Adeyemi Owolewa, a student at Boston Latin School who plans to enter the College this fall with the Class of 2007, received the Black Men of Achievement Scholarship.

And Kevin Powell, a writer and political activist who was a founding staff member at Vibe magazine, received the group’s annual Vanguard Award for his exceptional leadership.

In his keynote address, Powell celebrated black men but also used the opportunity to address self-hatred wit, affirmative action and notions of manhood. Powell also reminded the black men present of the significance of their role as college students in the greater black community.

“You’re going to school for all the others who can’t go,” he said.

The Boston-based Silimbo D’Adeane West African Dance and Drum Company encouraged audience members to participate in the traditional dance as they performed on stage.

Though the tribute has been held at Harvard in previous years, this year coordinators chose an off-campus venue.

But attendance did not suffer, Levy said, noting that the audience of approximately 200 was “perfect for the type of genuine exchange we encourage with this tribute.”

The ABHW event follows the BMF’s annual presentation of its “woman of the year” award this March. Actress Phylicia Rashad, best known for her role opposite Bill Cosby on “The Cosby Show,” received this year’s award.

—Staff writer Cassandra Cummings can be reached at cummings@fas.harvard.edu.