The United States Postal Service (USPS) is celebrating the enduring legacy of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, with the release of the 49th stamp in its prestigious Black Heritage series.
The commemorative stamp pays tribute to Wheatley’s groundbreaking contributions to literature and her lasting impact on American and African American history.
The first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Phillis Wheatley Black Heritage stamp will take place on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST, at the historic Old South Meeting House in Boston, Massachusetts—a site deeply connected to the nation’s early history. The event is free and open to the public, with organizers encouraging attendees to register in advance through the USPS website. The unveiling is being celebrated online using the hashtag #BlackHeritageStamp.
Born in West Africa in 1753 and brought to colonial Boston on a slave ship, Wheatley was enslaved as a child but educated in the household of the Wheatley family. Her remarkable literary talent emerged early, culminating in the 1773 publication of “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.”
The collection made her the first person of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book, and showcased her mastery of poetic forms such as hymns, elegies, and narrative verse.
Wheatley was freed from slavery the same year her book was published and went on to correspond with prominent figures of her time, including George Washington, who praised her work. Over the centuries, she has come to be widely recognized as “the mother of African American literature.” Before the U.S. Civil War, abolitionists frequently cited her achievements as evidence of the intellectual and artistic capacities of people of African descent, directly challenging pro-slavery ideology.
Her influence continues to resonate today. Schools, libraries, community centers, and university buildings across the United States bear her name, and she has been the subject of numerous children’s books and scholarly works. In 2003, Wheatley was honored with a statue in the Boston Women’s Memorial, and renewed academic interest in her life and work has produced major biographies in 2011 and 2023, further cementing her place in literary history.
The Phillis Wheatley stamp was designed by Antonio Alcalá, a USPS art director, using an existing portrait by acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall. Issued in panes of 20, the stamp is a Forever stamp, meaning it will always be valid for the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
The release also comes as the USPS marks 250 years of service, highlighting both the institution’s historic role and its ongoing efforts to modernize operations while remaining one of the most trusted public services in the United States.
