For more than five decades, John H. Bracey, Jr. was a towering figure in the field of Afro-American Studies. He was an activist, scholar, mentor, and community builder whose influence shaped generations of students and colleagues. His work at UMass Amherst helped define the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies as a national leader in the discipline.

To honor his legacy, UMass established the John H. Bracey Fellowship. This endowment reflects his lifelong commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and the empowerment of Black scholars.

About the Fellowship

The John H. Bracey Fellowship Endowment provides critical summer support to doctoral students in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies who have achieved candidacy and are immersed in the research and writing of their dissertations. Whether they are just beginning their fieldwork or putting the final touches on their conclusions, this fellowship enables students to focus deeply on their scholarship without financial interruption.

Your Gift Matters

When you give to this endowment, you are helping to ensure that the next generation of Afro-American scholars can carry forward Dr. Bracey's legacy of rigorous inquiry, advocacy, and transformative teaching.