U.S. Senator Tim Scott co-hosted The Faith and Politics Institute’s Annual Pilgrimage in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 16, joining Congressman James E. Clyburn and more than 200 participants for a fireside chat reflecting on the legacy of Robert Smalls at Fort Moultrie.
The event aimed to bring together Members of Congress and community leaders to reflect on American history as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The conversation, titled “The Greatness of this Country That Produced Robert Smalls,” featured historian Bernard Powers from the College of Charleston and was moderated by Robert Traynham, president of the Faith and Politics Institute.
“Standing in Charleston, where Robert Smalls sailed himself from slavery to freedom, reminded all of us that the promise of America is not just a place, it is an idea, a story, and a people. The Faith and Politics Pilgrimage brought Members of Congress and our communities together across every difference to wrestle honestly with that story, and to recommit ourselves to the more perfect union it demands of us,” said Sen. Scott.
“It was my pleasure to welcome my Congressional colleagues, partners, and community members to the 2026 Faith and Politics Institutes’ Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. As we came together in my home state of South Carolina, I was inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he intoned: ‘We must keep moving. If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; crawl; but by all means keep moving,’” said Rep. Clyburn. “Movement defines the American story which encompasses African American history in which this state has played a pivotal and powerful role. South Carolina is inextricably linked to the struggles as well as the achievements of our great nation. During this pilgrimage, we recognize and properly honored the past, but also acknowledged the present and embraced opportunities for positive change.”
“Hosting this bipartisan pilgrimage in Charleston was both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Traynham. “As we reflected on the theme One Country, One Destiny, we were reminded that understanding our history, especially in places as consequential as Charleston, is essential to building a more perfect union.”
Robert Smalls was born into slavery in Beaufort before commandeering a Confederate ship during the Civil War to secure his freedom—a feat that led him later to serve with distinction in both the Union Navy and U.S. House of Representatives.
Scott offers constituent services including assistance with federal agencies for South Carolina residents according to his official website. He helped enact Opportunity Zones legislation in 2017 designed to foster investment in distressed communities according to his official website, championing private investment in economically challenged areas according to his official website. Scott earned his bachelor’s degree from Charleston Southern University according to his official website.
He participates on Senate committees such as Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Finance; Health; Education; Labor and Pensions; as well as Small Business and Entrepreneurship according to his official website. Workforce development and economic opportunity remain key priorities for Scott’s work representing South Carolina residents according to his official website.
