#4- Martha’s Vineyard

 

 Martha’s Vineyard is one of the oldest and largest Black resorts in the country. The enclave of black doctors, lawyers, judges and entrepreneurs who vacation here know each other, or at least have friends in common. Blacks have been vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard since the early 1900s when they first started coming over to work for well-to-do whites. Indeed, the island is a magnet for Black vacationers who consider the vacation more of a reunion.

The island is 7 miles southeast of the Massachusetts mainland, 20 miles from New Bedford, 80 miles from Boston and 150 miles from New York. Martha’s Vineyard consists of six towns: Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah (Gay Head).

The first blacks came to Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1600s as enslaved servants. Some of their descendents live on the island year round. One reason that Blacks concentrated in Oaks Bluff is that people refused to sell them homes in Edgartown. Even in the summers, blacks tended to stay at homes owned by other blacks, since traditional hotels would not rent to them. Many spend time at Town Beach a.k.a “The Inkwell” in Oak Bluffs, the beach that black Vineyarders and their guests have enjoyed for generations.

For Black islanders, the party circuit is part of summer vacation. From May until September, they host a nonstop smorgasbord of lunches, brunches, cocktail sips and clambakes on the beach. The house party circuit includes reunions, weddings and spontaneous gatherings. Amidst the socializing, a strong sense of Black Pride pervades the island and leaves Black vacationers with a wealth of memories.

Initiation to the island involves the fact that everyone must travel by a 45-minute ferry ride. Make reservations for the ferry in January to get passage with your car during a weekend in the summer season. You can usually tell first time vacationers because they do not have a reservation for their car.

Black Professionals who have spent every summer at the Vineyard know that it is a cardinal sin to even think about wearing a t-shirt with the black dog. (Thanks “Claire Huxtable” for the reminder!)

You can spot Black Professionals who are “newbies” at the Vineyard because when they return home, they proudly wear either the essential t-shirt or grey sweatshirt or baseball cap that has a large black dog silk screened or embroidered on the front. The newbie mistakingly believes that the black dog sends a message to the world that the Black Professional enjoys the finer things in life and enjoys spending the summer with like minded people. When greeting the BP who is wearing the “essential” gear, point to the dog and say “Did you just get back from the Vineyard?” Ask them where they stay when they “summer” and if they feel rejuvenated. Non Blacks should not assume that the BP stayed in Oaks Bluff—-so give the BP ample opportunity to tell you how they stayed with “friends” or relatives.

It is imperative that the Black Professional purchase the oval bumper stickers with the large font initials “MV” and place it on the back of their Mercedes, BMW or Range Rover. These two letters are a symbolic “emancipation proclamation” to non Blacks driving on the road…especially White Liberals who know the aura and mystique associated with the Vineyard. Should the elements destroy the adhesive on the sticker or upon the purchase of a new vehicle, the BP must replace it immediately because social status is dependent on it.

#3- Travel to Africa

 

Black Professionals (BPs) distinguish themselves by visiting Africa and tracing their roots. Popular destinations include Tanzania, Kenya, Gambia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Morocco and Senegal. BPs know that Africa is a vast continent with an incredibly complex history. Despite shared histories and ancestral ties, differences in culture, language and religion have sometimes divided Blacks and Africans.

BPs enjoy buying souvenirs like musical instruments, decorative masks, tapestries and art work from Africa in open marketplaces. Prior to the trip, BPs research historical sites to visit in each country and memorize key phrases in the native language of their destination. Unfortunately, some BPs are disappointed when they realize that the people they meet may speak some English.

BPs also must participate in the mandatory photographic safari excursion where they can capture the Big Game on digital cameras. BPs do not want to appear to be travel novices…so they are careful to pack garments or cloth made with traditional African fabric and not wear them on the return trip to the States.

Also, in some places like South Africa, vineyards (or wine farms as the are known locally) provide a great opportunity to kick back enjoy the sun and have a glass of the local wine. Africa wine is growing more popular and a tour of a vineyard is a good excuse to try some and meet more of the local people.

Additionally, BPs take pride in combining volunteerism with their vacation travel to Africa, like working with orphans or a health center. This activity serves the dual purpose of explaining the purpose of the trip to non Blacks who might not understand the whole “tracing roots” angle.

#2- National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS)

 

The National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) is an association of ski clubs that promote skiing & snowboarding among minorities and encourages Black Athletes to make it to the Winter Olympics. http://www.nbs.org/ Black Professionals (BPs) join their local clubs, participate in local & regional outings (Like Winter Carnival in Tahoe) and attend the bi-annual Summit (odd years) or Mini-Summit (even years) for a week of skiing, boarding and partying. *

Some BPs choose not to register for the formal activities (or get the badge, wristband & conference bag) but still come to the ski resort town to partake of the festivities. They are known as “Renegades.” These “Renegades” ski/board and are extremely visible at the “unofficial” Happy Hours and the infamous Parties (The Ques from DC or the Chicago Crew.)

BPs like congregating with other successful BPs. The mere fact that one attends the Mini Summit or Summit in overpriced destinations like Whistler, Park City, Aspen or Vail distinguishes this group of BPs from social climbers on the lower rungs of the ladder. BPs know the costs of gear, the lift tickets or season pass, equipment (rental or purchase), transportation, accomodations and lessons (if needed). BPs rationalize these costs and taking a vacation to a cold destination by considering that one cannot place a price on networking, being at the right place at the right time and having “proper” introductions to other successful BPs. Also, black upper middle class folklore passed from generation to generation reminds good BPs that many marriages have blossomed from introductions on the Slopes.

When BPs tell their non Black colleagues or supervisors that they will be unavailable for the week because they are going skiing/boarding in (insert name of Resort town) they may be surprised at the instant comraderie established. The non Black colleague may be more excited for the BPs trip than the BP. Do not be offended or surprised if the non Black colleague offers their outdoor gear or gives advice for your trip.

Popular clubs include ThrillSeekers (NYC), Four Seasons West (LA), Jim Dandy (Detroit), Jazz-Ma-Tazz (New Orleans) and SOUL BOARDERS (I think Chi-town).

Special shout out to the Black Professionals from the U.K. who trek across the pond to ski & board and mingle w/ their American counterparts!

*These trips are NOT to be confused with similar trips planned by less established Blacks that include bus rides and pajama parties and appearances by B-List R&B singers promoted on shiny cardstock flyers at clubs & beauty salons . The majority of these trips involve snowmobiling as opposed to skiing.*

#1- Black Professional Organizations

 

Black Professionals maximize every opportunity to network with others that work in the same field who are of African descent. Membership strengthens the ties that bond them. Affiliation with a Black Professional Organization demonstrates that one is committed to preserving the the interests of members and advancements made in their field. Organizations include the National Bar Association (NBA), National Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Some of these organizations or fields have offshoots geared to more specialized fields like BESLA (Black Entertainment & Sports Law Attorneys).

Membership in such organizations validates the Black Professional’s existence—-Hey, it took a lot of hard work and years of education to get here, right? These organizations are the lifeline for Blacks in their profession. By joining the local chapter of a Black Professional Organization, the Black Professional shows their community that they have indeed “made it” and want to be a shining example to others pursuing the dream. Some professions encourage those still on the path (graduate students or entry level employees) to join the local chapter at the reduced/student rate and be mentored. Remember, these organizations are the vehicles to train new leaders.

Membership provides the fringe benefit of attending national conferences where members of all the local chapters nationwide gather in a destination city under the guise of sharing their talent, gaining expertise or expanding their network for business purposes. Attendance in workshop sessions is not necessarily guaranteed although the participant will most likely be found during the social hour or late night party sponsored by (insert name of LARGE company that budgets for diversity marketing.)

If you want to get on the good side of a Black Professional, follow these steps. #1- Ask them to describe in detail the path they took to get to their current position. #2- Insist that they begin their story from high school to present. #3- Nod and smile at them with starry eyes. #4- Tell them that they are an inspiration. #5- Then ask if they would consider speaking on a panel or to a group of “At-Risk” youth. #6- Ask for their business card (If it has not already been offered by the Black Professional after you completed Step #3.)