New Kwanzaa Stamp to be Dedicated at NC State

2018 Kwanzaa U.S. postage stamp

The U.S. Postal Service has selected NC State’s African American Cultural Center as the national dedication site for the 2018 Kwanzaa postage stamp.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend a ceremony on Harris Field, adjacent to Witherspoon Student Center.

About the Kwanzaa Stamp

Kwanzaa, an annual Pan-African holiday that brings family, community and culture together for many African Americans, takes place over seven days from December 26 to January 1.

Artist Floyd Cooper, in collaboration with art director Derry Noyes, designed the 2018 stamp, which is the seventh Kwanzaa stamp issued since 1997.

From the U.S. Postal Service press release:

“The stamp art depicts a man, woman and child adorned in a mixture of western and traditional clothing, paying tribute to the holiday’s focus on the contemporary African-American experience while also drawing on African roots. The family is gathered around a kinara (candleholder), the warm light from the seven candles (mishumaa saba) illuminating their faces. Several other important Kwanzaa symbols sit on the table — a few ears of corn (muhindi) and various fruits and vegetables (mazao); the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup); and the mkeka, a straw mat on top of which everything is placed.

Each year, millions of African-Americans gather with friends and family throughout the week of Kwanzaa to honor the holiday’s seven founding principles — unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba) and faith (Imani). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the focus of one of these seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba.”

Event Details

  • UPDATED: Location has changed to Witherspoon Student Center, Washington-Sankofa Room (Room 126) for the 11:00 a.m. ceremony.
  • The program will conclude at 12:00 p.m.

How to Share

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  • Share news of the stamp and dedication with the hashtag #KwanzaaStamps
  • View the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.