The United States Postal Service has announced a new Forever stamp honoring Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry. The 49th entry in the USPS Black Heritage series, the stamp will debut January 29, 2026, at Boston’s historic Old South Meeting House.
A portrait by acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall, based on his reimagining of Wheatley in adulthood, will appear on the stamp pane of 20. The illustration presents Wheatley seated at her writing desk, quill in hand, looking directly at the viewer.
A Literary Legacy Recognized on a National Scale
The commemorative Phillis Wheatley stamp serves as a tribute to one of the most significant literary figures in early American history. Born in West Africa around 1753 and brought to Boston aboard a slave ship, Wheatley was purchased by the Wheatley family, who later educated her. By age 20, she had written Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773), a work that established her as a literary pioneer.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, Wheatley was not only the first African American woman to publish a book but also the first person of African descent in the American colonies to do so. Her work became a cornerstone of both literary achievement and abolitionist discourse during the 18th century. After gaining her freedom the same year her book was released, Wheatley continued to write and correspond with key figures of the time, including George Washington, who reportedly praised her poetic talent.
According to the USPS, her contributions helped counter deeply entrenched racist assumptions, making her a potent symbol for the abolitionist movement. Today, numerous schools, libraries, and public buildings across the country bear her name. She is also one of three women honored at the Boston Women’s Memorial.
A Modern Tribute by Leading American Artists
The stamp’s design was developed under the direction of Antonio Alcalá, USPS art director, with a commissioned portrait by Kerry James Marshall, known for his powerful depictions of Black life and history. The black-and-white illustration presents Wheatley as a free woman in adulthood, a deliberate artistic choice. According to a statement shared by art dealer David Zwirner, Marshall said, “Phillis Wheatley-Peters, died, aged 31, a free woman of color, facing forward. The image I made for this stamp sought to memorialize her, as such.”
This stamp marks the 49th addition to the USPS’s Black Heritage series, which has previously featured figures such as Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman. It will be issued as a pane of 20 Forever stamps, retaining their value indefinitely regardless of future changes to postage rates.
The first-day-of-issue ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST at Boston’s Old South Meeting House, a site deeply connected to the early American fight for freedom. According to USPS, the event is free and open to the public, though registration via the official website is recommended for those planning to attend.
This tribute not only preserves Wheatley’s legacy but also brings renewed attention to her life and impact. In recent years, her story has continued to inspire both academic research and children’s literature, demonstrating the lasting influence of her work.
