Photos of the Month: Celebrating Black History and Valentine’s Day at The Child Center

February was a busy month at The Child Center of NY, and especially at our Beacon Program at M.S. 226 and our SONYC afterschool program at M.S. 318 Waterside School for Leadership!

The above photo was part of a cheerleading "Galentine" photo shoot at Beacon 226 in South Ozone Park. The event was designed to promote self-esteem and confidence among the girls. Using fun poses, teamwork, and festive decorations, the students celebrated friendship and sisterhood, positivity, and self-love.

These themes are woven into the fabric of the program throughout the year. Every other Saturday, Beacon 226’s Assistant Director Sierra Nelson hosts a mentorship program called “Sisterhood Saturdays” to underscore these values. Sessions focus on self-reflection and self-love, leadership, and personal "glows and grows.” On Valentine’s Day, participants had the option of choosing to paint a portrait based on themselves, their friendships, or their hobbies. Efforts like these encourage middle schoolers to center themselves, rather than feel pressure to center romantic relationships on this day.

The Valentine’s Day celebrations culminated with the second annual Valentine’s Day dance, complete with a DJ, dancing, and a good time had by all!

The centerpiece of the program’s Black History Month observance was its Black History Month showcase. For this event, the Beacon team and participants were tasked with highlighting Black trailblazers and contributors specific to their clubs. For example, Science Club highlighted Black scientists and inventors like Dr. Patricia Bath and Dr. Mark Dean, and Cosmetology Club highlighted black pioneers in the beauty and hair community, such as Madam C.J. Walker and Marjorie Stewart Joyner. Dance and Cheer Club gave a performance that captivated the audience.

Over in Rockaway Park, the SONYC afterschool program at M.S. 318 Waterside School for Leadership produced a Black History Month showcase in which the program’s scholars recited poems such as “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou and performed dances and songs related to black history and culture. 

The showcase celebrated African American culture and all that African Americans have contributed to our society as a whole. 

"It is important to celebrate the too-often neglected accomplishments of African Americans,” Program Director Yvonne Harris said about why the event was important. “It is also educational for other cultures to learn about African American struggles and accomplishments, from 100 years ago to the present."

Participants have clearly internalized the message. Seventh-grader Brittany, who participated in the song performances, stated, "I can celebrate my culture and what ancestors went through back in the day. If you don't believe in yourself, believe in your roots."

Eighth-grader Zy'aire, who was a scholar in the audience, got to the spirit of perseverance and hope at the heart of Black History Month when he said, "Michael Jordan missed almost 9,000 shots and lost 300 games, and he still tried to reach for the stars and became one of the greatest basketball players of all time."