Daily News
USPS Unveils Kwanzaa Stamp to Celebrate African American Heritage
The USPS introduced a new Kwanzaa stamp at Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center, celebrating the holiday’s seven principles and cultural significance. Designed by Ekua Holmes, the Forever stamp emphasizes community, tradition, and unity.
PITTSBURGH /PRNewswire/ — In a significant gesture to honor African American culture, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled a new commemorative stamp celebrating Kwanzaa, a cherished Pan-African American holiday observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. The stamp, introduced during a ceremony at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, aims to spotlight the holiday’s profound cultural significance and its foundational principles.
Kwanzaa Stamp
The event was organized in collaboration with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and featured a diverse array of speakers and performers, emphasizing the role of community and tradition in the Kwanzaa celebration. “The Postal Service’s goal is to create stamps that resonate with people from all walks of life,” remarked Roderick Sallay, USPS director of legislative policy and strategy development. “The issuance of this Kwanzaa stamp is a powerful symbol of the enduring principles of the holiday. It recognizes Kwanzaa’s ability to inspire and unite people through its emphasis on community, self-determination, and collective responsibility.”
The Kwanzaa stamp is the tenth issued by USPS since 1997 and is a tribute to the holiday’s seven guiding principles—unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each year, millions of African Americans gather with loved ones during the week of Kwanzaa, reflecting on the significance of these values while celebrating a rich cultural heritage.
William M. Dulaney, ASALH president, praised the recognition of Kwanzaa’s cultural importance, stating, “By its issuance of a holiday stamp that honors Pan-African family and culture, the USPS affirms its belief that diversity is America’s strength, and thereby invites all Americans to celebrate with us in late December.”
The newly designed stamp, created by artist Ekua Holmes, draws inspiration from a live performance by dancers at the OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center during a Kwanzaa event in Roxbury, MA. The artwork features three young performers: a male drummer in a colorful kufi and intricately designed pants, flanked by two female dancers adorned in vibrant orange dresses. The design incorporates elements of the Pan-African flag with its vivid colors and West African motifs, showcasing the continuity and evolution of African American traditions.
Art director Ethel Kessler collaborated with Holmes to bring the stamp’s vibrant imagery to life. The Kwanzaa stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp, sold in panes of 20, and will always hold the same value as the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate. Enthusiasts and collectors can find the stamp and other postal products via the USPS Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826, or at local Post Office locations nationwide.
News of the Kwanzaa stamp is being circulated online with the hashtag #KwanzaaStamps, inviting people across the country to partake in the celebration of this meaningful holiday that reaffirms cultural identity, community ties, and collective resilience.
As Kwanzaa approaches, the USPS Kwanzaa stamp serves not only as a means of communication but as a beacon of cultural pride and unity, reminding all Americans of the rich tapestry that is woven from shared values and diverse backgrounds.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremonies and stamp inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.
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