WHY SALEM UNITED, INC EXISTS

THE EVOLUTION OF THE FIRST BLACK VOTING SYSTEM
Negro Election Day
18th Century
Blacks from Massachusetts organized to vote for a black governor/King acting as a liaison between white and black relations held on the Lynn MA side of the Saugus Rive until moving to Salem Willows Park 1885.
Early 20th Century
Negro Election Day was called The Colored People’s Picnic held track and field events and church choirs. Dances were held with jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.
World War II
The event was now hosted by the Churches and called the Church Picnic until moved backed to Saturday of July to accommodate those who worked in the factors and defense plants.
Civil Rights Movement
In 1968, during the Civil Rights Movement, the name was changed to Black Picnic from the strength of self-identity by The Black Power movement.
Late 20th Century
90’s and early 2000’s Black Picnic Day brought larger crowds, corporate sponsors and more. Negro Election Day was placed in the National Historical Registry. A Bill for a State Holiday was processed.
Today
2015 preserved by Salem United, recognized by Senators, the Governor and Mayors to return to its origin. 2021 will be its 280th celebration.
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2021 NEGRO ELECTION DAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
280th Year
After 6 years of a struggle to Preserve, Protect and Build this wonderful history and with todays climate we want to bring positive images to our Black and Commmunites of Color. It just takes believing in the of what we are doing and wanting to make a contribution if only in joining our celebration.
Salem United is reaching out to encourage everyÂone from Businesses to grassroots Organizations to work together as one.
The Board came together for our mission and now we are steppping out to join individuals, organizations and companies.
Many communities have positive images, Salem United wants to bring those same positive images agross Massachsuetts to Salem Willows Park in Salem MA where we can show our contributions in America.
NEGRO ELECTION DAY PARADE 2021
SALEM HISTORIC DISTRICT SALEM WILLOWS PARK, SALEM, MA USA
Salem United 2021 theme: Bringing Positive Images To Our Community
Parade Set-Up Time @ 11:00-11:50 am Parade Start Time @ 12:00 noon.
This is a way for our communites of color, positive images and more. Help us to reach that goal. Lets show sports, graduates, and so much more as they march to the WIllows in a show of pride.
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GRAND MARSHALL
TBA
TBA Described
SALEM UNITED QUEEN
TBA
Contact Salem United To Nominate A Woman To be Queen
SALEM UNITED KING/BLACK GOVERNOR
TBA
Contact Salem United To Nominate A Woman To be Queen
EVENT ADDITION
Black American Heritage Flag Raising
The Black American Heritage flag was designed in 1967 by Melvin Charles and Gleason T. Jackson. According to the designers, "...the elements of the flag include the color black to represent pride and pigmentation and race; red, to remind us of the rich blood black men have shed for freedom, equality, justice and human dignity throughout the world; and gold, to represent intellect, prosperity, and peace. These colors are woven into a composition that juxtaposes the red and black in a set of three stripes: one black stripe centered between two red."
"Superimposed on the black stripe is a golden wreath of fig leaves. The cultivated fig is a native of Africa, and ranks as one of the most ancient of life-sustaining fruits. Centered within the golden wreath is a blunted Moorish boarding sword, symbol of leadership carried by the great Moorish leaders of the 8th century. The sword represents the strength and authority exhibited by a black culture that made many contributions to the world in mathematics, art, medicine, and physical science, heralding the contributions that black Americans would make in these and other fields."
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VENDORS
Promote yourself to the community
We would love to have dedicated Vendors

FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOR GATHERING
Save The Date: July 18, 2020
Families come out from all over Massachusetts and join in on this days celebration. Bring your grills and come cook out with us while enjoying the days festivities.

ENTERTAINMENT
Live Music And More
Perfect Example, Purpse and Style are our great live bands who give to us annually. Our attendees value the music that our groups bring to them and they love performing for us. We could not be as great without them.
Keep Checking for our full 2020 Schedule

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Acknowledge And Recognize Your Community
Salem United believes honoring those who work in the community is a big part of the days celebration. A lot has changed since 1741 but a lot still need to be done in the struggle for equality, justice, disparity and more. Without those in the community doing the work those changes would not be accomplished.
So we say thank you and continue to honor - today, tomorrow and in the future.
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Come out and see who we are honoring this 2019. Share in their celebration

BLACK PICNIC DAY T-SHIRTS
Available Now - Not All Sizes Remaining
Salem United -Shirts are available for sale and we will be adding more T-shirts for our 5th -year Anniversary . Help us raise funds by buying your T-Shirts early .
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SPEAKERS
Let Your Voice Be Heard In the Community
Part of our work is to disseminate information into the community. We can't do that without your hlep. So speakers are a very important part of our celebration. You are the experts and we want you to share by speaking to our crowds of few and of many.

VOTE VOTE VOTE - REGISTER AND VOTE
Vote Now - They Died For Our Voices To Be Heard
Negro Election Day - That was the first evidence of the first Black Voting System. Voting is the celebration of its origin. We have voter registration so you can be ready for 2020. Register today. Contact join us, its easy.
2020 NEGRO ELECTION DAY KNOWN AS BLACK PICNIC 279TH AND 5TH-YEAR CELEBRATION - SCHEDULE
Timeline
8:00 Park Opens
THEME: Bringing Positive Images To Our Community
Vendor Area: 10:00 – 10:30 a.m..
Vendors 5:30 p.m. Break Down
Kids Corner
Bouncy House – set up 10:00 a.m.
Sports Area
Basketball area: Set up by Stuart
*Note: Almost all Vendors are Community Based and will cater to uplifting, educating and empowering the low and minority communities
Parade Area:
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 Parade Participants
Meet and Greet
12:00 - 1:30 Black Picnic Day formerly Negro Election Day Parade
*Note: Parade Begins: Derby Street, National Parks Site, turns on to Memorial Drive
Parade Ends: Restaurant Avenue and Bay View Avenue
1:30 - 2:00 Black American Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony
Awards and Recognition Ceremony
*List of participates
1. National Parks Service
2. Young man at Root
Entertainment
Main Stage: Opens at 9:00 a.m.
Ends 7:00 p.m
Live Entertainment and Performances throughout the day
Throughout Park 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Family unity – grilling, give-aways- family fun