The United States Postal Service will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet and author of a book in the American Colonies, as the 49th entry in its Black Heritage series. The first-day-of-issue ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST at the Old South Meeting House in Boston.
The free public event will feature the official dedication of the stamp, which depicts Wheatley in a design created by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá using an existing portrait by artist Kerry James Marshall. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at the USPS website. The announcement is being promoted with the hashtag #BlackHeritageStamp.
Born in West Africa around 1753, Phillis Wheatley was kidnapped and transported to Boston on a slave ship as a child. Purchased by the Wheatley family, she received an education uncommon for an enslaved person at the time. In 1773, she published “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” in London, becoming the first person of African descent in the colonies to author a published book. The collection demonstrated her command of poetic forms including hymns, elegies, and narrative verse. She was freed from slavery later that year and later corresponded with prominent figures, including George Washington, who commended her talent in a letter.
Wheatley’s work, produced during her lifetime from approximately 1753 to 1784, established her as a foundational figure in American literature. Abolitionists before the Civil War cited her achievements to demonstrate the intellectual capacity of people of African descent and to challenge the institution of slavery. Her legacy persists through namesakes on schools, libraries, community centers, and university buildings nationwide, as well as children’s books that highlight her life. In 2003, a statue of Wheatley was added to the Boston Women’s Memorial. Scholarly recognition has grown with the publication of the first full-length biography in 2011 and an additional biographical study in 2023.
The stamp will be issued in panes of 20 and carries Forever status, meaning it will always be valid for the current First-Class Mail one-ounce letter rate regardless of future price changes. It will be available for purchase on the first day of issue and afterward at post offices and through the USPS online store.
The Black Heritage series, launched in 1987, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to African American history and culture. Previous honorees include figures such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou. The Wheatley stamp continues this tradition of spotlighting trailblazers in literature and the arts.
The Old South Meeting House, site of the January 29 ceremony, is a historic landmark known for its role in the events leading to the Boston Tea Party. The location ties the stamp issuance to Boston, the city where Wheatley lived, worked, and published her groundbreaking collection.