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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2008

Contact: Tad Kelley, APR
Media Relations
412-359-7119
usps.com/news

Suzanne M. Thinnes
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Phone: 412-578-2458
thinness@carnegielibrary.org

Harambee Read Aloud to feature Charles W. Chesnutt stamp unveiling

Postal Service to present latest African-American legend
immortalized in Black Heritage stamp series

PITTSBURGH — Guests attending the second annual Harambee Read Aloud — sponsored by the August Wilson Center for African American Culture and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh — will be further treated to a special unveiling of the new Charles W. Chesnutt stamp. Chestnutt, considered to be the first African-American writer to receive major acclaim, is the 31st person to be honored in the distinguished Black Heritage stamp series which began in 1978. Pittsburgh Postmaster Jim Johnston II will be on hand to help unveil the stamp artwork to the public.

"The Postal Service is proud to unveil the Charles Chesnutt stamp as part of the Harambee Read Aloud and Carnegie Library's Black History Month program," said Pittsburgh Postmaster Jim Johnston II. "We are also excited that this year's Harmabee Read Aloud selection is from the works of Zora Neale Hurston, who was a great Harlem renaissance novelist and, herself, honored on a stamp among our popular Literary Arts series," Johnston added.

Who:
Pittsburgh Postmaster Jim Johnston II along with representatives from the Carnegie Library and August Wilson Center for African-American Culture

What:
Unveiling of Charles W. Chesnutt stamp as part of second annual Harambee Read Aloud festivities at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The Charles W. Chesnutt Stamp will be on sale at the event.

When:
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Chesnutt unveiling will take place at 5 p.m., with Harambee Read Aloud to follow

Where:
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
4400 Forbes Avenue

Why:
The Postal Service began issuing its Black Heritage stamp series in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman. Chesnutt joins a long list of legendary African-American leaders, inventors, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, entertainers and athletes, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Langston Hughes, Ella Fitzgerald and Jackie Robinson.

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