WHAT: Halifax Community College (HCC) and the U.S. Postal Service convene to present an early dedication ceremony of the Civil Rights Pioneers stamps. This historic commemorative stamp set features 12 individuals who built their legacy in America as prominent leaders in the Civil Rights movement, mostly behind the scenes. The stamps will be issued nationally February 21, but get an exclusive sneak preview and tribute during HCC’s annual Black History Month event.

WHO: HCC President Dr. Ervin Griffin welcomes NAACP officials, Weldon Postmaster Buffi Flagg, Kipp Pride High School students and praise dancers from First Baptist Church to participate in a unique program honoring the likes of civil rights heroes Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker and Mary Church Terrell, among others.

WHERE: The Centre at Halifax Community College
100 Centre Street
Weldon, NC

WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 2009 @ 10 am

BACKGROUND: With these Civil Rights Pioneers stamps, the Postal Service honors the courage, commitment and achievements of 12 civil rights leaders, including four co-founders of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the country now in its 100th year.
This marks the third year HCC has hosted a stamp dedication event during its annual Black History Month festivities. The event is free and open to the public.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.