SALEM — Salem State University alumnus Shawn Newton was recently named the recipient of the Salem State University Alumni Association’s Charlotte Forten Legacy Award.
“Charlotte Forten was Salem State’s first African-American graduate,” Newton said. “To be remotely discussed or affiliated with her is truly humbling and such an honor.”
The 1996 graduate is the co-founder of the Newton Consultancy Group, which offers professional consulting services aimed at understanding and dismantling systemic racism.
“Racism was created by people, and I truly believe that it can end by the will of the people ― meaning each of us,” he said. “I believe that Salem can be a benchmark for communities across the nation to look toward for how to lay a foundation that addresses racial equity gaps. I am truly grateful to all of the members of the (Salem Race Equity) Task Force, who met regularly in this effort for over a year, determined to make one of the biggest contributions of their lives. Because of their collective and collegial work, I have come closer to understanding how racism impacts each and every one of us.”
Newton also recently served as chair of Salem’s Race Equity Task Force. The task force is charged with studying key sectors of the community to identify systemic and institutional racial inequities and, to the best of their ability, recommend potential strategies to help overcome those disparities.
“Shawn has made it his life’s work to better the lives of others,” said Salem State Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Mike Mitchell. “In addition to his many gifts as a student affairs practitioner, Shawn is the kind of once-in-a-generation person who can work with, and relate to, anyone.”
The Charlotte Forten Legacy Award is presented to groups or individuals who best exemplify a legacy of commitment to the mission and purpose of Salem State University. This year is the second occasion that the award has been handed out, as the class of 1954 was honored in 2019.
