By ALFREDO ALVARADO

The legacies of jazz icon John Coltrane, poet Langston Hughes and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were commemorated by Locals 371, 375 and 1407 during their February celebrations of Black History Month.

Local 371's event took place at Cooper Union's Great Hall on Feb. 1, a date that also marked the 100th anniversary of Langston Hughes' birth.

Mr. Hughes was one of the leading literary voices of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s. The celebration featured the Charles Moore Youth Ensemble, trumpeter Roy Campbell's quartet and the internationally- acclaimed jazz pianist Randy Weston.

Mr. Campbell's performance featured music made popular by the late John Coltrane, acknowledged as one of the great innovators of jazz. "John Coltrane's music saved my life. I was lost before that," said Mr. Campbell, as he introduced his band.

Charles Ensley, president of SSEU Local 371, addressed the auditorium full of members and guests. "We're a fiercely independent and progressive union," said Mr. Ensley. "We understood a long time ago that the union is what makes us strong."

Also on hand were DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, City Council members Bill Perkins, James Davis and Al Vann, City Comptroller William Thompson, Congressman Major Owens, and the evening's keynote speaker, State Comptroller and gubernatorial candidate H. Carl McCall.

Black heroes celebrated
"Clearly, we've made progress," said Mr. McCall. "Today there are over 8,900 elected African American officials. Like Dr. King, we all have the responsibility to stand up and become involved in the political process."

Accountants and Actuaries Local 1407 held their celebration Feb. 11 at DC 37. Pastor Johnson of the Emanuel Pentecostal Church delivered the invocation, and the church's choir gave a stirring rendition of several classic gospel songs. Local President Maf Misbah Uddin and Mr. Thompson, the keynote speaker, talked about the contributions that African Americans have made to the labor movement and the United States.

"African Americans have helped make this nation a leader in the world today," said Mr. Uddin.
On Feb.20, Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375 held its 15th annual Black History Month celebration. Their keynote speaker was also Mr. Thompson.

"I'm honored to be the city's first African American comptroller," said Mr. Thompson. "But if that's all I am, then it's wasted." Mr. Thompson also welcomed the members back to their Barclay Street headquarters and pledged to work hard for all New Yorkers.

Vice Presidents Faye Moore and Beverly Mallory Brown co-chaired the committee that coordinated the SSEU Local 371 celebration. The Local 1407 event was emceed by Oriana McKenzie, and Local 375's celebration was led by Local 375 Black History Committee Chair Michelle Keller.