Families are invited to learn about commemorative stamps featuring women throughout history as presented by expert philatelist Clarence McKnight. Learn about their contributions to the Civil Rights movement, and suffrage and equality, and social justice. In addition to examples from his collection, Mr. McKnight will present a PowerPoint about the stamps and the social justice champions who inspired them, and will be followed by guest speakers from the Montclair Chapter of NCNW (National Council of Negro Women, and young poets.

Don’t miss this chance to see Mr. McKnight’s singular collection up close! There will be refreshments and snacks. Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Registration recommended for updates and reminders.

“Come Celebrate With Me” is a year-long series of programming honoring 100 years of observing Black history in America. Founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, opening the door for additional annual commemorations such as Juneteenth, Black Music Month, Caribbean Heritage Month, Kwanzaa and more.

Montclair Public Library will honor the centennial of these commemorations in 2026 through a series of programs designed to engage and connect participants while highlighting and celebrating the experiences and contributions of people of African descent in the United States.

This exhibit is from the private collection of Clarence McKnight.
I’ve been collecting stamps since 1986. Over the years, I have presented at churches in
Essex and Bergen County. I also presented to youth groups such as, The Links, Jack
and Jill in Montclair and Englewood, New Jersey, Scouting groups in Montclair and
elementary schools in Northern New Jersey, New York and most recently in Maryland
and DC. Some of my presentations included Power Point and videos presentations. I’ve
also setup exhibits and gave presentations for Prudential Insurance in Hanover in New
Jersey, Hoffman Roche in Nutley, New Jersey, Municipality of East Orange and
Municipality of Perth Amboy, Perth Amboy Art Gallery, Newark Museum. Yogi Berra
Museum on Montclair University Campus, New Jersey, local libraries (Montclair,
Edison, Perth Amboy, East Orange and Newark), New York National Stamp show,
Rutgers University in Newark, Kean University, Passaic County Community College in
Wanaque and Passaic campus, Housing Authority of Passaic ( Senior Citizen Building)
Spree Village After School Program in Passaic, plus Post Offices in Hudson, Bergen,
Essex and Passaic Counties, Somerset Patriots Minor league baseball team for Negro
Baseball night. Throughout the years my exhibits are during African American History
Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month and Negro League Baseball.
I’m the former New Jersey State Director, editor of Reflections newsletter and board
member of The Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER), an
international stamp club promoting the collecting of African-Americans on stamps. I’m
the webmaster for the award-winning ESPER website. For more information visit:
ESPERSTAMPS.ORG Contact information: clarencmac@aol.com