BOSTON, Mass., Jan. 2, 2026 – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is honoring Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784), the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book, with the 49th stamp in the Black Heritage series.
The first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Phillis Wheatley stamp is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to register online at https://www.usps.com/philliswheatleystamp. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #BlackHeritageStamp.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. EST
Location: Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston, MA 02108
Born in West Africa and brought to Boston on a slave ship, Wheatley was enslaved but educated in the Wheatley household. In 1773, she published Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, a collection that showcased her mastery of hymns, elegies, and narrative verse. The same year, she gained her freedom and corresponded with prominent figures, including George Washington, who praised her talent.
Wheatley’s achievements helped challenge the institution of slavery before the Civil War and have inspired generations of writers and educators. Schools, libraries, and community centers across the United States bear her name, and she has been the subject of numerous children’s books. A statue of Wheatley was included in Boston’s Women’s Memorial in 2003, and scholarly biographies published in 2011 and 2023 continue to celebrate her life and literary contributions.
The Phillis Wheatley stamp, designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá using an existing portrait by Kerry James Marshall, will be issued in panes of 20. As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Contacts:
National: Felicia M. Lott – felicia.m.lott@usps.gov
Local: Lecia Hall – lecia.a.hall@usps.gov
For more information, visit usps.com/news.