Black-Owned Brands Summer Bazaar Brings Community and Commerce to Martha's Vineyard

This summer, the Oak Bluffs community on Martha's Vineyard hosts a vibrant celebration of Black entrepreneurship with the second annual Black-Owned Brands Summer Bazaar. Organized by Áwet New York, RAISEfashion, and the DJ Henry Dream Fund, the event takes place this Sunday at the historic Dragonfly House. While Polo Ralph Lauren showcased an Oak Bluffs collection last month in collaboration with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, the upcoming bazaar focuses on empowering Black-owned fashion brands directly within the community. For the first time, the event is co-presented by RAISEfashion, a New York-based nonprofit advocating for equity in the fashion industry, and aims to support the DJ Henry Dream Fund. This charity assists underserved youth by funding participation in community programs, arts, sports, and scholarships. The DJ Henry Dream Fund honors Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr., who tragically lost his life near his 21st birthday in 2010. His parents, Angella and Danroy Henry, are part of Martha's Vineyard’s seasonal community and own the Dragonfly House, a site of cultural and historical significance. Constructed in 1874, the waterfront property was once owned by abolitionist John R...