Celebrating Black Heritage

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

African-Americans comprise almost 22 percent of the Postal Service’s workforce.

The observance began in 1926 when Carter G. Woodson, founder of the organization now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), promoted Negro History Week, which was held each February.

In 1976, Negro History Week was extended to a one-month observance. Today, it’s designated as Black History Month or African-American History Month.

This year, the U.S. Postal Service has added a 43^rd stamp --- honoring esteemed journalist Gwen Ifill --- to its Black Heritage Series. For 17 years, Ifill worked at the PBS News Hour, covering eight presidential campaigns and moderating two vice-presidential debates. She also was the moderator and managing editor of Washington Week. In moderating Washington Week, she became the first woman and first black journalist to helm a major national politics show.

In 2016, Ifill died from complications of cancer at age 61.