1693-2025 - BLACK VOTE MATTERS,
All Throughout Our History - BLACK LIFE MATTERS
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Our Leadership Speaks
-------WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO NEGRO ELECTION DAY STATE HOLIDAY AND THE BLACK COMMUNITIES’ LEGACY -----
As People around Massachusetts award me, the title of, One of Massachusetts Top Black Leaders, through MassLive, the city of Salem, Massachusetts is on a mission to destroy the black leadership in Salem, this 284-year-old history or both.
Not that they will succeed, but they are fighting to make Salem United, Inc. bid on a contract to maintain the annual festival; but their own 2016 Minutes state, Salem United Inc. is the official organizers of the festival. The city themselves admits in this 2016 document, there has not been an organizing body in the past; which verifies the city was not the organizing body of the festival. Salem United, Inc. was never paid for their services and never had to bid to become the organizers of the festival. No city owns a State Holiday and has no control over something that is State run. The only recourse the city of Salem has is to say, the event cannot be on the historical grounds of Salem Willows, even though it is listed as a historical landmark, locally, Statewide and National. Why after 9 years of building a legacy for the black community does the city of Salem want to dismantle Negro Election Day holiday from its official organizers: Is it money because Salem United, Inc does not make a profit. We are a one-day event, we do not make money as the month-long Halloween events.
Since 2016, Salem United has been financially responsible for the cost of the festival, until 2024; when the mayor of the city denied Salem United from obtaining financial compensation or they would prioritize the event. Even though Salem United, knew something was not legal, they complied to their demands. Yet, even though Salem United complied, they mayor, the chief of staff and members of the city council began to harass and intimidate me, while threatening to deny me the right to keep the festival in the hands of the black community where it has been for 284 years.
The City of Salem uses revenge tactics to harm the Black Community and it is so evident by their intimidating and harassing tactics. During a Juneteenth celebration, I was harassed by a member of the city who holds a high position. It was embarrassing and humiliating.
Imagine, it is a celebration of the end of slavery, and a white woman begins telling a black woman she is bought; bought and owned by a white man in 2024. The fact that this woman felt it was okay to even suggest, I, Doreen Wade, a black woman who is a descendant of slaves, both African and Indian, was being bought by a white man, on any day, is an insult to my intelligence, but to say it on that day.
Freedom of speech is one thing, but when an official in the city uses this racist speech to intimidation and cause fear, this is an over reach of power. We have a law now, not to use behavior coercion on a person, will this person be held to those same standards or are the laws going to continue to be inequitable for black people.
This type of harassment can eventually lead to the city pushing me out, so I will not return. This is the way Negro Election Day (then called Black Picnic) was stopped before. And we can say, it never stopped. Well, in a way it did; we lost all our activities and most importantly, many people stopped coming together as a community at Salem Willows. Black people were harassed when they came into Salem and felt unwelcomed.
Are you willing to let it happen again?
Doreen Wade, President
Massachusetts Black Leaders 2024
Congratulations!
Doreen Wade, President of Salem United, has been named a Massachusetts leader in the Black and African American community based on nominations from the readers of MassLive. We are spotlighting nominees with Professional photos and profiles published in the coming month in recognition of Juneteenth.
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!
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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.
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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.
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Who We Are!
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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 1639:
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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