He moved back to Chicago and studied at Roosevelt University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1964.
[3] While Bracey was a student in the 1960's, he was involved in civil rights activities such as sit-ins and marches to protest racial segregation.
The protest took place because Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was attempting to minimize the issue of race relations.
[2] Bracey helped create one of the nation's first doctoral programs in African American Studies.
[2] During his time at the University of Massachusetts, he was a faculty member in the W.E.B Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies.
[4] Bracey supported student organizations, initiatives, and contributed greatly to cultural and educational life at UMass.
In addition to his scholarly works, he penned an award winning essay on John Coltrane.