Tuesday afternoon marked a special moment for Baltimore City as it welcomed its first mayor to be reelected in two decades.
During an elaborate inauguration ceremony on December 3, 2024, at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center, Mayor Brandon Maurice Scott was sworn in for his second term. The event attracted local, state and national leaders and hundreds of supporters.
This year’s mayoral inauguration was a far cry from the ceremony in 2020, which was socially distanced and could only accommodate a few individuals due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns.
Event signage that read “Baltimore: Experience The Renaissance” reflected the overarching theme for Scott’s second term as the Park Heights native aims to lead Charm City to a promising future with support of partners and city residents.
As Scott laid out his focus for the next four-year term during his inaugural address, he solicited all Baltimoreans to join him in building a better Baltimore, echoing optimism of what he hopes will be a resounding renaissance.
“I often talk of being in the midst of Baltimore’s renaissance,” Scott said.
“And I deeply believe we are poised to move this city in an unprecedented and positive trajectory. But I know that this work does not happen overnight – and it simply does not live and die with my administration or my time in this office. That is why I am calling on every Baltimorean, every resident and every visitor alike, to be part of this renaissance we are building.”
The event featured musical, dance and spoken word performances in addition to remarks from esteemed political leaders, including Governor Wes Moore, Congressman Kweisi Mfume and former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Scott’s inauguration was a great day for the city, state and nation, Moore told the audience.
“It’s exciting to be here because we know what we’re celebrating. We’re celebrating a leader who is special. We’re celebrating a leader who, every single day, fights for us. We’re celebrating a leader who most definitely earned it,” Moore said, acknowledging some of Scott’s accomplishments.
“We all know that we collectively have more work to do. We all know collectively that we have more places to invest, more wounds to heal, more lives to build, more barriers to eliminate. But I want to be clear – because of Brandon Scott’s leadership, the foundation has been set.
“So now the work continues and I want to say from the bottom of my heart that Mayor Scott – from the Moore-Miller Administration and the state’s 63rd governor – you don’t just have a partner. You have a friend and you have a fan.”
During his inaugural address, Scott touted the successes of his first term and highlighted some of the challenges. His violence reduction strategy and the five pillars of his administration were key talking points during his 36-minute speech.
Since taking office, Scott has partnered with law enforcement officials to remove more than 10,200 guns off the streets of Baltimore, he emphasized.
“That is what it means to have a truly comprehensive approach. Now, we see the results of that partnership and commitment. This year, we’re seeing a 24 percent reduction in homicides and a 34 percent reduction in nonfatal shootings,” Scott said.
“That, of course, is on top of a historic 20 percent reduction in 2023 – which at the time, the largest single year drop that Baltimore had ever seen.”
Scott said he wants to be remembered as “the foundational block for a better city” as he detailed childhood experiences that influenced his pursuit for a career in public service.
He also pointed out some of the administrative goals over the next term, including how the city is funded and the fight in the ongoing vacant housing blight.
“No matter what the world throws at Baltimore, we will continue to do the work and do it the right way for all of Baltimore’s people,” Scott said.
“My presence here today proves that we’ve turned the page on a new chapter of growth and closed the old chapter of instability. Now, we must keep writing that chapter – and I hope everyone in this room, everyone watching at home, everyone who stumbles upon this speech down the line – will join us in helping to write that chapter.”
Scott left listeners with words of encouragement and assurance as he continued his quest to create a bright future for Baltimore City.
“Baltimore – you have nurtured and inspired me my entire life. And, so, I have dedicated my life to you,” he concluded.
“That is the greatest decision I could have ever made – and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue doing so. Now, let’s get back to work.”