Great Ms. Shirley Bradley

Bunche Manor/Hollando - In 1963, a young Shirley Bradley and her husband, Ernest Bradley Jr., moved into their newly built home in the Clear Lake: Bunche Manor/Hollando neighborhood. The house, nestled in the heart of Orlando, would become a place deeply rooted in love, leadership, and legacy for their family and for the community around them. Designed with help from a construction-minded educator named Leroy Brown, the home was based on a floor plan the couple discovered in a newspaper. They had it built on a lot they purchased just a year earlier. “That was an achievement for any Black couple back in 1961, 62,” Shirley recalled proudly. More than six decades later, she still lives in that home and still loves it.

A retired educator, longtime neighborhood association president, devoted church member, and lifelong community advocate, Shirley Bradley has embodied the enduring spirit of civic commitment and resilience. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, she was raised in a civically engaged family. Her father ran a barbershop and served as a local precinct captain, while her mother became the first female barber in Charleston after earning her state certification during World War II. That legacy of public service and entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. “I’m from strong blood,” she said. “And I love every minute of it.”

Shirley and Ernest raised two daughters. She now enjoys the joy of three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter, and proudly holds the role of family matriarch. Her sister Elaine and her brother are still living, and Shirley remains a source of strength and tradition within the extended family. Her sister Elaine is also well known in the Orlando community as the co-owner of Nikki’s Place, a beloved soul food restaurant with deep roots of its own.

After graduating from South Carolina State College [now University] in 1956, where she was captain of the cheer squad and met her future husband, Shirley moved to Orlando in 1961. She went on to spend more than 43 years as an educator in Orange County Public Schools. She began teaching at Washington Shores Elementary School in 1963, where she not only educated young minds but also joined the Washington Shores Teachers Chorus, delighting the community with performances that blended classical, gospel, and rhythm and blues. She later transferred to Chickasaw Elementary School after school integration and remained there until retirement.

Shirley’s commitment to civic engagement extended far beyond the classroom. For 19 years, she served as president of the Clear Lake: Bunche Manor/Hollando Neighborhood Association. Under her leadership, the neighborhood secured grant funding, adopted a precinct for elections, and installed the signature brick entry signs that still stand proudly today. “My husband and I were proud of that neighborhood,” she said. “I am definitely proud.”

Civic engagement has always been a core part of her life. Inspired by her politically active parents, Shirley has long been involved in voter education and election efforts. Through her guidance, the neighborhood joined Orange County’s Adopt-a-Precinct program, earning funding for community projects by volunteering at election sites. “Our name, Clear Lake: Bunche Manor/Hollando, is on the wall down at the elections office,” she shared. “That money helped us put up those beautiful signs.”

A woman of many passions, Shirley has been a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 1977, and she looks forward to celebrating her 50th anniversary in 2027. Her faith is also a cornerstone of her life, she sings in the choir and remains active at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church.

Now in her 80s, Shirley Bradley continues to be a voice for change and an advocate for preserving community integrity. She speaks candidly about the need for neighborhood investment, responsible redevelopment, and affordable housing. “Slum areas need to be changed for the betterment,” she stated. “People worked hard for their homes, and we need to honor that legacy, not let it fade.”

When asked what she hopes others say about her, her answer is simple but powerful:
“That I’m a pleasant person and I say positive things to people. It’s not because I want to, it’s because I need to.”