DR. RANDOLPH BRACY, JR.
& DR. LAVON W. BRACY
New Covenant’s Founders
The late Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr. was a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and the son of the late Randolph Bracy, Sr. and the late Ethel Bracy. He was born on November 4, 1944 and passed on to glory on June 18, 2023. He was educated in the public schools of Jacksonville. Dr. Bracy earned several degrees:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Bethune Cookman College (1967)
- Masters of Education (M.Ed.) from Florida A&M University (1970)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Florida (1974)
- Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.) from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School (1982)
In 1999, he earned a certificate at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at the Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts with the Summer Leadership Institute. In 2004, he presented a paper at the Oxford Round Table on Religion, Education and the Role of Government, entitled “When the Truth is Told — Educational Vouchers are a Sham!” — Oxford University, Oxford, England.
Bracy responded to the Call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1977, and was licensed by the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church of Jacksonville, Florida. On March 12, 1982, he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry at the Bethel Church and was called on the same day as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Paschall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From 1982 through 1991, he served there as Pastor. In 1991, he was called to pastor the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida. In August 1992, after much prayer, he and his wife, Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy were led to organize the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando.
Dr. Bracy’s ministry transcended several denominations through Bible conferences, lay academies, retreats, revivals and church growth conferences. He served as Visiting Professor and Lecturer at the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, the Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly called the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary of Philadelphia), and the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, New York, and Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Bracy’s significant contributions to civil rights and equality were best exemplified by his instrumental role as a life member and past president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As one of his greatest roles as a leader, Dr. Bracy served his alma mater, Bethune Cookman University from 2013 until his passing and was Founding Dean of the B-CU School of Religion.
The late Dr. Bracy and his wife of 48 years — Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy — are the parents of Randolph (Randy) III, and LaVon Patrice Bracy Davis.
Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy was born in Boynton Beach, Florida to the proud parents, the late Reverend Thomas A.Wright, Sr., and the late Affie Clayton Wright. She was educated in the public schools of St. Augustine and Gainesvillle, Florida. She was the first African American to integrate the public schools of the Alachua County school system and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1964. In May, 2004, she was recognized by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) at the Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. during the 50 year celebration of the 1954 US Supreme Court – Brown vs. Board of Topeka Decision.
Being a champion of education, LaVon received several degrees:
o Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee
o Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
o Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration, from University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
LaVon began her professional career working as a college administrator. She spent ten years as a public servant as Assistant Managing Director for the office of homeless for the City of Philadelphia.
In 1991 when their ministry led them to Orlando, Florida, LaVon, along with her husband the late Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr., organized the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando. Literally starting with nothing, the New Covenant Church has grown to a membership of more than 2000. The Bracys were champions for economic development with the New Covenant Church serving as the primary economic engine. Currently, the entity has a corporate worth of close to 20 million dollars. The present 30,000 square feet family life church facility houses more than forty (40) ministries, ten full-time employees, and the church’s sanctuary for worship. Dr. LaVon served as the Church Administrator until her retirement in 2012.
Being actively involved social and political matters is a passion of Dr. LaVon. She has made many contributions to the Orlando community. She has served as a delegate in national conventions. She has gone door to door where necessary registering people to vote and is passionate about all things that affect the rights of citizens to vote.