The gathering of 200 union members offers a hearty rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly known as the Black National Anthem.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew and UFT African Heritage Committee Chair Wendy Walker-Wilson flank union Treasurer Debra Penny, who received the group’s top honor, the Trailblazer Award, for getting benefits for the families of members who died of COVID-19 and for winning paraprofessionals the right to be part of the city’s Teachers’ Retirement System.

Nathaniel Wilcox, a physical education teacher at P4 @ 179Q in Fresh Meadows, gets some attention after winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Award for teacher excellence.

Brooklyn state Sen. Jabari Brisport, with his beaming mom, Andrea McIntosh, is the Frederick Douglass Award recipient for his work with LGBTQ students and those who live in alternative housing.

Wendy Walker-Wilson posthumously honors Shelly Vilsaint for her “dedication and commitment” to students at Frederick Douglass Academy III in the Bronx with a presentation to her children.

Your Queens Inc. presents some spirited live entertainment.

Chapter Leader Paula Thomas (standing, right), joins her colleagues to cheer for an honoree from P4 @ 179Q.

Hans Marryshow, the chapter leader at P256Q at Beach Channel HS, likes what he’s hearing.

Sandra Wallace (left), a school nurse at Brooklyn Ascend Middle School, enjoys the evening with her daughter, Roseann (center), and her chapter leader, Cynthia Bennett.

Shelvy Young-Abrams is honored for her many years of service as chair of the union’s Paraprofessionals Chapter.

Ramat Olasunkanmi, a senior at Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning HS in Brooklyn, accepts the Armando Blasse Scholarship Award and a laptop computer.