JAMAICA, NY — Jamaica Postmaster Kahlil Wilson was installed with the postmaster’s oath of office on May 9, at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center in St. Albans before colleagues, family, friends and local delegates.

Wilson is the 44th postmaster to assume the postmaster role that covers Jamaica Main Post Office,18 postal stations, seven retail units, 21,000 delivery points, 388 delivery routes and 23 ZIP Codes.

Speakers at the event included Congressman Gregory W. Meeks of New York District 5 and Wilson’s family members – his father, mother, sisters and his wife – along with Post Office leadership, USPS New York 2 District Manager John Tortorice and community leader Manny Caughman.

According to postal records dating back to 1797, Kahlil is the first known African American postmaster for Jamaica. His fun fact, included in the installation program, is that his birthplace is Kingston, Jamaica. 

Wilson began his permanent postal career as a letter carrier for Ozone Park carrier station in 2002 after starting in Manhattan in 2000, as a casual employee.

In 2006, Wilson ventured into management as an associate supervisor for South Ozone Park.

His journey into the role of postmaster began in 2020, when he trained in the role of acting postmaster of Jamaica before being appointed as the postmaster of Long Island City in 2022.

Since then, his duties have covered manager of Post Office operations, lead manager distribution operations in Manhattan (Morgan Processing and Distribution Center), and officer in charge of Flushing and Jamaica.

Now, he is officially appointed as the postmaster of Jamaica. Wilson is a long-time resident of Queens.

Wilson gave an impactful speech about his commitment to leadership and those who lifted him up along the way, giving special thanks to his parents and his wife (also a postmaster for Hempstead, NY).

In his speech, Wilson quoted English American author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek stating, leadership is not a license to do less. Leadership is a responsibility to do more.

Wilson added his own sentiment, “I want to believe I’ve been a leader all my life, but I found purpose working for the Post Office. I never take it for granted, and I constantly remind people in my charge that I work for them. Leadership is about me taking care of fellow employees,” said Wilson.

Wilson added he wasn’t always aware of all his talents and succeeded by hard work and determination. “I am a dreamer,” said Wilson, “and I encourage everyone to dream.”

He reminded fellow postal workers to honor the process. “Set goals but cherish the journey in reaching and achieving those goals. There is sacrifice in all we do to achieve the goal, but I promise you the sacrifice is short, and the reward is sweet,” said Wilson.

Wilson’s speech preceded the official postmaster’s oath, led by USPS District Manager John Tortorice, whereby Wilson promised to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic and faithfully discharge the duties of his office (referring to Jamaica, NY as a whole).

Approximately 100 postal employees and community members attended the ceremony that culminated with a speech by Congressman Meeks followed by a catered lunch.

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