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Applications For The 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy Are Now Open

Students from Florida selected for the 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE meet Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom. LEFT TO RIGHT: Rouri Hall (Lauderhill, Fla.), David Daise (Kissimmee, Fla.), Simone Till (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Emma Moise (Miami, Fla.), Nia Marshall (Williston, Fla.), Jonathan Williams (Boca Raton, Fla.). (Todd Anderson, photographer)

Education and inspiration with a bit of pixie dust. Applications and nominations for the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy are now open. The exciting announcement was during the Essence Festival. Gospel singer Pastor Mike Jr. participated in last year’s academy.

“Inspiring others is my passion, and it is also the core of Disney Dreamers Academy, which is why I’m so proud to affiliate myself with this program,” said Pastor Mike Jr. “I’ve seen how passionate these students are and I would encourage all students to apply or nominate a fellow Disney Dreamer for this once-in-a-lifetime transformative event.”

What is the Disney Dreamers Academy?

Established by Walt Disney World in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy seeks to inspire teens from Black and underrepresented communities through insightful content and uplifting experts, mentors, and sponsors. Each year, Disney invites 100 students for a four-day experience at Walt Disney World Resort that includes career development workshops in business, entertainment, and sciences, special guest speakers, networking and leadership sessions.

The program introduces the teens to an array of new opportunities, such as sessions teaching valuable life tools, leadership skills, effective communication techniques, and networking strategies.

“We’re seeking the next generation of big dreamers to bring to Walt Disney World for the 17th year of this life-changing program,” said Disney Signature Experiences vice president Tracey D. Powell, who is also the program’s executive champion. “Any teen in your life who aspires to achieve their goals should apply. You never know where it could take them!”

The trip is an all-expense paid trip for the selected student and their parent or guardian. And each year, the academy picks an ambassador. This year it was actor and singer Halle Bailey. Other celebrity guests have included Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin, Questlove, and H.E.R.

Award-winning gospel recording artist Pastor Mike Jr., former Disney Dreamer Princeton Parker and news anchor Sade Baderinwa joined Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion Tracey Powell on stage at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, LA on July 2,2023, to announce that applications for Disney Dreamers Academy class of 2024 will open on Monday. Disney Dreamers Academy is a mentoring program hosted annually at Walt Disney World Resort to foster the dreams of Black students and teens from underrepresented communities. (Harrison Cooney, photographer)

How to apply for Disney Dreamers Academy

To be considered students must be between the ages of 13-19, live in the US and be in grades 9-12.   They also must be “inspired, motivated, and prepared to dream big.”

When applying, students must submit three essays answering the following questions:

  • What is your BIG career dream? When you begin that career—how will you make a difference, be
    a change maker, or be a unique innovator in that career field?
  • Describe a challenge or setback that you have faced in your life. What have you discovered
    about yourself from that experience?
  • What are your current obstacles to pursuing your career dream? How have you pursued
    opportunities to learn, grow and discover opportunities for yourself or others?

Over the years, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,500 students. Graduates have gone on to become doctors, engineers, performing artists, entrepreneurs, work for Walt Disney, and more. The deadline to apply for the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy is Oct. 31st. 

Learn more about Disney Dreamers Academy here.

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