shown at the presentation recounted the 2015 officer-involved shooting of Walter Scott and described subsequent community-engagement and police-accountability measures the city has emphasized in recruiting and training efforts.

City officials said the All-America City submission emphasized civic engagement, trust-building with families affected by past police violence, and investments in inclusive public spaces and youth programming. The mayor and presenters framed the trip as part of an ongoing effort to expand community-driven programming and to showcase North Charleston's work to regional and national audiences.