1740-2024 - BLACK VOTE MATTERS,
1400 - 2024 - BLACK HISTORY MATTERS
1740 - 2024 BLACK RIGHTS MATTER
All Throughout Our History - BLACK LIFE MATTERS
Our Our Leadership Speaks
-------WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO NEGRO ELECTION DAY STATE HOLIDAY AND THE BLACK COMMUNITIES’ LEGACY -----
Salem United, Inc. has been a major factor in bringing the story of Negro Election Day to life and reviving its historical significance. As we progress closer to the 284th celebrate, and as we honor our military, especially our Military of Color through our Negro Election Day parade, we are now dealing with the dismantling of our Festival and Parade.
Regardless of its State Holiday status and its placement in the National Historical Registry, Negro Election Day is in jeopardy of being demolished. The city of Salem denied Salem United, Inc. the hosts of the event since 2015 the right to raise funds, or charge vendors.
The destruction of Black History in Salem Massachusetts began with Black History Month, as the city used their governmental power to disassemble the planned culture events in progress and insert their own adaptation of what Black Culture is, and what Black History Month represents.
Now their work is being duplicated through the use of governmental power to make sure funding is not channeled to Salem United, guaranteeing the State Holiday’s elimination.
So now, months before the event is scheduled to materialize, we are left with no funds to pay our entertainment, host our dignitaries or pay our bills. This was an intentional act by Mayor Dominick Pangallo of Salem of Massachusetts and we ask why? We are to believe the Democratic party is not a part of the cancel culture, but Mayor Pangallo proved that to be wrong. Now we must begin a campaign to Save Negro Election Day and we ask for your help. If you can come up with ideas on what steps are next, if we can find a way for our community to help with funds, if we can find ways to get sponsors and donations, please let us know. And inform people that all donations can be sent to:
Salem United, Inc., P.O. Box 230784, Boston, MA 02123 or contact us at: 781-502-5512
If also ask you to write the governor and the Lt. Governor.
They are the leaders of the State of Massachusetts and should be protecting this important cultural history.
Office of the Governor Office of the Lt. Governor
Governor Maura Healey Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
Massachusetts State House Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 280 24 Beacon Street, Room 280
Boston, MA 02133 Boston, MA 02133
Tell them to protect a history which Members of the Senator, Members of the House, Governor Charlie Baker, League of Women Voters, National Parks Service and so many others worked hard to help Salem United accomplish.
There can’t be selected exclusion in a city obtaining State funding and not equitably distributing it so as to eliminate those cultures that are not accepted by the city officials.
Doreen Wade, President
OUR BRAND/HOW WE GOT OUR NAME
Even though Negro Election Day's history began in Saugus Massachusetts in 1741, the Day was celebrated in various locations throughout Massachusetts toward the late 1700's.
One location that was known throughout the world was the Negro Election Day celebration, often hosted by Prince Hall of the Masonic Lodge in Boston on the Boston Common.
After Blacks were being judged by white men for having too much power, the Massachusetts legislatures enacted a law denying Black people the right to gather on the Boston Common, in Boston MA.
This led to the merging of Negro Election Day to Salem Willows Park, Salem MA.
When we were asked to take over the management of Negro Election Day, 2015, we looked at the history of the day and realized, since we all UNITE in Salem MA at Salem Willows Park from all over Massachusetts and beyond we should name ourselves,
"SALEM UNITED."
In understanding our history we should understand, even though this celebration is held in Salem Massachusetts, it is for all, from Cape Code, through Boston to Pittsfield, Massachusetts!
WHO WE ARE
To Learn Who We Are And What We Do. It Starts With Us Working Together As One.
Wanting To Make A Contribution Of Support!
About Us!
When Salem United, Inc. says our missions is to preserve, protect and build black history and build community engagement we use the term “Black” to show unity amongst those that identify with their African roots.
The African Diaspora of worldwide collection of communities and nations, made up of Brazil, United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Colombia.
A new nation and culture of African descents emerged from tragedy and Negro Election Day is one of those cultures. So, I work to unify us in the African Diaspora through unity, pride and cultural truth.
Who We Are!
Salem United, Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization established June 2020. Our history was enacted into Law through Bill S.2703 as a Massachusetts State Holiday and we come together to celebrate the voting work of enslaved men from 1740:
- EDUCATE, LEARN & APPLY
- SHARE OUR LEGACY TO UNITE
Motto: Roots & Wings
Mission: Preserve, Protect and Build.
Preserve its History
Protect its Tradition
Build its Customs and Social Awareness
ORGANIZATION
Salem United, Inc. is a non-profit organization that preserves, protects and builds black history but it is a very important goal that believes in diversity and inclusion. Our board is very diverse as we believe that Black History is American History.
For our events, we believe that all should feel a included. We want our young people to feel even though the event is 283rd years old, they will see themselves in the day.
SALEM UNITED, INC STRUCTURE
Our Structure is broken into 3 Divisions
DIVISION 1: Lorraine Wade Division
A. Board of Directors, Officers
This is where the Executive work is done. All Board Officers take an extensive role in the rules and procedures of the Organization and deal with the work of the Corporation.
Salem United, Inc Director Doreen Wade works with the 5 Executive Officers and members monthly.
B. Youth Division Board
This is where the Youth work is done. It will be headed by Monieke McNeil, Celeste Hamilton, Anyfer Gonzalez and Terrell Greene who will take the role in the rules and procedures of the youth Organization. Salem United, Inc. will give the young people in Massachusetts a voice and a roll in preservation of its history, civic activism in their communities and a place to make a mark in tomorrow's voting laws.
C. Design Division Coalition
This is where the Museum design work is done. It will be headed by Mary Richards and Alick M McLean who will take the role in the design development of the Black Heritage Center & Museum. Salem United, inc. will give Massachusetts a place to learn and a resource building to house hidden Black History.
DIVISION 2: Pompey Mansfield Division
Membership and Membership Development
Membership is $30.00 for the year.
DIVISION 3: George Peabody Division
Salem United, Inc has broken 4 Programs of Development. This is where our committees work begins and ends.
Committees and Development Programs
Program 1: Negro Election Day State Holiday& Black Preservation
Program 2: Workshops & Health Care, Voting, U.S Census & Civil
Rights & Reform, Civil Service Exam, Registration & Education
Program 3: Black Heritage Center & Museum
Exhibitions & Tours
Program 4: Events, Gala and Entertainment
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS, COLLABORATORS AND COALITIONS
Media:
N.E. Informer Newsmagazine
Partnerships, Collaborations, Coalitions
LIAISONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
John Burke, Salem Police Dept. Rep
Gina Flynn, Eastern Bank
Susan Russo, National Parks Service
COLABORATIONS AND COALITIONS
League of Women Voters Salem MA
Salem State University
Salem Superintendent of Schools
City of Salem, Arts and Cultural Division
North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Salem African American Tours Group, Inc
Epoch Preservation
Registry of Deeds
POLITICAL SPONSORS
U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton
State Rep. Manny Cruz
Senator Joan Lovely
Essex County D.A. Paul F. Tucker
Massachusetts Senator Brendan P. Crighton
Representative Bud L. Williams