Peggy Scott's character in "The Gilded Age" is based on real-life women like Julia C. Collins, highlighting the achievements of Black individuals during this era. The Black elite of the Gilded Age asserted their taste and education, signifying their equality to other citizens. Thomas Downing, an influential businessman, popularized oysters and established a renowned restaurant, while still facing citizenship barriers until the Civil Rights Act was enacted. Toussaint leveraged his success as a hairdresser to assist disadvantaged communities, and Mary Ellen Pleasant utilized her savvy to attain wealth and invest wisely, becoming a millionaire in the process.
The Black elite of the Gilded Age signaled that we, too, have taste. We too have education. We are like other citizens, said historian Carla Peterson.
Thomas Downing opened the upscale Thomas Downing Oyster House, so popular that he became known as 'the New York Oyster King'.
Mary Ellen Pleasant became a self-made millionaire and bought up boarding houses, laundromats, restaurants, and Wells Fargo shares.
Toussaint, a freed Haitian slave, became a sought-after hairdresser and supported orphans and immigrants with his wealth.
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