Support Local Event for Public Safety: Honoring Lives, Building Hope, and Ending Gun Violence
Hosted in collaboration with Positive Vibes Ronjanae Smith, Inc., the North Charleston Police Department, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and WakeUp Carolina, this event brings together families, neighbors, law enforcement, and advocates under one common goal: to protect our youth and ensure a safer future for all.
Why We Walk: The Ripple Effects of Gun Violence
Behind every statistic is a story of loss, trauma, and resilience. Gun violence has carved deep scars in the North Charleston area, particularly among our youth. Just this April, three out of four shootings in two days involved juveniles as young as 13 years old. These tragedies are not isolated incidents. They send shockwaves through families, classrooms, and entire communities.
The event honors the life of Ronjanae Smith, a 14-year-old girl who was senselessly killed in a mass shooting at an outdoor concert in North Charleston in 2021. Her father, Ronald Smith, founded Positive Vibes Ronjanae Smith, Inc., months after her death. The nonprofit now leads community-based efforts to prevent gun violence through education, outreach, and intervention.
A Vested Interest in Protecting Our Youth
WakeUp Carolina, a nonprofit organization that advocates for individuals and families impacted by substance use, is proud to join this movement as a community partner. As part of the public safety panel during the event, Founder Nanci Steadman Shipman will speak about the urgent need for community-wide solutions that keep our youth safe, not only from gun violence, but from the intersecting risks that often come with it, including trauma and substance use.
WakeUp Carolina recognizes that violence, substance use, grief, and loss are deeply interconnected. Supporting our young people means addressing these issues holistically—with care, compassion, and a united front.
What to Expect
After the 3K Run and Walk, participants are encouraged to stay for food, drinks, and a series of dynamic, heartfelt conversations. Speakers, from survivors and advocates to law enforcement and nonprofit leaders, will share their stories, insights, and actionable steps toward creating safer communities.
This is a family-friendly event—filled with energy, reflection, and the power of collective action. Together, we will show that the lives lost to gun violence are not forgotten. Their stories fuel our mission.
Join Us
🗓 Saturday, June 21, 2025
📍 Park Circle, North Charleston
🕗 Registration at 8:00 AM | 3K Run/Walk begins at 9:00 AM
🎤 Speakers, food, and fellowship to follow
Let’s Wrap Our Arms Around This Community
Every step we take together is toward healing, prevention, and unity. Join us to honor the memory of those we’ve lost, uplift the survivors, and champion the future we believe in—one where our children are safe, seen, and supported.
Let’s show up for our city. Let’s walk for Ronjanae. Let’s protect our youth. Let’s end gun violence—together.