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Private sector employment increased by 122,000 jobs in July and annual pay was up 4.8 percent year-over-year, according to the July ADP^® National Employment Report™ produced by the ADP Research Institute^® in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab (“Stanford Lab“). The ADP National Employment Report is an independent measure and high-frequency view of the private-sector labor market based on actual, anonymized payroll data of more than 25 million U.S. employees.

The jobs report and pay insights use ADP’s fine-grained anonymized and aggregated payroll data to provide a representative picture of the private-sector labor market. The report details the current month’s total private employment change, and weekly job data from the previous month. Because the underlying ADP payroll databases are continuously updated, the report provides a high-frequency, near real-time measure of U.S. employment. This measure reflects the number of employees on ADP client payrolls (Payroll Employment) to provide a richer understanding of the labor market. ADP’s pay measure uniquely captures the earnings of a cohort of almost 10 million employees over a 12-month period.

“With wage growth abating, the labor market is playing along with the Federal Reserve’s effort to slow inflation,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “If inflation goes back up, it won’t be because of labor.”

July 2024 Report Highlights*

View the ADP National Employment Report and interactive charts at www.adpemploymentreport.com.

JOBS REPORT

Private employers added 122,000 jobs in July
Job creation edged down as pay gains continued to slow.

Change in U.S. Private Employment:     122,000

Change by Industry Sector

– Goods-producing:     37,000

• Natural resources/mining     2,000

• Construction     39,000

• Manufacturing     -4,000

– Service-providing:     85,000

• Trade/transportation/utilities     61,000

• Information     -18,000

• Financial activities     14,000

• Professional/business services     -37,000

• Education/health services     22,000

• Leisure/hospitality     24,000

• Other services     19,000

Change by U.S. Regions

– Northeast:     21,000

• New England     -2,000

• Middle Atlantic     23,000

– Midwest:     17,000

• East North Central     21,000

• West North Central     -4,000

– South:     55,000

• South Atlantic     32,000

• East South Central     2,000

• West South Central     21,000

– West:     32,000

• Mountain     16,000

• Pacific     16,000

Change by Establishment Size

– Small establishments:     -7,000

• 1-19 employees     15,000

• 20-49 employees     -22,000

– Medium establishments:     70,000

• 50-249 employees     55,000

• 250-499 employees     15,000

– Large establishments:     62,000

• 500+ employees     62,000

PAY INSIGHTS

Pay gains slowed in July
Year-over-year pay gains for job-stayers slowed to 4.8 percent in July, the slowest pace of growth in three years. Job-changers saw a big drop, with pay gains slowing to 7.2 percent from 7.7 percent.

Median Change in Annual Pay (ADP matched person sample)

– Job-Stayers     4.8%

– Job-Changers     7.2%

Median Change in Annual Pay for Job-Stayers by Industry Sector

– Goods-producing:                                                       

• Natural resources/mining     4.0%

• Construction     5.3%

• Manufacturing     4.7%

– Service-providing:                                               

• Trade/transportation/utilities     4.6%

• Information     4.4%

• Financial activities     5.0%

• Professional/business services     4.7%

• Education/health services     5.2%

• Leisure/hospitality     4.9%

• Other services     5.0%

Median Change in Annual Pay for Job-Stayers by Firm Size

– Small firms:                                                                

• 1-19 employees     4.1%

• 20-49 employees     4.7%

– Medium firms:                                                             

• 50-249 employees     5.0%

• 250-499 employees     4.9%

– Large firms:                                                                

• 500+ employees     4.8%

To see Pay Insights by U.S. State, Gender, and Age for Job-Stayers, visit here:

* Sum of components may not equal total, due to rounding.

The June total of jobs added was revised from 150,000 to 155,000. The historical data file, and weekly data for the previous month, is available at https://adpemploymentreport.com/.

To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about the ADP National Employment Report, including employment and pay data, interactive charts, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://adpemploymentreport.com/.    

The August 2024 ADP National Employment Report will be released at 8:15 a.m. ET on September 5, 2024.

Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI), has published its 2Q 2024 Atlanta Retail Investment market report.

“The Atlanta retail market continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, supported by strong demographic trends and steady demand for retail space, particularly in the suburbs,” stated John Leonard, first vice president/regional manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Atlanta office.

Marcus & Millichap’s 2Q Atlanta Retail Market Report provides investors with vital insight and analysis on the current state of the Atlanta retail market sector, including:

• Atlanta’s population is expected to grow by nearly 70,000 people this year, with a net in-migration of 45,000 individuals. This population increase is bolstering the local retail environment, particularly in suburban areas.

• Metro-wide retail vacancy rates have decreased to 3.9%, continuing a downward trend that began in July 2021. The strongest performance was observed in Buckhead, where multi-tenant property vacancy dropped to 0.4%.

• The average asking rent in Atlanta has risen to $20.75 per square foot, representing a significant 37% increase since the end of 2019. The growth is particularly pronounced in submarkets with sub-2.5% vacancy rates, such as Buckhead and the West Metropolitan area.

• Retail construction completions are projected to reach their lowest level since 2013, with notable projects like the High Street Atlanta phase in the Central Perimeter leading this year’s developments.

• Despite elevated borrowing costs, Atlanta remains attractive to investors, with strong sales activity in suburban areas and a year-over-year increase in the average sale price for multi-tenant properties.

“The ongoing population growth and strong performance in key submarkets underscore Atlanta’s position as a robust retail environment, even amidst broader economic challenges,” added Leonard.

 

The Carter Center is excited to announce “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song,” a musical event celebrating the centennial birthday of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The landmark concert, taking place Sept. 17, 2024, at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre, will feature world-renowned artists performing live tributes and special guests celebrating President Carter’s legacy of service to humanity. Tickets are $100 — in honor of Carter’s 100th birthday — and are available to the public at FoxTheatre.org/JimmyCarter100 starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 5. 

“Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song” will feature renowned voices from pop, rock, gospel, country, jazz, hip-hop, and classical music. Acts set to perform include Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, The War And Treaty, and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. Emmy award-winner Rickey Minorwill be the musical director for the show, which will feature appearances by celebrity guests including Dale Murphy, Killer Mike, and Sean Penn. Additional artists and presenters will be announced soon. 

“Whether it was on his record player, on the campaign trail, or on the White House lawn, music has been – and continues to be – a source of joy, comfort, and inspiration for my grandfather,” said Jason Carter, President Carter’s grandson and chair of the Carter Center Board of Trustees. “I can think of no better way to celebrate him and his 100th birthday than a night of music.”

Delta Air Lines is the presenting sponsor for this event, which will benefit the Center’s peace and health work around the world. 

The concept of a concert to honor Georgia’s favorite son was born from his love of music, which has played a significant role in his life and career. During Jimmy Carter’s successful 1976 presidential campaign, famous acts such as the Allman Brothers rallied to his message of change, honesty, and character. 

“Back when Jimmy Carter was running for president, the Allman Brothers played concerts for his campaign because we believed in his vision for hope and change for America. We could never have imagined what a positive impact he would have on the entire world,” said Chuck Leavell, former keyboardist for the Allman Brothers and the Rolling Stones. “It’s an honor to play at his 100th birthday and celebrate a man whose legacy will surely continue to inspire future generations.” 

“Delta is honored to celebrate the 100th birthday of former President Jimmy Carter and to support The Carter Center in its work to wage peace, fight disease, and build hope as part of our commitment to keep climbing toward a more just and equitable world,” said Tad Hutcheson, managing director – community engagement. “Giving back to the communities where we live, work, and serve has been core to Delta and our culture for nearly 100 years, and we are proud to work with respected partners like The Carter Center to help care for the planet and people within it.” 

Concert Details: 

“Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song,” hosted by The Carter Center and presented by Delta Air Lines, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Tickets are available to the public starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 5. Tickets are $100 (excluding taxes and fees) — in honor of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday — and are available at FoxTheatre.org/JimmyCarter100. Proceeds from the event will support The Carter Center, continuing Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s work to promote peace and improve health around the world. The event will be executive produced by the award-winning team at ROK Productions and Diversified Production Services (DPS), with Elizabeth Kelly and Carly Vaknin serving as executive producers.  

A further celebration of President Carter’s birthday is the crowd-building of a new digital mosaic from images, videos, and messages sent in by the public. Add yours at CarterCenter.org/JimmyCarter100.

With over 7.7 million Airbnb listings, knowing how to stand out from the crowd can be a challenge. You’re also competing with seemingly endless hotel rooms. One simple maneuver for…

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index^® rose in July to 100.3 (1985=100), from a downwardly revised 97.8 in June. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—declined to 133.6 from 135.3 last month. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—improved in July to 78.2. That’s up from 72.8 in June but still below 80 (the threshold which usually signals a recession ahead). The cutoff date for the preliminary results was July 22, 2024.

“Confidence increased in July, but not enough to break free of the narrow range that has prevailed over the past two years,” said Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. “Even though consumers remain relatively positive about the labor market, they still appear to be concerned about elevated prices and interest rates, and uncertainty about the future; things that may not improve until next year.”

“Compared to last month, consumers were somewhat less pessimistic about the future. Expectations for future income improved slightly, but consumers remained generally negative about business and employment conditions ahead. Meanwhile, consumers were a bit less positive about current labor and business conditions. Potentially, smaller monthly job additions are weighing on consumers’ assessment of current job availability: while still quite strong, consumers’ assessment of the current labor market situation declined to its lowest level since March 2021.”

“In July, confidence improved among consumers under 35 and those 55 and older; only the 35-54 age group saw a decline. On a six-month moving average basis, confidence remained the highest among consumers under 35. On a month-over-month basis, no clear pattern emerged in terms of income groups. On a six-month moving average basis, consumers making over $100K were the most confident, but the gap with other groups narrowed.”

Peterson added: “The proportion of consumers predicting a forthcoming recession ticked up in July but remains well below the 2023 peak. Consumers’ assessments of their Family’s Financial Situation—both currently and over the next six months—was less positive. Indeed, assessments of familial finances have deteriorated continuously since the beginning of 2024.” (These measures are not included in calculating the Consumer Confidence Index^®.)

Average 12-month inflation expectations remained stable at 5.4 percent in July, compared to a peak of 7.9 percent reported in 2022. The share of consumers expecting higher interest rates over the next 12 months dropped for the second month in a row to 50.3 percent—the lowest since February 2024. Meanwhile, consumers were positive about the stock market, with 49.1 percent expecting stock prices to increase over the year ahead (the highest share since March), 23.5 percent expecting a decrease, and 27.4 percent expecting no change.

July’s write-in responses showed that elevated prices, especially for food and groceries, and inflation (the rate of change in prices), remain the key drivers of consumers’ views of the economy, followed by US political situation and the labor market. Mentions about the forthcoming elections increased, although the share of respondents believing the 2024 election would impact the economy was lower than write-ins from July 2016.

On a six-month moving average basis, purchasing plans for homes fell to a 12-year low. While buying plans for cars were little changed, buying plans for most big-ticket appliances increased slightly. Additionally, more consumers reported plans to buy a smartphone or laptop/PC in the next six months.

Based on a supplemental question, planned spending on services appeared weaker in July 2024 than in July 2023. Consumers said they plan to spend less over the next six months on many discretionary items, including gambling, amusement parks, and personal travel. They also plan to purchase less expensive services—for example, streaming instead of going to the movies. The planned reduction in services spending was across the board, but consumers continued to prioritize non-discretionary expenditures like healthcare and motor vehicle services.

Present Situation
Consumers’ assessment of current business conditions was slightly less positive in July.

• 18.8% of consumers said business conditions were “good,” down slightly from 18.9% in June.

• 18.3% said business conditions were “bad,” up from 18.1%.

Consumers’ appraisal of the labor market deteriorated in July.

• 34.1% of consumers said jobs were “plentiful,” down from 35.5% in June.

• 16.0% of consumers said jobs were “hard to get,” up from 15.7%.

Expectations Six Months Hence  
Consumers were more optimistic about the short-term business conditions outlook in July.

• 14.8% of consumers expected business conditions to improve, up from 13.2% in June.

• 16.7% expected business conditions to worsen, down from 17.6%.

Consumers’ assessment of the short-term labor market outlook was less negative in July.

• 14.5% of consumers expected more jobs to be available, up from 13.1% in June.

• 16.7% anticipated fewer jobs, down from 18.3%.

Consumers’ assessment of their short-term income prospects was less pessimistic in July.

• 15.6% of consumers expected their incomes to increase, down from 16.2% in June.

• 11.6% expected their incomes to decrease, also down from 12.3%.

Assessment of Family Finances and Recession Risk

• Consumers’ assessment of their Family’s Current Financial Situation weakened in July. 

• Consumers’ assessment of their Family’s Financial Situation going forward was less optimistic.

• Consumers’ Perceived Likelihood of a US Recession over the Next 12 Months remains well below its 2023 peak. 

Consumers planned to spend less on discretionary services over the next six months.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey^®, based on an online sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Toluna, a technology company that delivers real-time consumer insights and market research through its innovative technology, expertise, and panel of over 36 million consumers. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was July 22.

Source: July 2024 Consumer Confidence Survey^®
The Conference Board

The Conference Board publishes the Consumer Confidence Index^® at 10 a.m. ET on the last Tuesday of every month. Subscription information and the technical notes to this series are available on The Conference Board website: https://www.conference-board.org/data/consumerdata.cfm.

Six Degrees Atlanta’s Black-owned and Millennial led, cultural marketing agency is the recipient of Ad Age’s Gold Award for Small Agency of the Year, Southeast, an annual celebration of the year’s foremost independent and small-scale shops in the marketing industry with fewer than 150 employees. The distinguished award recognizes Six Degrees impressive work across experiential, social and brand strategy guiding some of the largest global brands and talent that drives pop-culture forward from HBO, Amazon, NFL, Drake, Pandora, Lil Baby, Footlocker, Doja Cat, Lebron James and more.

This year’s winners were pulled from a list of hundreds of entries from the U.S and globally, representing some of the best and brightest independent agencies and executives, along with their most creative and effective campaigns.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Ad Age team for all the work we do that combines cultural insights with innovative thinking and strategy that truly elevates our brand partners,” said Founder Brian Wright of Six Degrees Marketing. “I am beyond proud and grateful for every individual on my team who have helped us get to where we are today.”

The Ad Age Small Agency Awards recognize standout independent agencies with fewer than 150 employees that are producing both noteworthy creative work and strong business results. The awards program is run in tandem with the Small Agency Conference, a two-day event that offers hands-on business advice tailored to the needs of small agencies on topics such as how to compete for new business, how to win at recruiting, how to deal with client procurement departments and more.

“The work and talent that comes from these indie agencies never ceases to amaze our judges,” said Judann Pollack, Ad Age executive editor. “Their growth strategies, smart expansion of capabilities and new-business acumen prove that these agencies are adapting and thriving in a world of projects, in-housing and fractional marketing leadership at clients.”

Complete results of the Ad Age Small Agency Awards including company profiles, can be found at https://adage.com/smallagencyawards2024 . It includes an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area and other criteria.

“Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reliable infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth… In the months and years ahead, hardworking Georgians will see further improvements to the roads and bridges they drive each day.” – Governor Brian P. Kemp

Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced a transformative $1.5 billion investment in Georgia’s transportation infrastructure.

Supported by Georgia’s business-friendly General Assembly, this investment more than doubles the state’s funding to cities and counties for local transportation infrastructure. It provides an increase in funding for general aviation airports, allows more state highways to be resurfaced, accelerates the completion of key transportation projects already underway, and kickstarts new strategic projects to prepare for Georgia’s future.

Why it matters: 

Economic Growth, Job Creation: This investment will not only improve Georgia’s roads and airports but also create thousands of jobs, driving economic growth across the state.

Enhanced Safety, Efficiency: By resurfacing highways and accelerating key projects, roads will be safer, reducing accidents, and making commutes and logistics corridors more efficient.

Business Appeal: With better infrastructure, Georgia becomes an even more attractive destination for businesses looking to relocate or expand, ensuring long-term economic prosperity.

Futureproofing: Strategic projects will prepare Georgia for future growth, ensuring state infrastructure can keep pace with increasing population and commercial activity.

Cost Effective: This funding will help manage higher construction costs due to federal inflation, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget – a Georgia fiscal priority.

 

Courtesy Georgia Department of Transportation.

How will the additional $1.5 billion be spent?

Local Roads Funding ($250 million) – more than doubles State funding for every city and county for local transportation investments.

Capital Construction ($593 million) – increases Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) capital construction program by 58% to help manage cost increases due to inflation and expediting projects in GDOT’s existing pipeline of projects. Funding will help accelerate 24 projects by a total of 43 years.

Capital Maintenance ($50 million) – increases GDOT’s capital maintenance budget by 32% to resurface state highways around the state.

Airport Aid ($98 million) – advances improvements at various general aviation airports.

Freight Program ($500 million) – funds a new program that includes 18 projects devoted to freight-carrying infrastructure, which will improve efficiency, safety, and reliability for the transportation of goods across Georgia.

This investment reinforces why Georgia has been named a Top State for Business for the last decade. This funding bolsters continued investments by the award-winning GDOT. The state further supports the growth of businesses through the Georgia Center of Innovation logistics team, which helps Georgia companies leverage resources in the state to develop more efficient supply chain strategies.

Connect with our business professionals to learn more.

 

Charity Hamidullah’s “How We Grew Together” 

Atlanta Beltline’s 2024 Atlanta Beltline Art exhibition season continues to unfold with the installation of three new visual art works along the trail. 

• Charity Hamidullah’s “How We Grew Together” (Images)
  Location: Northeast Trail, (Piedmont Park, Under the Park Drive Bridge)
  “How we grew together” is a reflection of multidisciplinary artist Charity Hamidullah’s time experiencing the Beltline and the community of Atlanta. She believes we are connected not only by this space but this city — together amongst beautiful differences. Charity has been living and creating in Atlanta since 2011. Her work began as a tattoo artist where she assisted in helping clients honor their identity through body adornment. Her admiration for community soon transformed her canvas with hopes to inspire and uplift more individuals. Hamidullah utilizes color and figurative and environmental elements to illustrate stories of identity, empowerment, and growth while uniting spaces with the love language of art.

• Aziza Andre’s “RENASCENT”  (Images)

  Location: Southeast Trail, 680 Hamilton Ave. (The Penman)
  RENASCENT is a series of murals that serve as a dynamic tribute to the often-overlooked history of Black cowboys in the South, shining a light on their contributions and unyielding spirit. The artwork also highlights the integral role of women’s agricultural work and their enduring connection with horses. Aziza has become known for her portrait work inspired by sequential art and traditional realism. Her creative approach involves utilizing her fondness for traditional painting styles and merging them with bold colors and contemporary art elements. 

• Asian American Advocacy Fund’s “Threads of Justice” (Images)

  Location: Eastside Trail opposite Ladybird and the Bicycle Barn

  “Threads of Justice” is a project of the Asian American Advocacy Fund’s Artivism Lab, which combines art and activism to lift Asian American voices. Twelve talented local artists created denim works that are featured on thebanner to explore the connection between art and activism and offer a new way to look at Asian American experiences.

  Each piece along the banner tells a story of resilience. From facing the Chinese Exclusion Act to enduring the Japanese internment camps and the recent rise in anti-Asian violence, “Threads of Justice” honors these stories and shows how justice and belonging can be reimagined for the future by learning from the past. The artists used denim, a fabric representing American culture, to create various pieces that highlight the diversity within the Asian American community. Before finding its temporary home on the Eastside Trail, several galleries, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, displayed this piece. Art on the Atlanta Beltline will proudly display “Threads of Justice” on the trail for at least 30 days.

The U.S. Postal Service today dedicated the Hank Aaron stamp during a ceremony at Truist Park in Atlanta. The new forever stamp is now being sold at Post Offices nationwide and online at usps.com/shopstamps.

“We hope this stamp serves as a reminder of Hank Aaron’s success on the baseball diamond and his work to champion equality,” said Thomas Marshall, the Postal Service’s general counsel and executive vice president, who served as the dedicating official. “Whether it’s breaking baseball’s most famous record or opening the door for future generations, Henry ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ Aaron inspires all of us to swing for the fences.”

Marshall was joined by Terry McGuirk, chairman and CEO of Braves Holdings LLC, the parent company of the Atlanta Braves and Braves Development Co.; Howard Bryant, author of “The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron“; and Allan Tanenbaum, secretary, Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, and attorney/advisor for the Aaron family.

“I’m deeply grateful for this phenomenal recognition the United States Postal Service has bestowed upon my beloved husband, Henry Louis Aaron,” said Billye Suber Aaron, widow, and chair of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation. “We sincerely appreciate all who join us as we honor the 50th anniversary of his historic achievement. I hope that his stamp will inspire a new generation to remember Henry for his incredible grace and determination in the face of tremendous opposition. Henry will live on forever in our hearts and minds, and to have a stamp prominently bear his likeness is an honor fitting the wonderful man we love so dearly.”

News about the stamp is being shared on social media using the hashtag #HankAaronStamp.

Background

A giant of baseball both on and off the field, Aaron (1934-2021) rose from humble beginnings to rewrite the baseball record books while prevailing in the face of racism. Despite retiring nearly 50 years ago, Aaron still holds the record for most RBIs, total bases and Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearances while remaining in the top five in many other categories. He spent 21 years as a member of the Braves organization — first in Milwaukee, where he led the team to the 1957 World Series title — then in Atlanta, where he hit home run No. 715 on the night of April 8, 1974, one of the seminal moments in the history of the game. Aaron closed his career with the Milwaukee Brewers before being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

Henry Louis Aaron was born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Mobile, AL, as the third of eight children living in a three-room house built by his father. As a boy, unable to afford equipment, he would play using a stick to hit bottle caps. After hearing his idol Jackie Robinson speak in Mobile in 1948, Aaron dedicated himself to becoming a professional baseball player. Aaron played local semi-pro ball around Alabama before joining the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. In 1952, his only season in the league, he led the Negro American League with a staggering .467 batting average.

In 1952, Aaron signed with Major League Baseball’s Boston Braves organization and was assigned to their farm team, the Eau Claire Bears, in the Northern League. He started his career as an infielder and was named rookie of the year. The next season he was assigned to Jacksonville in the segregated South, where he was one of five players to break the South Atlantic League color barrier. They were forced to stay in different accommodations than their white teammates and, during games, he faced racial taunts. Nonetheless, he led the league in batting average and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Following a move to the outfield, Aaron earned a spot on the Milwaukee Braves major league roster to start the 1954 season. He made his debut on April 13, 1954, and hit his first home run on April 23. At age 20, Aaron finished fourth in voting for the Rookie of the Year Award, hitting .280 with 13 home runs — the lowest number of homers he would hit for the next 20 years.

In 1955, Aaron donned his iconic number 44 for the first time and made his first Major League Baseball all-star team. The following season, he won his first batting title, with an average of .328. In 1957, “Hammerin’ Hank” had a season for the ages. He led baseball with 44 home runs and 132 runs batted in on the way to being named national league most valuable player. The Braves clinched their first pennant on Aaron’s 11th-inning home run on Sept. 23, 1957. In the World Series, he hit .393 with three home runs as the Braves beat the Yankees in seven games to win their first World Series title.

Aaron continued to produce at an extraordinary rate, but his team struggled. The franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966, becoming the first major league team south of the Mason-Dixon line, placing additional spotlight on their Black star player.

On July 21, 1973, Aaron hit his 700th career homer, and as Aaron approached Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs, he received more than 900,000 pieces of mail that year. While most of it was in support of his pursuit, it also included many pieces threatening terrible violence against Aaron and his family.

On April 8, 1974, in front of a sellout crowd in Atlanta and a national television audience, Aaron sent a fastball 400 feet over the left-center fence for his 715th career home run, making him the holder of baseball’s most cherished record. While the event will be remembered by generations of baseball fans as one of triumph, breaking the record was more of a relief than a celebration for Aaron, who endured so much hate on the chase to 715.

After the close of the 1974 season, he was traded back to the city where his career began, this time playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. His final home run came July 20, 1976, bringing his career total to 755. With his playing career behind him, Aaron was named vice president of player development with the Braves. He was one of the first African Americans to be promoted to a front office position in Major League Baseball and he pushed for more African American executives in the game. In 1994, Aaron and his wife Billye started the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation to provide scholarships to underserved youth.

For his achievements on and off the field, Aaron received numerous awards. In 1982, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and in 1999, Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to honor the best offensive player in each league. In 2002, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Three years later, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund presented him with the Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award and established the Hank Aaron Humanitarian in Sports Award in his honor.

Aaron died on Jan. 22, 2021, at the age of 86. Later that year, when the Braves won the World Series, their championship ring honored Aaron by featuring 44 emerald cut diamonds and a total of 755 diamonds. Following his passing, the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball established the Henry Louis Aaron Fund to continue to support Aaron’s life-long passion to increase minority participation in baseball on the field and in front offices.

Succeeding amid racism at every step of his career, Hank Aaron took the torch from Jackie Robinson and carried it to levels unseen in the game of baseball. He produced a Hall of Fame career and continued breaking ground off the field. Aaron’s trailblazing life transcends the game of baseball and provides a constant source of inspiration for generations who follow in his footsteps.

Stamp Design

The stamp art features a portrait of Aaron as a member of the Atlanta Braves, based on a 1968 photo, showing Aaron’s famous right-handed batting stance from the waist up.

In the selvage is a digital painting of Aaron watching the ball he just hit for his record-breaking 715th home run, based on a 1974 photo by Harry Harris.

Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp and pane with original art by Chuck Styles and typography by Kevin Cantrell.

The Hank Aaron stamp is being issued in panes of 20. The Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

A video about the stamps will be posted after today’s event on the Postal Service’s Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, pages at facebook.com/USPS and x.com/usps.