For centuries, Black people have dreamed against all odds. Dreamed of freedom. Of dignity. Of a future that honors our genius. But this country was not built to nurture our imaginations. It was built to break them. That’s why programs like this one matters.
Every year for the past 18 years, Disney selects 100 high school students from across the country to be a part of the esteemed Disney Dreamers Academy. These students, many from overlooked and underfunded communities, are invited to Walt Disney World for five days as they engage in hands-on career workshops and hear from successful Black professionals, like actors Tyler James Williams and Kevin Harrison Jr., among others.
Together, students explore careers in storytelling, tech, medicine, business, entertainment, and more. They get to see themselves in rooms where Black excellence isn’t the exception, it’s the expectation.
One student, 14-year-old Angel Wright, says her dream is to one day build free housing for the homeless in Dallas. “I love doing what I can to build a better and safer community,” she said. This is proof that the Dreamers Academy goes much deeper than Disney.
This program exemplifies what can happen when we invest in Black youth like they’re already powerful, because they are. Black children deserve joy. Resources. Mentors. A village that protects their spark instead of dimming it. Let’s continue to celebrate and support them in keeping their dreams alive.