🖤 Inkwell's Legacy in 2025: Traditions That Celebrate Black Joy
Keeping Inkwell’s legacy alive through community, culture, and celebration
📜 The Legacy of Inkwell Beach
For generations, Black families have gathered in Oak Bluffs, creating a space of belonging in a world that often denies them one. The history here runs deep, carried forward by those who return year after year. In the past few years there have been new offerings being established by younger generations too.
If it’s your first visit, this guide will help you understand what makes Inkwell more than just a beach. I thought it was important to include a few powerful voices from leaders who share what these traditions mean to them.
Black travelers meet on this shoreline every summer, celebrating decades of traditions and belonging.
🏖️ The Inkwell Bucket List
Here are a few of the traditions that make Inkwell Beach special (both old and new):
🌊 Polar Bears Morning Swim: A daily sunrise swim in July and August where generations come together for movement and connection.
🧘🏾♂️ Sunrise Yoga on Inkwell: Group yoga sessions on the sand, mostly in July and August, offering a peaceful way to start the day.
🎶 Beach Party: A Juneteenth celebration with music, fashion, and a full beach takeover.
🍹 The Vineyard Legacy (July 4th Weekend, 2025): A weekend of Black culture and community with brunches, block parties, and social events.
🎓 Legacy Week Gatherings (July 27–August 2, 2025): HBCU alumni and professionals meet for networking, panels, and celebrations.
👨👩👧👦 The Annual Inkwell Family Reunion Weekend: Families return year after year to reconnect, relax, and keep traditions alive.
🌅 End-of-Summer Closing Ceremony: A final gathering to mark the season’s end and reflect before heading home.
🏛️ Mariposa Museum Exhibits & Talks: A space for Black storytelling, art, and history.
🎭 Black Art, Performance, Wellness and Activism Discussions & Seminars: Dates and times vary—keep an eye on MVacay Weekend Updates for new offerings each year.
📣 Voices: I am sorry to do this, however, I have to steal this phrase from my friend, Grammy nominated Keyon Harrold after he experienced Martha's Vineyard for the first time last year. He said "Martha's Vineyard is like a missing book of the Bible." I suppose that means, This place is so sacred, perhaps folks do not want the 'good word' to get out too much! I immediately understood him when he stated that comparison. Martha's Vineyard is a magical spiritual soulful experience. 'The Rock' welcomed me with open arms when I first set foot on it. 2012 was the year, when I was invited to Chair the Bison on the Vineyard signature event to usher in Howard University's 50th Anniversary of our National Alumni Association. After two consecutive years of convening, Legacy Week on the Vineyard aka HBCU Week on Martha's Vineyard was born. This gathering is a space for all HBCU alumni to relax, reconnect, and recharge. Whether you arrive with a group or as a solo traveler, you will definitely depart with new friends and fantastic memories. Martha's Vineyard is my 'Happy Place.' See you on the Vineyard. - Sheryl Wesley
🎟️ Annual Seasonal Events
Event options evolve every year, but here are some past highlights to consider for 2025:
✊🏾 Juneteenth Jubilee Festival: June 19–22, 2025: The weekend includes panels moderated by the Vineyard Gazette, a Gospel Brunch, NAACP Taste of Juneteenth and a special Juneteenth Service at Union Chapel.
🎬 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF): August 1–9, 2025. One of the biggest Black film festivals in the U.S., attracting Hollywood and independent Black filmmakers each August.
📖 MV Black Book Festival: August 9, 2025. This is a newer celebration of Black authors, filmmakers, and creatives sharing their work with panels, chats, and book signings.
🎤 Black Education Forum: Date TBD. A gathering of educators, scholars, and advocates discussing issues in Black education.
🎶 MV Jazz & Blues Summerfest: Date TBD. A music festival spotlighting Black jazz, soul, and blues artists.
😂 Martha's Vineyard Comedy Fest: August 4–22, 2025 at The Strand Theater. A series of comedy shows featuring top Black comedians from across the nation.
Inkwell’s traditions have gained national attention in recent years, drawing more visitors than ever through social media, press, and influencers. With demand outpacing the island’s capacity, booking early is essential.
🤝 Visiting Inkwell with Awareness and Respect
Inkwell Beach has a deep history as a gathering place for Black community and culture. Non-Black visitors can honor that by learning its significance, visiting the African American Heritage Trail, and supporting Black-owned businesses while on the island.
Public events and heritage tours are great ways to engage, but it’s important to do so with respect. Being mindful means avoiding performative actions, not treating Inkwell as a backdrop for content, and understanding that this space exists to celebrate Black culture.
📣 Voices: I remember being about 15 years old and attending my very first Polar Bears of Martha’s Vineyard ceremony at 7:30 am with a close family friend. That’s when I realized just how deep were the undercurrents of history that flowed through the waters off that beach. The Polar Bears and the Inkwell are intertwined because historically people of color visited the beach because it is a space where they felt welcome and free. The Martha’s Vineyard Polar Bears has been a safe space for Black swimmers since it was founded at the Inkwell in 1946. I remember how excited I was that morning to finally be joining the tradition. After an hour of what I thought was just going to be water aerobics, it quickly revealed itself as so much more than that. Initially, I stood off to the side, seriously contemplating if I was actually going to get into the freezing cold water that morning or just watch from the sand. To my surprise I looked up to see women of color coming from all directions of the beach, and forming a circle in the water, as if the spirits had summoned us there. I ended up becoming a link in the circle, and the coldness of the water was transformed into a warm delight in my heart as we bowed our heads for a beautiful opening ceremony prayer. As we raised our heads, it was as if our troubles were lifted off of our shoulders and sent up to God; I instantly felt lighter and more at peace. - Sharisse Scott-Rawlins
❓ Inkwell Beach FAQ from New Visitors
🏠 Where can I stay ?
Martha’s Vineyard has six towns, so be sure to book accommodations in Oak Bluffs if you want to stay close to Inkwell Beach. Black-owned lodging options fill up fast, so reserving early is key.
Black-owned accommodations in Oak Bluffs: Inkwell Beach House, Oak Bluffs Inn, Dunmere House by the Sea, Narragansett House, Shearer Cottage, Black Ivy Cottage, Cummings Manor, Dragonfly House, House of Abundance, Black Joy House.
📆 What weeks are the most popular for Black visitors?
Juneteenth Weekend is growing in popularity. The first two weeks of August are the busiest. Legacy Week (7/27–8/2) brings HBCU alumni and professionals, and the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (8/1–8/9) attracts filmmakers and celebrities. Other events later in the summer are a major draw for music and fashion. Annual Inkwell Family Reunion meetups take place in late July and August, bringing generations together.
🍽️ Where can I eat that is Black-owned?
Biscuits, Black Joy Kitchen, Eleven Circuit, Linda Jean's Restaurant, Vineyard Caribbean Cuisine, Winston's Kitchen. There are also several private chefs available each summer who can help supply provisions to your group.
🛍️ Where can I shop to support Black entrepreneurs?
C'est La Vie, In the Bluff, Island-Life Studio, Jubilee, MV Streetwear Co.
Pop-Up Vendors: Various Black-owned brands set up on summer weekends, check MVacay for news as your visit approaches.
🏛️ Which Venues Host Events?
Mariposa Museum, The Strand Theatre, Union Chapel, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Nomans, The Cottagers, Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association.
🤝 What Diversity Organizations Support the Black Community Year-Round on MV?
Black-Owned Martha’s Vineyard Business Directory, African-American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard, NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard, Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition.
*I did my best to summarize the new traditions of Inkwell, but I’m still learning! If there is something I missed in this post, please send me a kind note at info@mvacay.com and I’m happy to add it.
