Jackson Davis V, 12, is a typical-looking fifth grader with bright eyes, an infectious smile, eager to share ideas and an endearing attitude. Yet, this young African-American male is very serious about his work. Davis embarked on a campaign to alert congressional leaders and the hierarchy of the U.S. Postal Service that he had a submission for consideration for a postage stamp.
The idea started last year when Davis, a fourth grade student at Lowell School, in northwest Washington, chose to write an essay about York for a school project. York, an enslaved Black man who was part of the Louis and Clark Expedition, made a big impact on American history yet there was little commemorating his triumphs. Taught to think “out-of-the-box,” York’s contributions to the expedition hit Davis in a profound way.
Upon visiting the post office with his mother, he asked if York had a stamp in his honor. “Google,” said his mother Cyn Davis, thinking it would end his curiosity. What he found was there were four stamps honoring Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and one for a fifteen-year-old Shoshone Indian woman, Sacagawea. But none to represent the bravery of York and the contributions he made to mapping out the trail from states now known as Illinois to the Pacific Ocean and back.
Davis decided to start a campaign to put York on a postage stamp in the Black Heritage series collection. “What a great way to recognize York’s contributions to America,” said Davis. “Stamps are the most visible piece of art.”
Davis sent his essay to the US Post Office Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) to consider York on a postage stamp.
The committee receives approximately 45,000 requests a year for approvals for stamp subjects and designs. The chances of Davis’ requests were very slim initially, but he began a well-executed campaign to pursue the endeavor.
“He wasn’t giving up,” said his mother.
In March 2011, just one month after his submission, Davis received a letter from the CSAC informing the fourth-grader that his request was one of the top 25 being considered.
“I was amazed and appreciative,” said Davis, whose grandfather, Jackson Davis III, is a retired postal worker.
Reaching out for national support, Davis established a Facebook page, a Twitter account and wrote President Barack Obama 30 times. “I wrote the President everyday for a whole month to let him know what I was doing and he answered me back,” the child said proudly.
Other dignitaries who sent letters of encouragement include Vice President Joe Biden, Harvard Professor of African American History Henry Louis Gates, National Urban League CEO Marc Morial, Rep. Ben Cardin, and lots of students and teachers from around the country
“It’s almost like Jackson is living in a bubble. He is fixated on York being placed on a stamp but realizes there are no guarantees at this point,” his mother said.
Stephanie Ambrose Tubbs, chairman of the Lewis and Clark Trust, traveled from Montana to congratulate Davis on his accomplishment. “This is such a great thing to have children to get involved in something of this magnitude. What Davis is doing will inspire youth across the country,” said Tubbs, who father wrote the book, “Undaunted Courage,” which highlights Lewis’ endeavors.
“I was blown away, said Donald P. Conway, chapter director for the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER), an organization that promotes and fosters an interest in the study and collecting of stamps honoring African Americans and related subjects.
“There have been lots of proposals sent by individuals over the years for numerous notable African Americans that have not gotten recognition. We hope this one goes all the way,” Conway said.
Stamp proposals are reviewed by the committee for a three-year period in advance of the proposed date of issue to allow sufficient time for consideration and for design and production, if the subject is approved.
After a proposed subject meets the criteria set by CSAC, it is listed on the CSAC’s agenda for its next meeting. The CSAC considers all new proposals and takes one of two actions: it may reject the new proposal or it may set it aside for consideration for future issuance. If the proposal is rejected, it may be resubmitted to the Committee again, no sooner than three years after the rejection date.
Those who submit a subject request do not find out whether a stamp will be issued until a general announcement is made to the public. While the Postal Service relies heavily upon the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee for its advice, it has the exclusive and final authority to determine both subject matter and designs for U.S. postal stamps and postal stationery.
Once a subject is approved, the Postal Service relies heavily on art directors under contract to the Postal Service for the selection of artists who will execute the designs.
