Black Greek Week Martha's Vineyard 2023 (2024)

FAQs

What percentage of the population is black in Martha's Vineyard? ›

Martha's Vineyard always was, and still is, a mostly White community— the population was 5,341 according to the 2020 United States Census, and only 12 percent of the population comprises people of color; even in Oak Bluffs, less than five percent of the population is Black.

After the economy shifted towards more efficient forms of energy, Martha's Vineyard was reborn as a vacation destination. And since Massachusetts was one of the first states to abolish slavery, the state served as one of the safer places for free Black folks to find their fortunes in a rapidly changing society.

By the mid-1950s Oak Bluffs had become a full-blown Black resort, drawing guests from all over the country. The town beach acquired the nickname “Inkwell” or “Inkwell Beach,” which may have started as a derogatory epithet but was later reclaimed by African American residents.

Martha's Vineyard Events

Legacy Week on the Vineyard was created to engage, empower, and highlight the bond and value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

Nearly 50 Millionaires on Martha's Vineyard: Data | Martha's Vineyard, MA Patch.

Our History With Martha's Vineyard Oak Bluffs and How It Became the Black Summer Mecca. Kids pictured on Oak Bluffs beach. Image: courtesy of Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism. Oak Bluffs comes alive each summer as thousands of Black people descend upon the town as a sanctuary for relaxation and fun.

In recent years, Martha's Vineyard was given the nickname of “The Black Hamptons,” due to its popularity as a place for wealthy African-Americans to vacation.

The beach they came to enjoy was known as the Inkwell, either as a pejorative name coined by white residents describing the skin color of the beachgoers or as a nod to the ink in the pens of the writers and thinkers who frequented the rocky sands, including black writers of the Harlem Renaissance.

What questions to ask for Black History Month? ›

Islanders/Vineyarders

A person is considered a potential Islander if he/she/they was born, lives, works, visits, or is connected with the Island.

Understanding that not everyone has the luxury of time, you can very easily spent to 2-3 days on Martha's Vineyard and still get a sense of the land, culture, people and experience, all the while visiting iconic stops as outlined below.

You should plan to spend around $241 per day on your vacation in Martha's Vineyard. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average for one day: $60 on meals.

Take Advantage of Off-Season Deals in Winter.

Many places are closed from mid-January until early April, but there can still be some fun activities that one might take advantage of such as lighthouse tours, cabin stays and whale watching.

Throughout the history of Martha's Vineyard, diversity has been the key component that defines the island's off-season cultural identity—from the landmark deaf communities of the past to the increasing Brazilian presence today.

Martha's Vineyard, often simply called the Vineyard, is an island in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, lying just south of Cape Cod. It is known for being a popular, affluent summer colony, and includes the smaller peninsula Chappaquiddick Island.

A new report lays out in stark terms just how many low- and middle-income folks are being forced to move away from Martha's Vineyard as its popularity with wealthy vacationers soars, causing the year-round population of 20,000 to swell up to tenfold over summer.

Martha's Vineyard is steeped in history and culture, from the iconic lighthouses to the quaint gazebos of Edgartown to the soaring spire of Old Whaling Church. There's something magical about exploring these sites and immersing yourself in centuries-old stories.