Roxbury native Ekua Holmes designs the latest U.S. Postal Service Kwanzaa stamp

Roxbury native Ekua Holmes is one of the latest artists to be featured on a Kwanzaa-themed U.S. Postal Stamp.

Since 1997, USPS has produced 10 stamps inspired by the Pan-African holiday, including the one this year designed by Holmes.

The mixed media artist spoke with the Banner about her Kwanzaa stamp, what inspires her as an artist and the importance of goals.

Banner: How did you come to design a Kwanzaa stamp?
Holmes: A designer from the United States Postal Service first contacted me in April of 2020. Talk about planning ahead! Unfortunately the COVID pandemic had just begun in March and the country was shut down. I was very curious about how the USPS had learned about my art practice.

Ms. Kessler said they had a list of artists they wanted to work with and had reached out to me via email. The message said simply, “possible collaboration. Would love to chat with you. … Do you have time on Monday, April 13th or as it works in your schedule?” Over the next 12 months we met on Zoom to discuss the project.

To design a stamp, you have to take into account how small the final product will be. The image has to be read at a very small size. Having good contrast and color is a must. I wanted young people movng in unity to be the focus. The project was completed in April 2022 then printed and distributed this year.

Kwanzaa postage stamps designed by Ekua Holmes. PHOTO: COURTESY EQUA HOLMES

What was the process like from ideation to seeing your design come to life?
I submitted several designs to the art director. All of my designs were youth focused as it was my intention to highlight how important young people are to the Kwanzaa holiday and to the world at large. She then shared them with a committee and they settled on this design.

What was it like to see your stamp for the first time?
It was really thrilling to see it for the first time and of course to hold the page of stamps in my hand. Also I have been receiving holiday cards with the stamp on them and that makes me smile. It’s a dream come true. There have been 10 original Kwanzaa stamp designs. This is number 10.

What was your inspiration for the stamp?
In 2017, I attended one of my community’s Kwanzaa celebrations. I believe on this night we were celebrating UJIMA-collective work and responsibility. This evening is hosted yearly by Origination, a dance school that teaches all forms of dance and performance art practices for all ages. It is one of my favorite nights to come out and celebrate Kwanzaa. This year a group of girls danced to “Spirit in the Dark” by Aretha Franklin which includes these lyrics:

Tell me, sister, how do ya feel?

Tell me, my brother-brother-brother

How do you feel?

Do you feel like dancing?

Get up and let’s start dancing

Start getting the spirit (Start getting in the spirit)

Spirit in the dark (In the dark)”

It’s a joyous, soulful tune and the girls danced with all their hearts bringing the audience to its feet, clapping and cheering. I videotaped a portion but then had to put my camera down to join in the fun. Here are a few stills from my video tape where you can see how this event is represented in the final stamp design. Their expressive, coordinated dance moves choreographed by Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga, lifted, united and excited the audience of all ages to stand up and cheer. It left us in tears of pride and admiration.

What inspires your art in general?
I always tell folks that I am a Roxbury girl! I haven’t had to go far for inspiration. So much of my growing up here has inspired my art from the beautiful parks and architecture, the Black Arts Murals of Dana Chandler and Gary Rickson, from dancing with Elma Lewis, to the stunning bronzes of John Wilson and Fern Cunningham Terry and of course a community that supported me as a visual artist.

Did you ever imagine that your work would be featured on a stamp?
I did. I remember being so excited when the first Kwanzaa stamp came out in 1997. It was designed by Synthia Saint James, a West Coast artist. I so admired her painting for the stamp and it filled me with pride. I dreamed that one day I might be a chosen artist for this honor. The Kwanzaa holiday was created specifically for African Americans to explore and celebrate the values of our African past. Though most of us cannot isolate the specific country in Africa that our ancestors came from, we rightly claim it as our ancestral home. The seven principles of Kwanzaa and their meaning remind us that we create our future through our actions today,  that our young people are central to that future and that unity and faith are essential ingredients of our future.

Any advice for aspiring artists?
Designing a Kwanzaa stamp was on a list of things that I wanted to achieve as an American artist. I love that I was able to reach this goal. It is an accomplishment of which I will always be proud. It’s good to have goals in mind for yourself and work toward them a little at a time. Keep your skills sharp so that when the door of opportunity opens you will be ready. Stay curious about everything.

Where else can people see your work?
From now until January 10th, my work can be seen at the St. Botolph Club in Boston, 199 Commonwealth Avenue. The exhibition is called, “Im/Perfect Strangers,” and features work on urban gardening, love and children. Call for hours. My work is also on view at Michelson’s Gallery in Northamption, Mass.