The U. S. Postal Service will honor Phillis Wheatley -- the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book -- with the 49th stamp in its Black Heritage series, celebrating her legacy as a literary pioneer.

Phillis Wheatley is the first published African-American poet. The U. S. Postal Service will honor Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American poet, with the 49th Black Heritage Stamp, continuing a decades-long series recognizing Black contributions to American history.