Black History Month: Celebrating African-American Heritage and Contributions to Our Country

USPS has recognized African-American civil rights leaders, politicians, inventors, doctors, athletes, musicians and heritage celebrations through the issuance of these and many other stamps.

February is Black History Month — a time to celebrate the heritage of African-Americans and the contributions they have made to the nation. 

African-Americans make up nearly 22 percent of the Postal Service’s workforce.

“We recognize the richness of African-Americans’ history and the significance of their contributions to the Postal Service,” said Employee Resource Management VP Rosemarie Fernandez. “We celebrate their numerous accomplishments.”

Nearly 75 years ago, USPS issued the first stamp recognizing an African-American, Booker T. Washington, the founder of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Tuskegee University).

USPS has continued to recognize African-American civil rights leaders, politicians, inventors, doctors, athletes, musicians and heritage celebrations through the issuance of 151 stamps with African-American themes.

For additional information on African-American history, including famous African-American firsts and the roles they have played in the history of USPS, go to the African-American History Resource Kit on the USPS Diversity and Inclusion website.