SALEM UNITED - BLACK PICNIC DAY FORMERLY NEGRO ELECTION DAY

PRESERVE PROTECT BUILD

Salem United is devoting its energy to preserving Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day, a 279 year celebration. The day's origin is "The First Black Voting System" in the country and we hope to honor that history with voter registration.

Salem United hopes to keep the event in its historical significant while joining with Organizations and Businesses to have families throughout Massachusetts involved. We would also like to use to the day to show positive images of Black America.

WHO WE ARE

It Starts With Wanting To Make A Contribution

      Salem United is a non-profit organization established June 19, 2015. We foster maturity in economics, politics, culture, sports, arts and academics; through its diverse communities, encouraging everyone to work together as one.
     The Board came together, to preserve Black Picnic Day formally known as Negro Election Day joining individuals, organizations and companies in bettering our communities.
        When Salem United speaks of "Black” it is a term used to show unity amongst those that identify with their African roots. When we say "Black" it's not "anti-" any specific race. The African Diaspora consists of a worldwide collection of communities and nations, which are decedents from Africa, predominantly in Latin America. The largest African Diaspora populations are Brazil, United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Colombia. The slave trade disrupted individual cultures and tribes that were in Africa and forced them to create many new unique, yet loosely connected, cultures in the new world. What sprang out of that tragedy was a new nation and culture of African descent, which demonstrated to the world the resiliency of humans. The sacrifice of African Americans allowed others of the African Diaspora to strive in America such as Afro-Latinos and West Indians.

Salem United’s goal for Black Picnic Day formally known as Negro Election Day is to continue a commitment maintaining the historical significance of the Black Picnic for all ages, with an emphasis on its family values

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BLACK PICNIC DAY FORMERLY NEGRO ELECTION DAY PARADE.

We would love to have Organizations and Groups join us in honor of the day!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Join us in a Volunteer Opportunities.

Those who volunteer each year make a difference. Be part of that difference, Find out how to sign up today!

ABOUT US

Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day was a holiday for slaves in the 18th century New England, and usually included an “election” of a governor. In Salem, the slaves held their election in one of the fields around town, and spent the day eating, dancing, singing, and meeting relatives from surrounding communities.

Today Salem United works to maintains that same day in the same location with eating, dancing, signing and reunions. Re-establishing its centuries old parade and bring positive image of Black America to our community.

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A LOOK BACK THROUGH THE YEARS

Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day

Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day is a family event held annually on the 3rd

Saturday in July at Salem Willows Park. Its present location is in its historical location dating back to the date of it being built.
In the early 20th century, the “Colored People’s Picnic” had church choirs performing, and track and field events were held. Dances were held with wonderful jazz performers, such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.

During World War II, the picnic was switched to the third Saturday of July because Black American’s were working in factories and defense plants and weekends were the only option. Churches began to take a less active role after World War II.

The name the “Colored People’s Picnic” was changed in the 1968, due to the civil rights movement. Black Power was recognized and people refused to be called “Colored”, so the picnic was renamed the “Black Picnic”. In 1990’s the Black Picnic Day brought larger crowds, corporate sponsors and much more.

In the 2000’s Black-Americans with roots from the North Shore and Boston still come from all over the United States to Salem Willows Park for an annual family-centric picnic on the third Saturday of July.

2015, Governor Charlie Baker of
(Massachusetts recognized the “Black Picnic Day” as a Historical Event and signed a Historical Decree. A non-profit Organization, ”Salem United”, has been established to preserve and restore the picnic to its origin. Black Picnic Day formally known as Negro Election Day in the City of Salem. Its activities which have ranged from church choirs, amusement rides, food, basketball tournaments and more which Salem United will try to preserve and restore to its origin.

in 2020 we hope to celebrate as a State Holday

OUR VISION AND MISSION

Preserve Protect Build

Salem United fosters a commitment to Preserve and Protect the historical significance and annual tradition of Black Picnic Day formerly, Negro Election Day with an emphasis on self-identity and family values by putting forth our history in an effort to Build lasting unity amongst our communities, elderly, and youth.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Salem United is a non-profit organization and shall operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code. Salem United’s purpose is to Preserve and Protect Black Picnic Day formerly, Negro Election Day while unifying individuals, organizations, and companies in bettering our communities.

In our efforts to preserve this sacred day we set out to accomplish the following:

Increase participation in Voter Registration
Unite businesses and community members in exploring and embracing the historical significance our community fosters as the origin of “The First Black Voting System”
Provide a current and positive image of Black America.

BOARD TEAM EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

DOREEN WADE

President

Served office since 2015. Has spend the past 3 years dedicating her time to protecting Black Picnic Day formally known as Negro Election Day and bringing as much of the community together as she can.

NEIL SICARD

Vice President

Neil will be serving in this position for the first time. He took on a strong role in 2018 and was named Vice-President in August 2018. Welcome and Good luck

BOARD TEAM EXECUTIVE AND BOARD MEMBERS 2020-2022

A Team Working To Preseve Black History

Our team is dedicated to the mission of Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day . Get to know the people who make Salem United Inc. what it is. Our team is an unbelievable source of information and are dedicated to preserving and protecting while educating.