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    You are at:Home » Central Florida Leaders Remember Randolph Bracy, Jr.
    Religion

    Central Florida Leaders Remember Randolph Bracy, Jr.

    June 21, 20234 Mins Read8 Views
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    New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando announced his passing.

    By Jacob Ogles

    Political leaders in Central Florida are mourning the loss of a beloved community leader.

    The Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. died at age 78, announced New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando. That’s a church Bracy and his wife, LaVon Bracy, founded in 1992.

    The couple raised more than a congregation, becoming critical leaders in the economic development of Orlando’s minority communities.

    Additionally, they raised a political dynasty. The Bracy family includes former state Sen. Randolph Bracy III and current state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis.

    The family released a statement to NBC affiliate WESH.

    “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the earthly work of Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr. has been completed. He was a guiding light, a beacon of faith, and an inspiration to us all. His unwavering dedication to serving our community and spreading the message of love, compassion and hope touched countless lives. We bow in humble submission to the omniscient will of God. Today, divinely, and appropriately on Father’s Day, Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr. traded in his cross for a majestic crown,” the family statement reads.

    “We will forever cherish the wisdom, kindness and grace Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr. shared with us during his time. We kindly solicit your prayers as husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, and spiritual leader Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr. rests in the arms of the Almighty.”

    Political leaders also marked the loss.

    “Today, Florida lost a beloved community leader, Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. A faith leader, educator and champion for economic development, Dr. Bracy not only served as a spiritual guide for many, but as a visionary leader creating jobs, housing and educational opportunities for Floridians,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

    “Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Dr. Lavon Bracy, children, State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Sen. Randolph Bracy, and the entire Bracy family.  May we celebrate his life and remember him in all the ways he bent the arc of history towards justice.”

    U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat who faced former state Sen. Bracy in a Primary last year, praised the elder Bracy’s achievements.

    “Today, our community lost a giant. Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. was an educator, pastor, father, husband, organizer and community leader,” Frost posted on social media. “He helped shape Central Florida through his unwavering commitment to justice fueled by his love of people and God. Rest in power.”

    State Sen. Linda Stewart, an Orlando Democrat, celebrated his life.

    “Rev. Dr. Bracy was a great man and loved his community,” she wrote on Twitter.

    State Rep. Rita Harris, an Orlando Democrat, serves with state Rep. Davis.

    “Taking a moment to honor Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy,” she tweeted. “Holding space for his wife, Dr. Lavon Bracy, and for his children, Sen. Randolph Bracy and my dear friend and colleague, Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis. Sending comfort and strength to all who know and love him. May his memory forever be a blessing.”

    State Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, remembered his life as well.

    “Today, our community lost a giant. Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. was a civil rights icon with a booming and unforgettable voice that demanded attention in any room,” she posted. “An educator, pastor, father, husband, and advocate, he helped to shape the Central Florida we know today. His legacy lives on in the work of his family, and I am honored to serve alongside his daughter Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis in the Florida House. Rest In Power Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr.”

    From St. Petersburg, state Rep. Lindsay Cross, a Pinellas Democrat, also noted the loss.

    “Sending love and comfort to my friend and colleague Rep. Bracy-Davis, her brother Randolph Bracy and their extended families on the loss of their father,” she said.

    Wes Hodge, a former Orange County Democratic Party Chair, noted Davis’s contributions.

    “Today, our community has lost a great leader,” he posted. “Rev. Dr. Bracy was a true champion. My heart is with his family, Rep. LaVon Patrice Bracy Davis, Sen. Randolph Bracy, and especially Dr. LaVon Bracy. Thank you, Rev. Bracy, for your service, compassion, and support. Rest in Power.”

    and advocate and I am honored to serve alongside his daughter Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis in the Florida House. Rest In Power Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr.” father he helped to shape the Central Florida we know today. His legacy lives on in the work of his family husband our community lost a giant. Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. was a civil rights icon with a booming and unforgettable voice that demanded attention in any room Pastor “Today ” she posted. “An educator
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    Carma Henry

    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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    This College Chaplain Fills The Pews By Teaching, Not Preaching Lawrence Lockett Jr., Morgan State University chaplain. Credit: Lawrence Lockett Jr. via LinkedIn By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE (Source: Amsterdam News) It’s understandable for parents of strong faith to worry about the spiritual lives of their children who’ve gone away to college. After all, it’s easy for a young person, perhaps on their own for the first time, to suc-cumb to the temptations of partying late on Saturday night and sleeping in on Sunday morning. But Minister Lawrence Lockett Jr., chaplain at Morgan State University in Baltimore, is packing them into the pews most Sundays. He is engaging them in lively ways during the week. And students are joining the choir, accompanying worship on various instruments, and serving as readers and leaders throughout the service. It is by the grace of God for sure, but also by the loving service of Lockett, who’s beginning his second year as the school’s director of chapel. He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. Having been there helps me really walk with them and anchor them in the storm of life that’s going to come. I want them to understand that their soul really matters. A lot of students focus on mental health, but they really need to focus on spiritual health as well. It should be one and the same. So I’ve been trying to preach that, if anything, spiritual health is just as important as your mental health. But we do encour-age the use of the counseling center, for sure, if there is a mental health crisis. WIB: What does Monday through Friday look like for you? LL: Mondays, we are usually off because of Sundays. On Tuesdays, we have Bible studies, so I’ll host a Bible study at noon along with my colleagues that work in the chapel. And then, I’m teaching a class called Hip-hop and the Gospel on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., dealing with mixing culture and religion. On Wednesdays, we do something called “breath and balance,” which is just a meditative type of pro-gram with breathing exercises as stress relievers. We work with the School of Nutrition Science and the food resource center so that the students get a nice free meal and practice breathing exercises and meth-ods to feel good about the day. For Thursdays, we started something called the mosaic, in which we have different campus ministers gather in small groups, just like a mosaic painting. So the students who come on Sundays then get plugged into small groups on Thursdays. And on Fridays at 1 p.m., we do prayer for Muslims.. We have an imam lecture and then lead in corporate prayer. It’s a good mix. WIB: What is “Spend a Block?” Didn’t you receive an award for it? LL: That started last year. We just basically do services outside: outside the residence halls, in the quad, wherever it may be. Honestly, worship on a college campus looks different than it did 20 or 30 years ago. Students want something real and authentic, something they can gravitate to, and something that’s convenient. So when we’re outside, people are like, “What’s all the noise outside? What’s all the music?” Then they come outside, and there are chairs, so they grab one and sit and enjoy the service. We come to them. They don’t have to come to us. At the very beginning of the semester, we do services outside the four resi-dence halls. And that kind of gives us a steamroll into homecoming week. And we’ve seen a lot of success because of that. WIB: What should I expect when I arrive for Sunday service? LL: You’re gonna see a lot of involvement with students. I’ve learned that students like to feel invested, and they want to participate in what’s going on. They don’t want to be told by adults what they should and shouldn’t do. So when you go to the service, you’ll see our praise team full of students. You’ll see a choir full of students. You’ll see students reading scripture. You’ll see students giving testimonies. And then I’ll come in and give a sermon, or I’ll have a guest friend or a guest preacher come in to do the sermon. But you’re gonna see a lot of student involvement, and I think that also assisted with a lot of the growth be-cause when they see fellow students, they understand they’re just like me, and if they can do it, I can do it. WIB: What about musicians and choir? LL: The musicians are also students. They say, “Hey, I love to play. I wanna use my gifts in some way, shape, or form.” And they’ll ask whether or not there’s a spot for them. And we say absolutely. And there is a chapel choir. Some of the members are also members of the university choir. WIB: What is the “next” you see for the chapel? LL: I want the students to know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. The chapel really is the heartbeat of the campus, and I want students to know more about where faith, hope, and belonging really stem from. 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    September 24, 2025
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