Dr. Selamawit D. Terrefe, a brilliant theorist, celebrated scholar, devoted mentor, friend, yogi, and loving wife, passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loved ones on November 2, 2024, after a courageous battle with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. She was 53 years old.

 

Dr. Terrefe was an Assistant Professor of African American literature and culture at Tulane University and the 2022–2024 Williams College Faculty Fellow. Widely regarded as one of the brightest minds of her generation, her groundbreaking research on the global phenomenon of antiblack violence transformed academic discourse and earned her international acclaim. Her work was a call to action—profoundly illuminating and vital in the struggle for truth.

 

Selamawit’s radical scholarship reflected her revolutionary spirit, which she embodied in every aspect of her life. Whether in her classroom, through her activism, or in her everyday actions, she was a force for transformative change. Her work and way of being challenged those around her to embrace their own radical authenticity.

 

As a mentor, Dr. Terrefe changed the lives of her students through her wisdom, care, and unwavering commitment to confronting and dismantling systemic racism and oppression. Her students often described her not only as a professor but as a guiding force who profoundly influenced their lives and futures. Through her writing and speaking engagements, she motivated countless others. She was determined that her work would be her voice, continuing to inspire and impact the world even after her physical presence was no longer with us.

 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Selamawit was a cherished and loyal friend, comrade, and confidant. She will be remembered for her infectious sense of humor, larger-than-life energy, and unparalleled warmth. Her laughter could light up a room, and her unwavering loyalty was a gift to all who knew her.

 

The last two years of Selamawit’s life were marked by an extraordinary love story. Though they were friends first, she and her wife, Tinora Locke Terrefe, fell in love and had their first date just a month before Selamawit’s diagnosis. They married shortly thereafter, embarking on an incredible journey together. Selamawit often shared how they had not spent a night apart since Tinora flew from Iceland to be with her during her initial hospitalization.

 

Despite being given only one year to live, Selamawit defied the odds, filling their time with love, adventure, and achievement. Together, they traveled across the U.S. and to five countries—swimming with sea turtles, savoring sunsets, and cherishing every moment. Selamawit would often describe their love as “a miracle connection so profound that it transcends lifetimes.”

 

During this time, while undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Selamawit remained dedicated not to her job, but to her passion. She published four articles, delivered five talks (including two international lectures), and completed two forthcoming works. Her long-awaited first book will cement her legacy as a leading thinker and scholar.

 

A memorial service to honor her life will be held in the spring of 2025 at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, the place where she and Tinora were married. The date will be announced on her website.

 

Dr. Terrefe’s extraordinary legacy will endure through her scholarship, her students, friends, family, and the countless lives she transformed with her insight, love, and generosity. She is deeply loved and will be unimaginably missed as she takes her place among the ancestors. Her wisdom continues to guide those who carry her lessons, and her spirit will forever be felt, urging us all to seek deeper truths and to remember to take time to play in the snow.