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My Blog


Unlocking the Past: Research Tips for Engaging History Reads
History has a unique way of transporting us to different eras, allowing us to experience the trials, triumphs, and tales of those who...
A. Carter
Sep 14, 20243 min read


Happy 4th! Remembering Why Independence Day is Independence Day.
Have we lost the true meaning of independence?
A. Carter
Jul 4, 20243 min read


Booker T. Washington Memorial Hospital (Part 3 of 3: Saving Black Lives in Pittsburgh)
First, I appreciate your patience with the lengthy delay. Life sometimes gets in the way of a good story! As always, this is my own,...
A. Carter
Mar 8, 20245 min read


Saving Black Lives in Gilded Age Pittsburgh (Part 2 of 3): Livingstone Memorial Hospital
Around the time that Lincoln Memorial Hospital closed its doors, the idea for a new Colored hospital in the Greater Pittsburgh region...
A. Carter
May 26, 20236 min read


Saving Black Lives in Gilded Age Pittsburgh (Part 1 of 3): Lincoln Memorial Hospital
*Disclaimer: I independently conducted all research utilizing sources listed throughout the post.* For this post, I was going to focus on...
A. Carter
Mar 19, 20233 min read


Samuel A. Neale- Gilded Age Renaissance Man
*Disclaimer: All research conducted independently by Alonna Carter-Donaldson" Samuel A. Neale was born in Frederick, Maryland to Samuel...
A. Carter
Feb 2, 20236 min read


Sadie Hamilton-Cottam: Black and Gilded Trailblazer from Pittsburgh's Hill District
*Disclaimer: All research presented in the article was conducted independently by me and was featured in my paper Black Women: Education...
A. Carter
Jan 19, 20235 min read


Introducing the Black and Gilded Series!
Singing: Uh huh, you know what it is: Black and Gilded, Black and Gilded, Black and Gilded... Ok, I'll stop! I am pleased to announce...
A. Carter
Jan 4, 20231 min read


Black and Gilded: Mathilda M. Ware
The story of Mathilda Ware, one of Pittsburgh's first Black woman teachers.
A. Carter
Jan 4, 20235 min read


Respecting Your Research
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of presenting at the Pennsylvania Historical Association's Annual Meeting. I shared my research in a...
A. Carter
Oct 25, 20222 min read


African Americans in the Gilded Age: New Beginnings and New Challenges
African American history is usually taught in the form of a triad: Slavery, The Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement; however,...
A. Carter
Jul 4, 20222 min read


Introducing Alonna Carter-Donaldson
So a thing happened and you probably can guess... I got married on May 21st! In proper historian mode, my husband and I decided to have a...
A. Carter
May 31, 20221 min read


Welcome! This has been a Long Time Coming...
If you've landed here, thank you! Your presence is a blessing as I move forward in my career as both a Public Historian and Freelance...
A. Carter
Mar 1, 20222 min read


Tips for Reading Challenging Material
If you are a student or a professional in the field, we all know that there's tons of reading involved! You may ask yourself: how do I...
A. Carter
Sep 9, 20212 min read
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