The Postal Service dedicated its new Kwanzaa stamp Sept. 25 during a ceremony in Pittsburgh, where speakers praised the annual Pan-African holiday’s emphasis on diversity and unity.
“The issuance of this Kwanzaa stamp is a powerful symbol of the enduring principles of the holiday,” said Roderick Sallay, the USPS director of legislative policy and strategy development, who spoke during the event.
“It recognizes Kwanzaa’s ability to inspire and unite people through its emphasis on community, self-determination and collective responsibility. By placing these values on a stamp, we affirm their universal relevance and their potential to enrich our daily lives,” he said.
The ceremony, held in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, took place at the Heinz History Center.
Other speakers included William M. Dulaney, the association’s president; Ekua Holmes, the stamp artist; Jourdan Hicks, a community educator; and Sala Udin, a community organizer.
Performers included vocalist Anyah Nancy and the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble.
“By its issuance of a holiday stamp that honors Pan-African family and culture, USPS affirms its belief that diversity is America’s strength, and thereby invites all Americans to celebrate with us in late December,” Dulaney said.
Kwanzaa, observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, celebrates family, community and culture. It stems from ancient and modern first-harvest festivals and incorporates traditions from across the African continent.
The holiday was first observed in 1966 and continues to honor seven founding principles, rooted in Swahili — unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani).
Holmes created the stamp image after being inspired by a live performance of dancers she witnessed at a Kwanzaa event in Roxbury, MA. The image shows three young performers — a male drummer and two female dancers.
The composition highlights the colors of the Pan-African flag — black, red and green — with West African designs on the floor, background and the drummer’s pants.
The stamp — the Postal Service’s 10th Kwanzaa release since 1997 — is available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.