Tristan Cabello

At Johns Hopkins, Tristan Cabello is the Associate Program Director and a senior lecturer for the Master of Liberal Arts program. A historian specializing in 20th-century United States, his research focuses on three interconnected areas: American political culture, the history of minorities, and popular culture.

Cabello’s work in American political culture investigates the evolution of progressive politics, with particular attention to the left, social movements, and the Democratic Party. His research explores how grassroots activism and institutional strategies have shaped policy and public opinion. By examining the tensions and synergies within the Democratic Party, he provides insights into the broader implications of these dynamics for social and political change.

As a specialist in African American history, Black queer history, and LGBTQ+ narratives, Cabello highlights the lived experiences and contributions of marginalized groups. His forthcoming book, Queer Bronzeville: Race, Sexuality, and Urban Boundaries in Chicago, 1900–1985, underscores his dedication to examining the intersections of race, sexuality, and urban history. A committed advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, he has chaired DEI committees at Johns Hopkins and American University. Tristan also designed a Coursera course on Black Lives Matter, which has been attended by over 5,000 students.

Cabello’s research into popular culture focuses on African American music and its transformative cultural impact throughout the 20th century. He explores how genres such as jazz, blues, and hip-hop have served as platforms for resistance, identity formation, and social commentary.

Widely recognized for his expertise, Cabello has received numerous awards, including research fellowships from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the OutHistory Award, the Esteem Award for Outstanding Feature Article, and the Best Scholar Award by the Association for Graduate Liberal Arts Studies Programs. He has delivered over 50 papers at prestigious conferences and presented lectures at leading institutions such as Rutgers University, the City University of New York, and the University of Chicago. The American and French mainstream media (The Huffington Post, The Windy City Times, France Info TV, France 24) has featured his political commentary.

Cabello’s publications include entries in The Global Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History, The International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest, and The Encyclopedia of Blacks in European History and Culture. He has also advised the National Park Service for its Stonewall National Monument and the Mayoral African American Cultural Heritage Initiative Committee in Chicago for its promotion of Black queer culture.

Born and raised in France, Cabello holds a BA and MA in American Studies from the University of Strasbourg (France) and an MA and PhD in American History from Northwestern University. A bilingual scholar, he brings a global perspective to his work.

Awards

• The AGLSP Annual Faculty Award, The Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs, 2022
• Esteem Award for Feature Article, The Esteem Awards, 2012

Featured Works

• “Queer Bronzeville: A Short History of Black Queer Chicago and AIDS Activism, 1920-1985,” Tristan Cabello, The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, February 2, 2021
• “The History and Impact of African Americans in Paris after WWI,” Tristan Cabello, FrancoFiles, The Embassy of France in the United States, January 28, 2019
• “Queer Bronzeville: African American LGBTs on South Side, 1900-1985,” Tristan Cabello, The Windy City Times, March 28, 2012
• “Queer Bronzeville: African American LGBTs on Chicago’s South Side, 1920-1940,” Tristan Cabello, Huffington Post, March 3, 2012
• “Queer Bronzeville, 1900-1985,” Tristan Cabello, Outhistory, January 1, 2008

Mentions

• Will it move the needle? Harris and Trump trade blows in testy debate, France 24 – English, September 10, 2024
• Battle of the sexes? The widening gender divide in US politics, France 24 – English, January 23, 2024
• Black queer history IS Black history, Chicago Sun Times, January 8, 2022