The Elmont community celebrated Black History Month on Sunday with a collaboration of song and spoken word, sponsored by Elmont Online and ECAP, at the Elmont Public Library Theater. The celebration marked the fifth annual event and occurred in a year when the United States is about to make history.

The Democratic Party is about to make history by nominating either Hillary Clinton, a woman, or Barack Obama, a man of African-American descent, as its presidential candidate. Perhaps it is a sign of the strides that women and African Americans have made in this country.

In order to reflect on the contributions that many Americans have made to further the social justice of blacks in the society, it is necessary to honor those who have been the pioneers of social change in America and in honoring them, recognize individuals who have continued their legacy. That's just what the community of Elmont did on Sunday.

The Elmont Black History Month celebration began five years ago. It was a vision of Aubrey Phillips, who is a member of the Elmont School Board and Sewanhaka Central School District Board of Education. Phillips and many community members, including those who serve on the Black History Month Committee, which is also comprised of Allyson Phillips, Carol Parker Duncanson, Scott Cushing, Norma DeBartolo, Cheryl Lee and Sandra Smith, have ensured that the contributions of black Americans over the years has not been forgotten and those who continue to make contributions for the betterment of society doesn't go unnoticed.

As part of the celebration, Assemblyman Tom Alfano presented three 21st Assembly District Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards to Elmont Memorial High School senior Ian Feurtado, Dutch Broadway School Principal Walter Aksionoff and Clara H. Carlson School Principal Kenneth Rosner.

Feurtado, who is among the top students at Elmont Memorial and a leader in his class, spoke about the impact Dr. King continues to have on young people. "He paved the way for me, along with millions of scholars and people around the world, to dream the impossible dream. He made it possible for me to stand and believe that I could one day become the president of the United States and it would not appear unimaginable," Feurtado said.

Another deserving recipient was Aksionoff, who has been principal of the Dutch Broadway School for the past 16 years. Aksionoff, as well as his colleague Rosner, another recipient, are charged, along with members of their staff, with the education of children who have families that come from all parts of the world. In their respective schools, they teach that the schools can be microcosms of society, where every child can learn together in peace.

Another highlight of the Black History Month celebration is the presentation of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Award. Dr. Woodson was an integral force in the preservation of black history. This year, the award was given to Dr. Sydney McCalla, who is chief of breast surgery at Lincoln Medical/Mental Health Center. Dr. McCalla, who provides surgical breast care to medically underserved communities, is an example of community leaders who continue to keep the contributions of such men as Dr. Woodson alive. "I am humbled to be considered for such an award that bears the name of such a pioneer," Dr. McCalla said.

Prior to the awards ceremony, a roundtable discussion involving Assemblyman Alfano, Randall Clarke, Hugh Hamilton and Elmont Superintendent of Schools Al Harper and moderated by Aubrey Phillips, was held. A major topic that was touched upon was the right to vote and social justice. As this 2008 presidential election heats up, a theme that is important among young people is the importance of voting and believing they have a voice rather than being alienated from the process.

"Young people need to understand that they matter," said Harper.

Assemblyman Alfano said he doesn't see voting as a chore but rather as a civic responsibility and doesn't believe that alienation exists in the Elmont Schools.

Clarke, a graduate of Elmont Memorial High School, a student at Queens College, believes there will be a big turnout of young people this election because of Obama. He urged people to remember Dr. King when voting. "Forget that Obama is black or Clinton is a woman and take the time to see what they're about," he said.

Despite all of the strides African Americans have made over the last century, some still wonder if this country has achieved racial equality. Hamilton, the host of the radio program "Talk Back!" on WBAI99.5 FM, referenced a study by United For a Fair Economy that points out that there are still wide gaps between white and black families when it comes to economics. The study, Shifting Fortunes: The Perils of the Growing American Wealth Gap by Chuck Collins, Betsy Leondar-Wright and Holly Sklar, states that in 1998, the black median household income of $25,351 is still only 60 percent of the median white household income of $42,439 and, in 1995, the typical white household had $18,000 in financial wealth (net worth minus equity in owner-occupied housing), the typical black household had just $200.