Unmasking & Evolution of Negro Election Day and The Black Vote

A new cultural exhibition by Salem United, Inc. and its President, Doreen Wade opens May 28th at Hamilton Hall showcasing over 20 paintings, displays, and banners until August 29, 2021.

More information about the exhibition can be found at: salemunitedinc.org and hamiltonhall.org.

In the exhibition Unmasking & Evolution of Negro Election Day and The Black Vote, Salem United, Inc. and its president Doreen Wade demonstrate how the first black voting system evolved into the “Black Picnic Day” celebration that has been running for 281 years. They show how black self-governing started with West African slaves and how white America used voting suppression methods to constrain elections.

The exhibition shows the first Black King/Governor in Massachusetts in 1740, then gives names of those through New England who have earned the title and the relevance of their contributions.
Salem United, Inc. is an organization founded in 2015 by 3 black women, Lorraine and Doreen Wade (a mother and daughter) and Su Almeida. Its mission was not just to preserve this historical black history but to preserve, protect and build black history when needed. Ms. Wade has traced her family back to the 1600’s in Massachusetts and New England and took a powerful interest in preserving this monumental history. This is her first cultural exhibition.