In Memoriam: Julie Elena Stokes-Thomas, 1952-2021

Julie Elena Stokes-Thomas, professor emerita of African American studies and founding director of the African American Resource Center at California State University, Fullerton, died late last month. She was 69 years old.

Dr. Stokes-Thoas was a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, where she majored in psychology. She held a master’s degree in public health from California Baptist University and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California Riverside.

Dr. Stokes-Thomas joined the faculty at California State University, Fullerton as a full-time lecturer in African American studies and psychology in 1995. She helped launch the university’s department of African American studies. She served as Afro-Ethnic Studies Advisory chair and a member of the “Ad Hoc Committee to Establish a Division of Ethnic Studies.” Before teaching at Cal State Fullerton, Dr. Stokes-Thomas taught at the Univerity of California, Riverside, California State University, San Bernardino, and California State University, Long Beach.

Named an assistant professor of African American studies in 1997, Dr. Stokes-Thomas taught such courses as History of Racism, Race and Relationships, Black Psychology, Black Families in America, and Learning and Memory for the next 18 years. She received the title professor emerita of African American studies in 2013 and retired in 2015.