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 every­one 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.   

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