The Newport News Fire Department has appointed Kimberly D. Bracy, a Roanoke Rapids native, as its inaugural communications manager, a newly established leadership position that will oversee the department's strategic communications program while helping build its newly formed Community Division.
"It is an incredible honor to become the first communications manager for the Newport News Fire Department," Bracy said. "Helping build the department's new Community Division is a once-in-a-career opportunity. I look forward to working alongside Chief Wesley Rogers and the extraordinary men and women of NNFD to strengthen community partnerships, elevate fire and life safety education, and ensure our residents receive timely, accurate, and meaningful information when they need it most."
Bracy is an award-winning communications veteran with more than 30 years of experience leading strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, crisis communications, marketing, executive communications, and community engagement initiatives. “Throughout her career, she has served as a trusted spokesperson and communications strategist across local government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and the telecommunications industry, helping organizations strengthen public trust through transparent, timely, and effective communication.”
Most recently, Bracy served as communications and media relations manager for the City of Newport News, where she was the city's designated spokesperson and led communications for major city initiatives, emergency response efforts, executive leadership, and public engagement campaigns. Her responsibilities included media relations, crisis communications, executive messaging, strategic planning, public engagement, and communications support for city leadership and emergency management operations. She also directed the development of public information campaigns, marketing initiatives, executive correspondence, speeches, and community outreach strategies while collaborating across departments to advance city council priorities.
In her new role, Bracy will lead the fire department's communications strategy, oversee media relations, digital communications, public information, and community outreach, while expanding fire and life safety education initiatives. She will also play a pivotal role in developing the department's new Community Division, strengthening relationships between NNFD and the residents it proudly serves.
During her tenure with the city of Newport News, Bracy helped lead award-winning communications initiatives recognized by the Public Relations Society of America Hampton Roads Chapter. In 2025, the city's Communications Department earned six PRSA Merit Awards, with Bracy serving as the communications lead for three of the department's award-winning entries:
Newsletter: Newport News Now
Public Affairs: Joint City of Newport News and Newport News Public Schools communications regarding immigration resources and support
Crisis Communications: Public messaging and coordinated communications during Winter Storm Kingston
Prior to joining the city of Newport News, Bracy served as public information officer and clerk of the board for New Horizons Regional Education Centers, where she directed all internal and external communications, executive messaging, media relations, public affairs, board communications, and digital communications. She also continues to serve as President of Bracy Consulting, providing strategic communications counsel to organizations and executives throughout the region.
Her communications leadership spans multiple sectors. As corporate communications manager for the former KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation — now Smurfit Westrock — in Roanoke Rapids, Bracy served as the company's principal media spokesperson, led strategic communications planning, managed government and community relations, directed employee communications, and oversaw corporate giving initiatives.
Earlier, as community relations manager for Halifax Regional Medical Center — now ECU Health North Hospital — she served as the hospital's chief spokesperson, developed community health outreach initiatives, and provided media training for executive leadership.
Bracy began her communications career with GTE Wireless — Cellular One — where she advanced from customer care representative to public relations coordinator. In that role, she served as the company's primary media spokesperson for the Southeast Region, managed media relations, developed strategic public relations campaigns, coordinated advertising initiatives, and strengthened the company's visibility throughout the communities it served.
Bracy holds a Master of Communication in Strategic Communication from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, with a minor in English, from North Carolina A&T State University. She is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, the National School Public Relations Association, and the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. Additionally, she is a member of the Suffolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has the honor of serving as chair of the Vermelle T. Byrd Leadership Academy.
Her professional achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Trailblazer in Service Award (2025), the Connecting Communities Women's Leadership Award (2023), the KapStone President's Award (2013), and multiple Chamber of Commerce leadership awards recognizing excellence in community engagement and communications.
Bracy's appointment reflects the Newport News Fire Department's continued investment in proactive communications, meaningful community engagement, and transparency as it expands public outreach through its newly established Community Division.
Bracy is married to Dr. Elie Bracy, III, and they reside in Portsmouth. They have three adult children and one granddaughter. She is the daughter of Pearlie H. Daniels and the late Theodore T. Daniels.
