In Memoriam: Christine Capetola, 1987-2024

Christine Capetola, assistant professor of African American studies at California State University, Fullerton, passed away on July 30. They were 37 years old.

In 2021, Dr. Capetola joined the Cal State Fullerton community as a postdoctoral fellow. One year later, Dr. Capetola transitioned to a full-time teaching position within the department of African American studies. Earlier, Dr. Capetola served as an Andrew W. Mellon Engaged Scholar Initiative Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin and as a visiting assistant professor of communications and gender and sexuality studies at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Dr. Capetola’s scholarly endeavors centered around the intersections of queer, Black, sound, affect, and performance studies, particularly the emotional impact of Black music on listeners. Dr. Capetola’s book Sonic Femmeness: Black Culture Makers, Felt History and Vibrational Identity, is currently under contract with Duke University Press.

Dr. Capetola was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachleor’s degree in economics with a minor in gender, culture, and society. Dr. Capetola received a master’s degree in performance studies from New York University and a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin.