Amelia Blakely
Public Historian
Email:
Location:
Detroit, Michigan
Education:
B.A. - Philosophy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, May 2020
B.S. - Journalism, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, May 2020
M.A. - History, specializing in Public History, Middle Tennessee State University, August 2026
2018 - 2020
WSIU Public Radio
News Reporter
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Produced and edited daily news reports for on-air and online.
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Presented coverage of breaking news and special events to viewers from on-site locations.
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Reviewed feedback from editor and completed revisions for approval.
2018 - 2024
Gateway Journalism Review
Contributing Writer and Editor
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Published in-depth, compelling stories covering a range of topics, including the health of local newspapers, Fake News, race in the Midwest, and the political climate of reporting in the Trump era.
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Researched and edited articles.
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Collaborated with editors and communities to produce high-quality journalism in local news deserts.
September 2020 - December 2020
United States Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
State Communications Intern
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Drafted and edited social media posts, press releases, and advisories with the communications team to inform constituents about the Senator’s work.
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Prepared daily briefings sent to the entire office, including the Senator, that highlighted media clips of her and the important news to know.
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Answered phone calls and messages from constituents and assisted the Carbondale office with outreach and casework.
June 2021 - May 2023
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Community Outreach Representative
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Mastered knowledge of federal and state financial aid.
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Advised rural high school students in career development and college planning.
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Presented accessible information to families and their students in presentations and workshops.
October 2023 - July 2026
Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation
Graduate Research Assistant
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Conducted in-depth research on rural properties in Middle Tennessee using archives in state libraries and county deeds offices.
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Prepared preservation assessments, nominations for the National Register of Historic Places, historic structure reports, and historic interpretation plans.
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Developed and designed exhibit panels for MTSU's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center with Adobe Illustrator.
2017 - 2018
The Daily Egyptian
Reporter and Editor
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Produced and edited daily news and entertainment reports.
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Updated the organization’s social media and website pages with breaking news stories to keep the audience engaged.
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Developed connections with public relations contacts, which provided exemplary sources for news stories.
July 2026 - Present
May 2025 - December 2026
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Graduate Academic Affairs Fellow
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Contributed to the agency’s revision of academic program approval policies following recent legislative changes through researching contexts and parameters across seven states and authoring policy briefs.
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Developed interview questions and protocol.
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Solicited and facilitated interviews with higher education agencies in other states.
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Supported the work of the entire bureau through participating in convenings with higher education stakeholders, attending site visits for new programming, and providing technical support.
Littlefish Design
Public Historian
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Collaborated with designers, Wayne County Parks staff, and museum partners in developing interpretation for the Middle Rouge River Heritage Trail.
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Fact-checked, researched, and revised interpretation covering the history of Wayne County's settlement, the Rouge River and its impoundments, Edward Hines Drive, Arab American immigration to southeast Michigan, Henry Ford's Village Industries, the Underground Railroad, indigenous history in southeast Michigan, the area's natural history, bicycling, and World War II mobilization in Metropolitan Detroit.
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Processed archival materials including photographs and engineering documents.
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Utilized professional judgment to develop an archival management plan to digitize photo archives for future public access for Wayne County Parks.
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Scanned and organized archival photographs to use as production-ready art for the interpretation on the Middle Rouge River Heritage Trail.