"I'm a little cog in a big wheel...you are cogs in a wheel too. You must make a difference," Johnson said.

In addition to Johnson, the event honored four black Harvard men, one from each undergraduate class, for their achievements.

The association took nominations for the awards, and chose James C. Coleman '03, Hakeem Rahim '02, Brandon K. Walston '01 and Adeyemi K. Delbridge '00 as its honorees.

A black male senior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School also received a partial scholarship at the event.

The awards ceremony was interspersed with performances, including an original poetry recitation by Rahim, two dance numbers by the Harvard-Radcliffe Caribbean Club Dance Troupe, presentations by various fraternities and a saxophone solo.

Earlier in the day, Johnson participated in a roundtable discussion with ABHW members. Johnson also met with former Wyoming senator Alan K. Simpson, director of the Kennedy School's Institute of Politics.

The talent show and awards presentations are part of a larger series of events taking place this week as the Tribute to Black Men.

The Tribute to Black Men includes film screenings, discussions and a party Saturday, with admission free for black men arriving before 11 p.m.