• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard

ESSENCE.com roundups Black celebrities who vacation in Martha's Vineyard.
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
The First Family

It’s summertime and the living is easy. As the First Family enjoys their holiday in Martha’s Vineyard this week, we take a look at other Black movers and shakers who also enjoy retreating at this popular New England getaway.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
02
Spike Lee

Brooklyn-bred film icon Spike Lee and his family have headed north to the Vineyard for a little rest and relaxation, and he even has a home on the island. While there, he reportedly frequents the Mocha Mott’s coffee shop in Oak Bluffs.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
03
Vernon Jordan

Once referred to as “the ultimate Washington insider,” Vernon Jordan is a political figure known for racking up QT in Martha’s Vineyard. In fact, before Obama even became Commander-in-Chief, some had given MV the moniker, “The Beltway-By-the-Sea.”

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
04
Oprah Winfrey

Of course the mother of all media moguls has spent time at this exclusive vacation spot. Sources claim that Oprah Winfrey, a huge Obama supporter and friend of the family, will also be joining the First Family this week.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
05
Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a long-time Oak Bluffs summer resident. [Oak Bluffs is a predominately Black area of MV.] The ESSENCE contributor recently moderated a panel discussion there titled, “Achieving Equality in the Age of Obama.” It was hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
06
Charles Ogletree

A highly respected member of academia, Harvard University law professor Charles Ogletree is a Martha’s Vineyard regular. Ogletree is even a contributor to The Martha’s Vineyard Times newspaper.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
07
Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Jet-setting newlyweds Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly fans of the New England hideout and just might pop up there this week to hang out with the Obamas. Known for avoiding the paparazzi, quaint Martha’s Vineyard is an ideal vacation location for the private couple.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
08
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

One of the nation’s most prominent African-American scholars and friend of the Obamas, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is another Martha’s Vineyard regular. While the island is convenient for those who primarily reside in the Boston area, like Gates, visitors travel from all over the country to vacation in MV.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Ap Image
09
Quincy Jones

Music mogul Quincy Jones has reportedly summered in Martha’s Vineyard. Most folks who frequent the Vineyard fall in love with the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
10
Malinda and D-Nice

D-Nice, a DJ and budding photographer, and wife Malinda, an actress, just celebrated their first wedding anniversary and have grown fond of the Vineyard. In fact, D-Nice shared pictures on his blog taken at the Vineyard during a recent trip.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
11
Eddie Murphy

Funny man Eddie Murphy is rumored to have enjoyed Martha’s Vineyard as a getaway from the Hollywood scene.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
12
Shelia Johnson

BET cofounder Sheila Johnson (pictured here with her current husband, Judge William T. Newman Jr) is a frequent MV visitor.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
13
Sylvia Rhone

A certified trailblazer in the record industry, Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone feels right at home in the Vineyard.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
14
Valerie Jarrett

White House adviser Valerie Jarrett is yet another high-profile Martha’s Vineyard regular. The longtime friend of the Obamas just dined with the First Family at the Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
15
Jill Nelson

Jill Nelson wrote the book on Blacks in Martha’s Vineyard. Literally. The veteran writer penned “Finding Martha’s Vineyard: African Americans at Home on an Island” (Doubleday). The Vineyard has been her home away from home for most of her life and her tome includes a vibrant collection of personal memories, articles, recipes, and photographs all about Martha’s Vineyard.

Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
16
Reggie Hudlin
Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Getty Image
17
Adam Clayton Powell
Celebrities in Marthas Vineyard
Corbis
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now