Doreen Wade keeps history of ‘Negro Election Day’ alive

MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.

Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Doreen Wade

Age: 66

Community: Salem

Her story: Doreen Wade is the president and founder of Salem United Inc., where her mission is to “preserve, protect and build” Black history. In leading the nonprofit, Wade wears many hats, as an educator, historian, researcher, curator, and activist — mostly all focused on Negro Election Day history and the first Black voting system.

Wade traces Negro Election Day back to Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1639, where enslaved Africans engaged in joyous festival activities and democratically elected their own leaders. The occasion was celebrated in various locations throughout history, and today, it’s observed as a Massachusetts state holiday on the third Saturday of July.

As a child, Wade’s mother carried on the tradition by going to Salem Willows Park in Salem each year with neighbors, friends and family to commemorate Negro Election Day. Wade wouldn’t learn the meaning behind the yearly gathering until she was an adult, and the discovery would lead her to forming Salem United Inc.

Through her advocacy work, she has spoken about the holiday before the Massachusetts House and Senate, and successfully saw Gov. Charlie Baker sign a state proclamation for the holiday into law.

Wade has used her lifetime of career skills in finance, fundraising, and as an executive director and owner of an online magazine company to keep the story of Negro Election Day alive.

In her words: “You must go into this work with the mindset that ‘No weapons formed against me shall prosper,’ because as rewarding as this work is, it is not without pain…. Practice PERSISTENCE…. only confidence and persistence will get you through the hard days.”

We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.

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