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Shawn Newton ’96, of Salem, has been named the 2021 recipient of the ����ֱ�� Alumni Association’s Charlotte Forten Legacy Award. 

Co-Founder and CEO of Newton Consultancy Group (NCG), Newton offers a portfolio of professional consulting services aimed at understanding and dismantling systemic racism that include professional coaching, higher education-student affairs leadership, and providing learning opportunities. Newton is married to co-founder Michelle Frederick-Newton ’97, ’03G who focuses on clinical supervision, training, personal coaching, and psychotherapy services as a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW). 

Prior to the founding of NCG, Newton dedicated nearly three decades to the field of higher education and student affairs, most recently as associate dean of students at Suffolk University, while maintaining an adjunct faculty position in the Sawyer Business School.

In addition to his many years of professional experience, Newton recently served as chair of the City of Salem’s Race Equity Task Force, which was charged with a comprehensive review of city policies, services and ordinances for the presence of racial inequities.

“Charlotte Forten was Salem State’s first African-American graduate. To be remotely discussed or affiliated with her is truly humbling and such an honor,” said Newton.

According to Mike Mitchell ’07, assistant director for alumni relations at Salem State, “Shawn has made it his life’s work to better the lives of others. 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. His impact is immeasurable, and he is beyond deserving of this recognition.” 

Established in 2019, the Charlotte Forten Legacy Award is presented to groups or individuals who best exemplify a legacy of commitment to the mission and purpose of ����ֱ��. To learn more about the Alumni Association or to nominate a graduate for an award, please visit salemstate.edu/alumni/awards.