Salem To Honor Charlotte Forten's Legacy With Grand Statue Unveiling

SALEM, MA — A recognition and celebration of one of the most significant Black figures in Salem's history will come to fruition after five years in the making with the unveiling of the life-sized statue of teacher and abolitionist Charlotte Forten in the park bearing her name next week.

The 5-foot-tall statue from artist Ai Qiu Hopen called "The Moving Spirit of Love" will be placed in the park at 289 Derby Street on Oct. 21 with a dedication ceremony on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. set to include a special program with local actress Samantha Searles sharing poems and stories as Forten herself.

"This bronze statue commemorating Charlotte Forten is historic in many ways," Salem Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Regina Zaragoza Frey said. "It marks Salem's first statue of a Black woman, celebrating her life, legacy, and the hope she inspires for the future.

"Seeing the clay model for the first time was breathtaking, and now witnessing its transformation into a permanent installation of a bronze sculpture is a significant moment in Salem's journey
toward racial equity."

The statue has been five years in the planning, design and creation with public input sought throughout the process.

"I'm so proud that Salem will soon unveil the sculpture of such a significant figure in our city and our nation's history," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "Celebrating Charlotte Forten Grimke's legacy through this public art installation reflects our shared value of education, equity, and the diversity of voices, stories, and lived experiences in our community.

"Through this exciting moment and lasting monument, we'll continue to tell the story of Salem and all of its chapters, including that of an important and influential woman who helped shape this community into the great place it is today."

Forten's writings will accompany the statue throughout November on a 128-foot, hand-printed banner created by Lynn-based artist Mitchel Ahern. The quotes he chose to highlight are from Forten's journals and showcase her work both as an abolitionist and as a teacher.

"Our city must continue to be a leader in elevating Black histories and voices, including through our public spaces and public art," Pangallo said.

Ai Qiu, who grew up in rural China, formed Humanity Memorial Inc., a team from diverse cultural backgrounds that "values inclusive design, infuses its art with universal love and hope, and is grounded in an ethos for peace and equality, beyond gender, race, age, culture, or generation."

A full schedule of dedication ceremony events will be released within the next few weeks leading up to the event.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)