Sen. Bracy announces plans to expand scholarship program for descendants of Ocoee Massacre victims

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) held a press conference Wednesday where he announced plans to significantly expand his Ocoee Scholarship Program.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The Florida Legislature created the program in 2021 with the goal of offering financial assistance for up to 50 eligible students who are either direct descendants of victims of the Ocoee Election Day Riots of 1920, or are current African-American Ocoee residents.

READ: A year-and-a-half later, impact of state’s broken unemployment system lingers

Bracy announced plans Wednesday to pass legislation that would expand the program to include up to 500 students.

He said it would make it the largest program in the country that pays some form of compensation to African-Americans.

READ: 7 people evicted from Orlando complex while waiting for rental assistance

“I believe that addressing past racial unrest with compensation is a way to heal those past wounds, and heal the community,” Bracy said. “So I’m glad we’re going to expand this program and make it the largest of its kind in this country.”

Bracy said he’s had conversations with Senate leadership and expects to pass the expansion “this year.”

READ: Florida lawmakers, Miya Marcano’s family rally in favor of increasing renter safety

For more information on the Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click here.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Cox Media Group