President Barack Obama didn't attend the Black and White Reunion's 11th annual Summit Against Racism yesterday, but he was still part of the scene.

When reunion founder Tim Stevens sang "America the Beautiful," he said, "To many of us, it became a little more beautiful on the Fourth of November and on Tuesday," citing the days Mr. Obama was elected and inaugurated.

When Celeste Taylor, vice chairwoman of the Black Political Empowerment Project, presented a report on a racial equity monitoring project, she drew from Mr. Obama's victory speech, including this quote, "And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

When local hip-hop artist Jasiri X presented his videos, his words and pictures included Mr. Obama and his ongoing message of change.

More than 150 people came to East Liberty Presbyterian Church yesterday to discuss a range of topics, from racism in education institutions, prisons, health care and the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered community to using fair trade as an economic generator in neighborhoods.

Echoing Mr. Obama, the annual reunion's theme this year was "The Power of One to be the Change."

The Black and White Reunion was formed in an effort to build bridges between races and ethnic groups after black businessman Jonny Gammage died of asphyxiation during a traffic stop and confrontation with suburban police in 1995.

The summit each year is held near the national holiday honoring the late civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

Some participants had recently returned from Washington, D.C., after traveling there for Mr. Obama's inauguration.

Major Mason III, who is on the council of the reunion, wore an Obama T-shirt he got in Washington.

He said he was "giddy" at the event, adding, "It's been a long time coming. I'm glad it's here."

In the program book, Dr. Mason noted that the future isn't just up to Mr. Obama.

"We must do our part; we must make a commitment to focus our energy and our work on peace and justice for all," he wrote.