National Black Stationery Week + Day)
Welcome to slowing down to savor the gift of a week-long celebration of excellence, empowerment, creativity, and cultural significance – National Black Stationery Week.
From February 22nd to February 28th, I invite you to join me in honoring the beauty and versatility of Black folks in stationery.
Culminating on World Black Stationery Day—February 28th, this week-long movement during Black History Month is a tribute to the timeless tradition of using stationery as a means of expression, artvocacy, and artistic exploration, past and present.
Why Center + Celebrate Black Stationery Makers
- Black stationery creators + shop owners often face unique challenges and barriers in the industry. By highlighting our work and experiences, we can promote greater representation and inclusion within the stationery world.
- Black stationery often incorporates unique cultural elements, such as artwork, designs, and messages that reflect the rich heritage + experiences of the Black community. By celebrating this stationery, we also celebrate the multifacetedness + beauty of Black culture.
- By supporting Black-owned stationery businesses, we can help empower Black entrepreneurs + contribute to the economic prosperity of the community.
- By sharing the stories and experiences of Black stationery creators and shop owners, we can raise awareness about the importance of inclusion within the stationery industry, and inspire others to support + celebrate Black-owned businesses.
Elevating Black excellence and empowerment through stationery is essential to experiencing a stationery world that reflects and supports the richness of Black brilliance.
The Legacy of Black Stationers and Shop Owners
National Black Stationery Week is more than just a celebration of paper, planners, and pens – it’s an opportunity to explore the cultural legacy of visionaries, innovators, and trailblazers of the past and present.
- Augustus Washington: One of the first known Black stationers in the United States. He owned a successful stationery business in the 1800s and was also an accomplished daguerreotypist and photographer.
- William H. Dorsey: A prominent Black businessman in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, Dorsey owned a successful stationery and bookstore. He was also a well-known abolitionist and civil rights activist.
- Annie Minerva Turnbo-Malone: Although primarily known for her successful line of hair care products, Annie also owned a stationery and beauty shop in the early 1900s. She was one of the first Black American female millionaires. She was Madam C.J. Walker’s mentor and former employer.
- John Henry Murphy, Sr.: After his enslavement, Murphy founded the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper in 1892. He also owned a successful stationery and printing business.
- Louise E. Jackson: Jackson owned a stationery and gift shop in New York City in the 1920s. She was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance and used her shop as a meeting place for artists and intellectuals.
- William B. Purvis: Born in Pennsylvania he holds many patents: on January 7, 1890, Purvis received a patent for the fountain pen. The pen was a gamechanger, it eliminated the need for an ink bottle by storing ink within a reservoir within the pen which is then fed to the pen’s tip. Purvis said, “The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive construction of a fountain pen adapted to general use and which may be carried in the pocket.” In 1883, he received a patent for improving the hand stamp to replenish its own ink.
These trailblazers and many more have paved the way for the present and future generations of Black stationery creators and shop owners, and their contributions continue to inspire and empower the Black community and worldwide today.
Remembering Goodie’s Greetings
Cleven “Goodie” Goudeau (1932-2015)
He was a multi-faceted artist, and the creator of the first African American greeting card line in the United States in the 1960s. He created the first greeting card line that positively captured Black life. Get to know him in this one-minute video.
During Black History Month + Beyond
Get Involved
There are countless ways to participate in National Black Stationery Week and World Black Stationery Day:
- Attend Workshops and Events: Find a workshop or events dedicated to exploring the Black artistry and craftsmanship behind melanated-inspired stationery. From calligraphy classes to paper crafting workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- Share Your Story: Share your favorite Black stationery items and stationery-related stories if you’re on social media using the hashtags, #NatBlackStationeryWeek, #NationalBlackStationeryWeek, #WorldBlackStationeryDay, #CelebrateBlackStationery. Whether it’s a greeting card that makes you feel seen + heard, a gorgeous pen that ignites inspiration, or a journal that empowers self-compassion, we want to hear from you.
- Support Local Businesses: Show your support for local stationery businesses + artisans by shopping for Black stationery products during National Black Stationery Week (and all year round). Your purchases not only support small businesses but also contribute to the empowerment of Black entrepreneurs and creators in the stationery community.
- Give Back: Look for creative ways to donate stationery supplies to those in need + making a difference in your communities. Whether it’s providing notebooks to students or empowering aspiring artists with essential supplies, your generosity can empower others to reach their full potential.
As we celebrate National Black Stationery Week and World Black Stationery Day, let’s remember there’s something transformative about the power of Black excellence + empowerment in stationery.
So join us in amplifying Black brilliance.
Let your ideas shine and your voice be heard on the pages of possibility whether you’re a designer, printer, shop owner, seasoned stationery enthusiast, or you’re just beginning your stationery enthusiast journey.
So What is Stationery?
Stationery refers to a wide range of paper-based office supplies, writing materials, and related items that are used for various purposes, including writing, drawing, organizing, and crafting. Here’s a list of what stationery typically includes:
Writing Instruments:
- Pens: Ballpoint pens, gel pens, fountain pens, rollerball pens, felt-tip pens, etc.
- Pencils: Wooden pencils, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, graphite pencils, etc.
- Markers: Permanent markers, whiteboard markers, highlighters, brush markers, etc.
- Calligraphy pens: Dip pens, brush pens, fountain pens specifically designed for calligraphy.
- Chalk: Used on chalkboards or blackboards for writing or drawing.
Paper Products:
- Notebooks: Spiral-bound notebooks, hardcover notebooks, softcover notebooks, composition books, etc.
- Notepads: Memo pads, sticky notes, legal pads, desk pads, etc.
- Loose-leaf paper: Ruled, grid, dotted, or blank paper for various writing or printing purposes.
- Envelopes: Various sizes and styles used for mailing letters or documents.
- Stationery sets: Coordinated sets of paper and envelopes, often featuring matching designs or themes.
- Writing pads: Large sheets of paper used for writing or drawing, typically found on desks or tables.
- Postcards: Pre-printed cards for sending short messages or greetings.
Organizational Tools:
- Binders: Three-ring binders, D-ring binders, lever arch files, presentation binders, etc.
- Folders: File folders, pocket folders, manila folders, expanding folders, etc.
- Dividers: Index tabs, binder dividers, file dividers, page dividers, etc.
- File storage: Document trays, filing cabinets, file boxes, hanging file folders, etc.
- Planners and calendars: Daily planners, weekly planners, monthly planners, wall calendars, desk calendars, etc.
- Desk organizers: Pen holders, letter trays, desk caddies, drawer organizers, etc.
Art Supplies:
- Sketchbooks: Bound books with heavier paper, suitable for drawing or sketching.
- Painting supplies: Watercolor paper, canvases, acrylic paints, watercolor paints, brushes, palette knives, etc.
- Craft paper: Construction paper, cardstock, origami paper, scrapbooking paper, tissue paper, etc.
- Crafting tools: Scissors, glue, tape, rulers, cutting mats, paper punches, etc.
- Drawing supplies: Charcoal, pastels, graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, etc.
Accessories:
- Paper clips: Various sizes and styles used for holding papers together.
- Staplers and staples: Handheld staplers, desktop staplers, staple removers, etc.
- Rubber bands: Elastic bands used for bundling or securing items together.
- Push pins and thumbtacks: Used for posting or hanging papers on bulletin boards or walls.
- Correction supplies: Correction tape, correction fluid, erasers, white-out, etc.
Overall, stationery encompasses an array of tools and resources that facilitate communication, creativity, organization, and expression in both personal and collective contexts.
Again, I say, let’s uplift Black folks serving the community and world, while making a mark in stationery history.
DOWNLOAD + PRINT COLORING SHEETS
Print Youth Edition (or if you’re young at heart)
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Adult Edition
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Founder of National Black Stationery Week + World Black Stationery Day:
I’m Andrea “Pastor Angie” Palmer, a Black, autistic stationer, and the owner of Mohawkmomma Studio Boutique in Atlanta, GA. I’ve waited several years for an awareness week and day to spotlight stationery in the world of Black excellence + empowerment, but I could no longer wait another year. So, I decided that in 2024, I would be the one to promote + support Black stationery creators and shop owners in bringing this awareness week and day to life.
Soulful Giving and Living 