“R” is for Riley, Joseph P., Jr., Legislator, mayor of Charleston. A native Charlestonian, Riley graduated from the Citadel and the USC School of Law. From 1968 to 1975 he represented Charleston in the South Carolina House of Representatives—where he earned a reputation as a reformer. In 1975 he was elected to the first of ten terms as mayor of Charleston. Under Riley’s leadership the city experienced considerable revival and growth that brought national and international recognition. This included revitalization of its historical residential and business areas and significantly improved race relations. Joseph P. Riley, Jr.’s leadership helped Charleston and Charlestonians deal with rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, (1989), the death of nine fire-fighters in the Charleston Super Sofa Fire (2007), and the murder of nine Black church members at Mother Emanuel AME Church (2015).
“R” is for Riley, Joseph P., Jr.
