ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) — As Black History Month comes to a close, community leaders from around the Elmira area got together on Saturday, Feb. 28, for the third annual Black Community Honors Awards.

The event took place at the Meals on Wheels location in downtown Elmira, and the place was packed. The event honors those who have made contributions to the black community in and around the Elmira area.

This year, nine people were honored at the ceremony. Awards highlight everyone from business leaders to youth leaders in the community.

Organizers said each year, the event means so much to the community. They said they look forward to bringing it back every year.

“We are a community, and we need one another. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin, it doesn’t matter what side of town you live on, it doesn’t matter any of that,” said event organizer Rosland Geter. “It’s about community, it’s about loving on one another and being there for each other.”

The event featured kids paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. It also featured vocals from Vocal Essense of the Southern Tier (VEST).

“It’s been really fun. So we’re singing, we have a gospel group that’s gonna sing,” said VEST artistic and founding executive director Dr. Morgan Jolley. “We’re singing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and a beautiful surprise song to go with the opening monologues.”