U.S. Postal Service Unveils Black Heritage Month Commemorative Stamp at MDC’s North Campus
South Florida commemorative Black Heritage Month Stamp of Charles W. Chesnutt
Miami, Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - Miami Dade College’s (MDC) North Campus was the site for pride and celebration as United States Postal Service (USPS) representatives unveiled the South Florida commemorative Black Heritage Month Stamp of Charles W. Chesnutt. The event was held at the William Lehman Theatre on campus.
Charles W. Chesnutt (1858-1932) was an African-American author and political activist best known for novels and short stories exploring racism and social themes. In novels such as The Marrow of Tradition and short stories such as those collected in The Conjure Woman, he probed the color line in American life.
“The Charles W. Chesnutt stamp honors a man considered a major innovator among turn of the century literary realists,” said MDC North Campus President Dr. José A. Vicente.
Dr. Vicente was joined onstage by USPS Diversity Specialist Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson, who also serves as City of Opa-Locka vice-mayor and USPS Miami Area Manager Raul Mayor to reveal the new commemorative stamp. Also on hand for the unveiling were 30 visiting students from Monarch High School as well as MDC students, faculty and staff.
As part of the celebration, toddlers from the North Campus’ pre-school program danced to Pata Pata, an African children’s song.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Beverly Williams, 305-237-3949, brodrigu@mdc.edu, MDC media relations director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist