Daily printout: Jan. 29

The Postal Service will release its latest Black Heritage stamp, honoring poet Phillis Wheatley, on Thursday, Jan. 29.

The 49th honoree in the series, Wheatley (1753-1784) was born in West Africa and brought to Boston on a slave ship. Although she was enslaved, she received an education in the household of John Wheatley, a merchant. Through her talents, she became the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book.

Wheatley published her first collection, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” in 1773. This collection showcased her impressive mastery of various poetic forms, including hymns, elegies and narrative verse, securing her place in history.

Freed from slavery that same year, she went on to correspond with figures such as George Washington, who praised her poetic talent.

Wheatley’s legacy continues to inspire generations, earning her the title of the “mother of African American literature.” Before the Civil War, abolitionists used her accomplishments to affirm the intellectual capability of people of African descent and argue against slavery.

Schools, libraries, community centers and university buildings across the country have been named for Wheatley.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an existing portrait by Kerry James Marshall.

The Phillis Wheatley Forever stamp will be available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and at usps.com.

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The Postal Service is reminding employees that they can seek second jobs, but certain types of supplemental employment are not permitted.

Federal ethics regulations prohibit USPS employees from engaging in outside employment that conflicts with or affects their postal duties.

Additionally, Postal Service employees cannot:

• Work for a commercial mail receiving entity such as the UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc. or FedEx Office Print & Ship Center;

• Receive compensation from an outside source for teaching, speaking or writing about matters related to their official USPS duties;

• Receive compensation from any foreign government;

• Perform consulting work — solo or for a company — on postal operations, programs or procedures; or

• Work in any capacity for a commercial entity such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx or DHL that delivers mailable matter that could otherwise be sent via U.S. Mail.

An employee can work for an Amazon subsidiary that does not deliver mailable matter — such as Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh or Twitch — but the employee must obtain prior approval from the USPS Ethics Office.

Also, if your supplemental employment involves appearing before, dealing with or making a representation to the Postal Service or any other federal agency on behalf of another person or business, you must contact the ethics office before taking any action.

Employees also cannot do any selling, fundraising or outside business activity while on duty, in uniform, at USPS facilities or using postal equipment.  

Employees with questions can email the ethics office or call 202-268-6346. The Ethics Blue Page contains additional information.