The Town has been recognized as a finalist for the 2023 All-America City Award! This annual award sponsored by the National Civic League recognizes communities for civic engagement, inclusiveness, and innovation. The Town of Mount Pleasant has twice been recognized with this national award in 2010 and again in 2018.

The theme for 2023 is “Creating Thriving Communities through Youth Engagement.” Focus areas for 2023 include projects that “Foster youth-oriented efforts to improve equity and inclusion”; “Increase job readiness and employment opportunities for youth”; and “Improve police-youth relations and engagement in public safety”.

The Town included several strong and compelling stories in the application that demonstrate our community’s commitment to engage and support our young people which we will present to a panel of judges in Denver this June:

We will highlight the work of local non-profit Just Bee and restaurant Migliori’s Pizza. Both organizations work towards expanding inclusivity and positive experiences for families and individuals who are neurodivergent and differently abled.

We will showcase our array of law enforcement programs designed to build relationships between community members, particularly young ones, and police. Our loyal School Resource Officers who create lasting bonds with Mount Pleasant students and our Police Explorers and Community Service Officers who engage with and assist the public and our law enforcement officers.

We will share the story of the Shipman family, who in the nearly seven years since the opioid epidemic claimed the life of 19-year-old Creighton Shipman, has been fighting to save lives through their non-profit, Wake Up Carolina.

In June, a delegation of Town staff and community members will give a 10-minute presentation in front of a panel of judges. The goal of the presentation is to highlight the accomplishments of the community discussed in the application by featuring the people who have fostered and advocated for positive change in town. Community members and town leaders are hopeful that months of preparation for the competition will earn the town its third All-America City designation to prove that all the pieces and people of the town fit together to create something extraordinary.