About ESPER

Esper Hayes	The Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER) was founded by Esper G. Hayes of Charlotte, North Carolina. She started the club based on a promise she made to the great Olympian Jesse Owens. Esper met the famous track star at a stamp show in the 70s. She stood in line for hours to get his autograph. When she got to the table, he stood up and shook her hand. She and Jesse were the only African Americans at the stamp show that day. During their conversation, Jesse mentioned that maybe Esper could do something to help Black people take pride in themselves, and she agreed. After his death in 1980, Esper turned her promise into a commitment.
The Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections, whose initials spell our founder's name, was organized in 1988 and is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the collecting of African Americans on stamps and the collecting of stamps by African Americans. The Society currently has close to 300 members throughout the United States and in other countries. Reflections, our award-winning quarterly newsletter, contains information and commentary about people of the African Diaspora on philatelic material from around the world. Reflections not only is an educational source of information but also provides an avenue for networking and stamp trading. Many members spend time visiting schools to share their knowledge with children. Others give presentations at stamp shows, local libraries, and civic centers to spread the hobby of philately and the history of African Americans. The organizational staff consists of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, three Directors at Large, Chapter Directors, and the Editor of Reflections.

1)	To promote and foster an interest in the collection and study of African Americans on philatelic material from the United States and other countries
2)	To introduce African Americans to the hobby of philately (stamp collecting) and to enhance their collecting experience; to encourage and support their interest and participation in all aspects of the hobby
3)	To help provide educational scholarships
4)	To promote Black history in local schools, libraries, and civic centers through stamp collecting
5)	To provide lectures and presentations at national and local philatelic events
6)	To help start youth philatelic clubs