Walt Disney World ResortPress Release

Disney Dreamers Academy Program 2022

Landmark 15th Year of Disney Dreamers Academy Program Awaits 2022 Class of Talented High School Students

The exclusive Walt Disney World Resort mentorship event that fosters the dreams of Black students and teens from underrepresented communities plans to return in March with reimagined programming and a new group of outstanding high school students

Disney Dreamers Academy, an educational mentorship program created and hosted by Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., plans to return with a reimagined approach, March 3-6, 2022, marking its 15th year of broadening career awareness and creating exclusive opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America. (David Roark, photographer)
Disney Dreamers Academy, an educational mentorship program created and hosted by Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., plans to return with a reimagined approach, March 3-6, 2022, marking its 15th year of broadening career awareness and creating exclusive opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America. (David Roark, photographer)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2022) – Disney Dreamers Academy, an educational mentorship program created and hosted by Walt Disney World Resort, plans to return with a reimagined approach, March 3-6, marking its 15th year of broadening career awareness and creating exclusive opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America.

This year, the impactful program will introduce the Disney Dreamers to an array of new immersions designed to continue to foster the dreams of young leaders beyond imagination, including career-building workshops, networking sessions, mentorship connections and introductions to future professional opportunities at The Walt Disney Company and beyond.

For its 15th year, Disney Dreamers Academy is supporting students in even more ways. In a new initiative, Disney Dreamers Academy, in partnership with ESPN’s The Undefeated and GRAMMY-nominated rap artist Cordae, is awarding college scholarships to 11 students from underrepresented communities attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Disney Dreamers receive a surprise visit from Mickey Mouse March 8, 2014 during an animation and graphic design workshop at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The special experience was part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine, a career-inspiration program for 100 high school students from across the U.S. taking place at Walt Disney World Resort March 6-9, 2014.(Gregg Newton, photographer)
Disney Dreamers receive a surprise visit from Mickey Mouse March 8, 2014 during an animation and graphic design workshop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The special experience was part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine, a career-inspiration program for 100 high school students from across the U.S. taking place at Walt Disney World Resort March 6-9, 2014.(Gregg Newton, photographer)

The Disney Dreamers program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities, such as Black America, by encouraging the next generation to think big and to carry what they learn back with them, so they can relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.

“We are excited and honored to celebrate 15 years of Disney Dreamers Academy with this year’s class,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World Resort Vice President and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “We’ve embraced this opportunity to amplify the event, and we’re thrilled to introduce new experiences, new career programs and new mentors.”

Since 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,300 students from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for their futures. In the years following, graduates have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more, and have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who follow them, including event speaker Princeton Parker (Class of 2011), who is now a Disney cast member.

Each year the Disney Dreamers are selected from thousands of applicants who answer essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students and a parent or guardian are given an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event.

Tabitha Willis, of Chicago, Ill., learns medical principles during a medical workshop Friday, March 9, 2018, as part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 11th annual Disney Dreamers Academy, taking place March 8-11, 2018, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Todd Anderson, photographer)
Tabitha Willis, of Chicago, Ill., learns medical principles during a medical workshop Friday, March 9, 2018, as part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 11th annual Disney Dreamers Academy, taking place March 8-11, 2018, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

These Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side-by-side with and hearing inspirational stories from community and business leaders, Disney cast members, celebrities and other special guests.

During the four-day event, the 100 students selected for the annual program participate in sessions teaching valuable life tools such as leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies.  They also experience in-depth career workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with the students’ dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.

Celebrity chef Jeff Henderson gives a demonstration for students during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Approximately 100 high school students take part in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.
Celebrity chef Jeff Henderson gives a demonstration for students during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Approximately 100 high school students take part in Disney Dreamers Academy, an immersive mentorship program, each year.

Past celebrity participants have included stars from the big screen and television, noted sports figures, popular musicians as well as personalities and cast members from across the Disney family including “Good Morning America,’’ ESPN, Disney Channel and the TV series “black-ish” and “grown-ish.”

For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy, Twitter.com/DreamersAcademyand Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.

Leave a Comment