A Heritage of Freedom & Joy

 In 2021, this annual festival was birthed on the porch of the Narragansett House and the Dunmere House, which belong to the Inkwell Haven hotel group – the only Female & Black-owned hotel group on Martha's Vineyard.  The goal was simple – bring our multi-racial and multi-generational community closer together in a celebration of joyful freedom for all through music, film, art, literacy, historical and culinary presentations. Since its inception, the festival has grown significantly and has been featured in the New York Times and Ebony Magazine as one of the top locations in the nation to celebrate Juneteenth. It is fitting that this gathering of freedom and joy is taking place in Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs, formerly called Cottage City was founded in the mid-1800s by a multi-racial religious summer community of leading abolitionists and community-minded individuals. We are proud to continue to enhance and celebrate the historical significance of a place rooted in freedom and joy that continues to the modern day. 

In 2025, in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of Jubilee Festival of Juneteenth we established the Jubilee Charitable Corporation.  The mission of our non-profit is to engage community in joyful gatherings that preserve the spirit of Oak Bluffs and the rich diaspora of summer visitors that have graced our shores for 150 years.

Oak Bluffs was founded by abolitionists in the 1800s rooted in faith, in community and in American dream for all.  We believe in uplifting their stories, supporting emerging artists & trailblazers to ensure the unique community continues to thrive for many generations to come.