Celebrate Black History Month with a look at 12 unique stamps honoring pioneers in music, civil rights, sports, politics and theater Kate Hogan was Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE.

The USPS is honoring Wheatley—the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to write and publish a book—with a new Forever Stamp, which is the 49th in its Black Heritage series.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Once enslaved and long overlooked, Phillis Wheatley’s words helped shape American history. Now, her legacy is being honored in a new way—through a U.S. postage stamp bearing ...