ROANOKE, VA — The Appalachian District invites our postal customers to participate in activities at the Postal Service’s celebration of Black History Month. This celebration is meant to honor, preserve, and highlight the immeasurable contributions of African Americans to U.S. History. The event will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the main lobby of the Roanoke Post Office – 419 Rutherford Avenue NE, Roanoke, VA. 

Guest speakers will include Pastor Leroy Garrison – Refuge Temple Church in Roanoke; USPS Manager Human Resources Shayne Hensley; and Roanoke Post Office Manager, Customer Services Jim Hubbard. A musical tribute will be provided by Cynthia Coles – Marketing Manager, U.S. Postal Service.

It is our hope participants will walk away with an elevated knowledge and understanding of the history and efforts of African Americans and how their contributions have paved the way for current generations, as well as for generations to come.  Understanding cultures in a historic aspect can lead to a better appreciation of where/why a culture stands in current day.

The public is invited to celebrate African-American history with stamps. It's an educational way to learn about historic people, places and events honored on U.S. postage stamps each year.

# # #

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

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.