MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — More than a decade after a young Berkeley County man’s life was cut short by gun violence, his family and supporters will once again take to the streets of Moncks Corner to honor his memory and promote safer communities.
The Bradley Blake Foundation will host the 2026 Tri-County Orange Walk on Saturday, June 6, bringing together residents, law enforcement agencies and community organizations for a three-mile walk dedicated to raising awareness about gun violence.
The free event, held in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, will begin and end at the Moncks Corner Recreation Complex at 418 E. Main St. Participants are encouraged to wear orange, the nationally recognized color for gun violence awareness.
The foundation is partnering with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Moncks Corner Police Department, Goose Creek Police Department and the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office for the annual event.
“Bring your friends and family and help us raise awareness to gun violence and help strengthen our communities with the much-needed resources,” the foundation said in a social media announcement promoting the event.
Organizers say the walk will feature free food, community resources, entertainment and activities designed to encourage community engagement and violence prevention.
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A Mother’s Mission
The event carries special significance for the Blake family.
The foundation was established in memory of Bradley Blake, a 21-year-old St. Stephen resident who was fatally shot in 2012.
Family members have described Blake as a young man who loved deeply, enjoyed life and dreamed of one day designing video games. His death devastated those who knew him and sparked a mission that continues more than a decade later.
“He’s truly missed,” his mother, Sylvia Blake, told The Berkeley Observer in a previous interview. “It’s hard for me even to imagine making it through the next day without him.”
Rather than allowing tragedy to define her son’s legacy, Blake’s family turned their grief into advocacy, creating a foundation focused on gun violence awareness, victim support and community outreach.
Over the years, the organization has hosted walks, educational events, community cleanups and resource fairs aimed at reducing violence and strengthening neighborhoods across Berkeley County and beyond.
Walking for Awareness
Organizers say the approximately three-mile route will travel through the heart of Moncks Corner before returning to the recreation complex.
Registration for the event is free, with participants encouraged to arrive early for lineup beginning at 7 a.m.
The walk coincides with Gun Violence Awareness Month, observed nationwide each June to honor victims of gun violence and promote efforts aimed at reducing firearm-related deaths and injuries.
Supporters say events like the Orange Walk serve as an opportunity not only to remember those lost but also to connect residents with resources that can help prevent future violence.
Building Stronger Communities
As communities across South Carolina continue to grapple with the impact of violent crime, organizers say the event’s message extends beyond remembrance.
The goal, they say, is to foster conversations, encourage collaboration between residents and law enforcement, and provide access to programs that support youth, families and crime victims.
More than 10 years after Bradley Blake’s death, his name continues to bring people together around a common cause.
For his family, the annual walk is a reminder that while the pain of loss never fully disappears, positive change can emerge from tragedy.
The 2026 Tri-County Orange Walk begins Saturday, June 6, at the Moncks Corner Recreation Complex. Registration is free and open to the public.
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