It was a day for togetherness. A day for looking back.

It was a day for African drumming, for uplifted voices to honor ancestors in unison, to proudly sing the Black National Anthem, to dance and sway to Motown music.

Tuesday was a day to remember the contribution of the city’s African-American residents and acknowledge the nation has come a long way in addressing issues of racial equality, but still has a long way to go. At the fourth Black History Month Senior Celebration, more than 500 seniors filled Prince Hall Grand Lodge, a Masonic temple in Dorchester.

In the room were people who participated in the civil rights movement. There were activists, business leaders, Boston public school teachers, longtime friends, and neighbors.

“These were the watchdogs of the community,’’ said Diane Webb, 63. “Somebody was always looking out for you. We need that again in the community.

“The people here, the seniors, they have the wisdom.’’

They’re the wisdom bearers, as Thelma Burns, a member of the committee that planned the event, called them.

Before lunch, Burns rang a bell. It was a simple act, somewhat ceremonial, and intended as a reminder of the nation’s grisly history. It represented a time when black people were viewed as less than human. The sound of the bell let slaves in the field picking cotton know that it was time for lunch. Burns said it was important to gather elders to celebrate what they lived through and the challenges many of them overcame together.

“It makes you recognize what black people have done in the community,’’ Burns said. “A lot of people don’t know that history. It isn’t taught in the schools.’’

A longtime educator, Myrtle Huggins of Mattapan said she once took a raw cotton stalk into the classroom to show students what it looked like before processing.

“We need to do black history every day,’’ Huggins said. “Not just in February.’’

Her grandparents were farmers in North Carolina. They weren’t educated, but they had common sense. They prepared the way for their children to have a better life, she said.

At a table near the back of the room, Webb knew she was among community icons.

At her table were pioneers like 89-year-old Olga Dummott, who worked under four Boston mayors. She started a foundation called Casa de La Caridad Inc. that helped Cuban refugees fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro find their way to Massachusetts and also advocated for the Latino community.

Born in Cuba, Dummott proudly noted that her home on the island was just two blocks from where renowned Cuban poet and journalist José Martí was born.

When asked if she encountered racism in her work, Dummott shrugged off the thought.

She struggled, of course, but said she didn’t let it bring her down.

“I know my history,’’ Dummott said. “I know where I came from. Don’t touch me with that.’’

Instead, she danced joyfully. Her granddaughter said Dummott enjoys a cigar and a goblet of Manischewitz wine every Saturday morning.

Across the table was Muriel Walker, who turned 100 this month. It seemed like everybody knew Walker. People stopped by throughout the event to say hello to the woman with the warm smile who has witnessed a century of history.

“She said what she wants for her birthday is another one and another one and another one and another one,’’ Webb said.

“A lot of you in the room today were here for some of the most important moments in the history of our city,’’ Mayor Martin J. Walsh told the group. “Those moments weren’t all good. Some moments were bad. But some moments were good as well.

“You understand the struggles better than anyone else. You lived them firsthand. So that’s why it’s important for us to remember our past, and it’s also important for us to work on our future.’’

Emily Shea, the city’s elderly affairscommissioner, said the event has grown by 100 people every year.

“Part of it is about coming out and connecting,’’ Shea said. “These people are folks that built our community.’’

Barbara Defoe remembers when schools were segregated and the books they were given were shoddy and ripped. She said someone told her in high school that she would never go to college.

She remembers briefly dropping out of school. A mentor encouraged her to return.

She eventually went on to earn her bachelor's and master’s degrees.

“Look at the elderly we have, all that wisdom,’’ Defoe said. “We need to listen when they talk. You’re never too old to learn.’’

The women at the table laughed as they remembered the elders of their families, singing gospel songs in the kitchen. Passing plates around the table, they enjoyed a meal of fried chicken and collard greens.

They were served by city employees and students from nearby high schools.

“If you did something wrong, the village took care of you,’’ Ruth Villard said. “It’s very important that we teach our children where we came from, where we’re going.’’

Cristela Guerra can be reached at cristela.guerra@globe.com.