Children of Don Alonzo was founded to meet a rising need: to understand how Black Americans came to be in the Americas—not just in general terms, but through intimate, personalized, and historically grounded connections. Many Black Americans seek more than a broad overview of the Transatlantic Slave Trade—they seek specific truths, ancestral paths, and deeper context around the systems that shaped their origins.
We specialize in connecting Black American families and individuals with the rich, often obscured histories tied to the Transatlantic, Trans-Saharan, and Barbary Coast slave trades, as well as the complex formation of the United States. Our goal is to make historical knowledge accessible, accurate, and empowering.
Expert instruction in historical and genealogical research
Customized research strategies and verification of records
Access to historical data typically out of reach for underrepresented communities
Interpretation and preservation of family, cultural, and community histories
Individual and Group consultations
As historical consultants, we are committed to serving those whose stories have been silenced or fragmented. We work especially with communities traditionally excluded from academic and archival spaces due to financial or systemic barriers.
Children of Don Alonzo is more than a service—it's a movement toward historical wholeness.
Founder & Director
Arena is a storyteller—a griotte, a Jalimuso—grounded in the oral traditions passed down from her mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. She believes the most meaningful knowledge she carries was not found in books or classrooms, but at kitchen tables, on porches, and in the everyday rhythms of ancestral life. "My family taught me how to listen deeply, how to hold memory with reverence, and how to speak truth with love".
While she honors the institutions that sharpened her research and craft, it is the teachings of her elders that guide her path. "I carry both with me—ancestral memory and academic inquiry—as I work to recover stories too often left out or pushed aside".
Arena is the author of Children of Don Alonzo, and her forthcoming historical fiction novel brings to life the hidden histories that live beneath the surface of official records. Described by some as a gadfly, she asks difficult questions and keeps digging until the full story rises.
At the heart of her work is a love for humanity—a commitment to illuminating the lives, struggles, and contributions of all people, especially those whose voices have been disregarded. "My purpose is to remember, to honor, and to help others see what history tried to forget."
Historical Consultant & Research Specialist
With a sharp eye for detail and a deep passion for uncovering untold stories, Ashley is a seasoned historical consultant known for delivering accurate, richly contextualized insights. Drawing on a professional background in marketing, she combines rigorous research skills with compelling storytelling to support authors, filmmakers, museums, and educational projects. Whether tracing the roots of a forgotten community or verifying period-accurate details for a script, Ashley brings clarity, credibility, and creativity to every project.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.