The United States Postal Service released on April 7, 2015 the Maya Angelou Forever® stamp in self-adhesive sheets of 12 and was designed by Art director Ethel Kessler.

Dr. Maya Angelou (1028-2014), an author, poet, actress, and champion of civil rights, was one of the most dynamic voices in all of 20th-century American literature. Her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiographical account of her childhood, gained wide acclaim for its vivid depiction of African-American life in the South.

The stamps showcases artist Ross Rossin's 2013 portrait of Dr. Angelou. The oil-on-canvas painting is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's collection. In the bottom left corner is the following phrase quoted by Dr. Angelou: "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." Above the quotation is her name in black type. The words "Forever" and "USA" are along the right side. The bright red-colored sheet also includes a short excerpt from Dr. Angelou's book Letter to My Daughter. It reads: "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

The Maya Angelou Forever stamp was officially dedicated with the presence of First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Melissa Harris-Perry, Sophia Nelson, Valerie Ashford-Simpson, Sonja Sanchez, Dr. Eleanor Traylor, Rossin Fin Art, Ethel Kessler and the Angelou-Johnson family. Check the details at the USPS link at https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=S_472604