Biography - Joyce L. Randall

By Joyce L. "Rev. Randall" Randall

Joyce Randall stands for effective advocacy on behalf of children, teachers, and support staff as supported by her bio.

Joyce Randall is a native daughter of Memphis, Tennessee, born to Jeff and Marjorie Agnew. She earned both her BA from UCLA and her Clear Science Teaching Credential from the Graduate School of Education at UCLA. Joyce taught biology for 19 years: seven years in the Compton Unified School District and 12 years in the Inglewood Unified School District. Joyce is a product of the LAUSD: Marvin Avenue Elementary, Foshay Jr. High, Webster Jr. High, and Crenshaw High School. She has been married by grace for 30 years. They are the proud parents of four sons, proud grandparents of two grandsons and one grand daughter. Joyce has a good old southern supportive family in one sister, two brothers, a beautiful mother and stepfather and an extensive extended family.

Joyce served in ministry at Bethel AME Church, Los Angeles (Rev. Edgar E. Boyd and Jackie Boyd, First Family) for 12 years prior to serving in ministry at First AME Church. She co-founded Bethel's Girl Scout program with Cynthia Notto and Ruby Thomas. Mrs. Randall sang with the Cathedral Choir and the Hallelujah Voices Choir. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a steward on Steward Board #1, Education Chair in the Lena Jordan Unit of the Women's Missionary Society, Lay Organization Secretary, Director of Christian Education and Vacation Bible School Director. She also retooled the Tutoring Program.

In the Inglewood Unified School District, Joyce served as a Mentor Teacher; California Teachers Association Representative to State Council, Minority Representative; California Teachers Association Intern; Grievance Chair for the Inglewood Teachers Association; Drill Team Advisor; Pep Squad Advisor; Accreditation Team Member; Program Quality Review Team Member; Science Department Chair; Inglewood Council of PTA's President; President, La Tijera School PTA and the list goes on.

Joyce shared a rich experience with Dr. Cecil L. "Chip" Murray and Bernadine Murray, First Family, for 10 years. She served as the Director of Education, Senior Services and Special Projects, from 1995 to 1998; and from 2000-2005, supervised Sunday school, the nursery, Vacation Bible School, and the tutorial program for First AME. She was also the director for The Golden Touch, a support group providing spiritual renewal, education, information, and service to those who are 50 years of age and over. She provided many field trips and support services for seniors for over eight years. Joyce served as the Women's Bible Study instructor. Mrs. Randall served with Dr. Murray's Director of Economic Development, Dr. Mark Whitlock, on the development of projects with FAME Renaissance.

Among her many associations, Joyce is a PM and traveler with the Order of the Eastern Star, Esther Chapter #108; a past member of OES Hillcrest #8; a past member of the Charter Study Commission, City of Inglewood; Life Member of NAACP; Education Chair, NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood; Member-At-Large, NAACP State of California; Boy Scouts of America Membership and Religion Chair, Los Angeles Area Council; Top Ladies of Distinction member, Ladera Heights; Inglewood Women of Vision Chaplain; New Frontier Democratic Club, Lifetime Member; Grant writing consultant; Workshop, Retreat Seminar presenter; and Chaplain for the Los Angeles Police Department. She was a LAPD Explorer of Post 833, out of WLA as a teenager.

Joyce accepted Christ at a very early age in Memphis, Tennessee, at Calvary Baptist Church (Rev. and Mrs. Ragsdale, First Family.) She was baptized in Los Angeles at Southern Missionary Baptist, at the age of 12, by Rev. Joe Gates (retired), nurtured by Rev. Wilbur McCall (retired), beloved Pastor of St. Stephens Baptist Church, Valinda, and embraced as a member of Mt. Moriah MBC while still a young adult by beloved pastor, Rev. Melvin (Jackie) Von Wade Sr.

In February 2007, Rev. Randall was appointed as the first clergywoman Executive Director of the Los Angeles Council of Churches, in the 97-year history of the council. In January 2008, she was appointed as the founding Pastor of Praises of Zion AMELC. She is currently the Editor of Church Women United, Los Angeles Unit Newsletter, and the Editor of the League of Women Voters, Beach Cities, Voter Guide. She is published in Windows of Life, September 2008. She is preparing to publish, Windows, a literary compilation, that includes The Rush of Sunday Morning, and Legal Hostages. Check your local bookshelves soon.