Thursday, October 1, 2026
Green Acres will host its annual Black History Month Celebration, bringing together music, dance and interactive programming to mark 100 years of honoring Black history.
The Feb. 28 event takes place between 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.at Center Court and is designed to highlight culture, creativity and youth empowerment while serving as a community gathering space for Valley Stream and surrounding neighborhoods.
Jill Bromberg, community relations manager at Green Acres, said the shopping center views itself as more than a retail destination. The decision to commemorate a century of honoring Black history grew from a desire to celebrate culture and progress.
“Black history is American history — and it continues to shape our culture today through music, dance, education and leadership,” Bromberg said. “We want families to feel proud of the richness of our community and excited to continue learning and celebrating together.”
In recent years, the mall has continued to expand its Black History Month programming, building on several years of recognition with more immersive and community-driven elements. Over the past three years, the celebration grew through strengthened local partnerships, interactive components and increased opportunities to showcase youth talent and cultural expression.
Bromberg de-scribed community engagement as central to Green Acres’ mission. Throughout the year, the mall partners with local organizations, schools, nonprofits and cultural groups to host inclusive events that reflect the families it serves. The Black History Month celebration is intended to honor diverse voices while creating a welcoming environment for all ages.
The afternoon will open with the Kids and Cops DJ program from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., led by a retired law enforcement officer.
“Bringing music and community engagement together helps build trust, familiarity and unity,” Bromberg said. “It sets an inclusive tone for the celebration and reinforces that this event is truly for everyone.”
At 3:30 p.m., the focus will shift to a featured performance titled “Black History Through Dance,” presented by Perfection Dance Center. Immediately following the performance, Green Acres will present a $500 scholarship to Dare to Dream Perfection Inc., the nonprofit organization affiliated with the dance center.
The celebration concludes with a Black History Month Game Show from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., featuring interactive trivia for children and adults. Participants will answer questions about Black history, and gift card prizes will be awarded.
Perfection Dance Center, based in Elmont, has been serving students for more than 30 years. Founder and artistic director Petra Brathwaite established the studio after beginning her own dance training at age seven. Drawn to music and seeking a creative outlet, she said dance became a lasting pursuit.
Brathwaite also runs the nonprofit organization associated with the studio that provides personal development opportunities through dance and dance education. Through the nonprofit, she seeks donations to fund scholarships that assist students, particularly those entering the arts, with first-year college tuition, books or other related expenses.
This year marks the third time Perfection Dance Center participated in Green Acres’ Black History Month celebration. Brathwaite said the partnership began after an introduction through Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages. Since then, the studio has returned annually.
“For me, Black history is every day,” Brathwaite said. “It’s good that, being the mall and such an open arena, it allows different people to see, of course, our studio and the culture.”
For the upcoming performance, Brathwaite is organizing five dances by students aged about 6 to 14. Different age groups will perform separately, ending in a combined finale. Between dances, the program will include a brief historical context for each style, including its origins and influences within Black history, as well as information about the studio.
Brathwaite emphasized the importance of providing young people with constructive arts outlets that offer alternatives to help them develop skills and confidence.
“There are other things, except the iPad and Instagram, that the kids can do with their time that help them,” Brathwaite said. “That’s my main concern, getting the kids off the street and letting them do something that they like to do through the medium in which they like to do it most.”
The event is free and open to the public. Organizers encourage families of all ages to attend.
