A Stamp of Light
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
“Give light and people will find the way.” – Ella Baker
This month is Black History Month, which for me is the kickoff to celebrating Black Excellence all year long. Each day on my Facebook page, I highlight African Americans who have been featured on U.S. postage stamps. The series honoring African Americans is called the Black Heritage Series. Initiated in 1978, it is one of the USPS's longest-running and most popular stamp collections. As of 2024, the series comprises 47 stamps, each celebrating the achievements of notable African Americans. It is truly a blessing to honor these remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on history.
A stamp may seem small, but it’s powerful. It allows a message to travel from one destination to another. Much like a stamp, our light can carry someone from darkness to clarity, from confusion to purpose. Our light can nurture, create, and repair relationships.
Ella Baker: A Stamp of Light
Ella Baker, a giant in the Civil Rights Movement, was featured on a U.S. postage stamp issued on February 21, 2009, as part of the "Civil Rights Pioneers" series. Like many Black women, she was an unsung shero, but today I sing her song. Known for her collective leadership, deep listening, and encouragement of others’ gifts, she helped shape icons like John Lewis and Diane Nash.
Even in the face of racism, sexism, and ageism, Ella Baker transcended barriers with her spirit of community and collective leadership.
Mentorship: She nurtured the next generation of civil rights leaders, including John Lewis, Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, and Bob Moses.
Grassroots Organizing: She encouraged community-led change rather than reliance on charismatic leaders.
Voter Registration Campaigns: Baker was instrumental in organizing voter registration drives in the Deep South through the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP).
Bridge Between Generations: She connected older civil rights organizations (like the NAACP) with the younger, more radical SNCC.
Her unique gifts were many: visionary leadership, deep empathy, strategic organizing, and relentless persistence. Her nickname was "Fundi," a Swahili word for a person who passes skills and wisdom from one generation to another.
Ella Baker embodied giving light so others could find their way. As my pastor recently preached, “Her resume outlived her critics.” Her light lives on in the lives of those she empowered.
God’s Light in Our Lives
God calls us to be light in the world, but God doesn’t stop there—God also sends light into our lives through others. Sometimes it’s through a kind word, a gentle nudge, or the steady presence of a friend who guides us from darkness to clarity, from confusion to purpose.
So, I ask you today:
What stamp are you leaving on someone’s life?
What light are you bringing to help someone find their way?
What stamp has someone left on your life—who do you need to reconnect with for wisdom and truth spoken in love?
A Practical Invitation: Be a Stamp of Light
And here’s your invitation: Go old school. Write a card or send a letter. Add a stamp. Let that letter be a stamp of light, traveling to someone who may need it—a reminder that they are seen, valued, and loved.
Here are a few ways to be a stamp of light:
Through Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Support Black-owned businesses and pour resources into our communities.
Use your creativity: Inspire and uplift others through your gifts and talents.
Be a prayer warrior: Lift someone up in prayer, encouraging them when life feels heavy.
Speak life: Affirm someone’s gifts and remind them of their purpose.
Every stamp you send, every light you share, helps guide someone from darkness to clarity, from confusion to purpose. Be the light that leads the way.
Ella Baker was able to give light because of her deep-rooted faith. Her connection to Jesus Christ fueled her unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the well-being of others. She lived out her faith not just in words but through her actions—embodying servant leadership and the love of Christ in the work she did. Her life was a reflection of her belief that faith without works is dead. Through her organizing, mentoring, and advocacy, she carried the light of Christ into dark places, empowering others to rise and find their own way.
Let us embody the spirit of the One who guided and led Ella Baker. Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who taught us to serve, love, and be light to the world.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the light You place within us and the light You send into our lives through others. Help us to shine brightly and be a blessing to those around us. Show us how to be stamps of light, may we be a Fundi ,spreading encouragement, joy, and hope passing on to the next generation. May we, like Ella Baker, live out our faith through servant leadership, helping others find their way.Amen.