Another year, another star-studded Disney Dreams Academy! Actor Lance Gross, DJ Big Tigger and national radio host Rickey Smiley are among the Atlanta contingent that have joined an array of acclaimed educators, designers, producers and Disney executives taking part in the 17th annual Disney Dreamers Academy this year.
The event, which runs from April 3-7, is held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Also 100 helping kids dream big for the five-day experience are TV stars Daymond John, Dara Reneé and Sanya Richards-Ross.
“There are few things that I’m more passionate about than nurturing the lives of young people, especially talented ones who just need a little inspiration,” said Reneé. “Being the DREAMbassador for Disney Dreamers Academy this year is the perfect way for me to help engage with these young minds and hopefully offer them the guidance and spark they need to blow open the doors to their career dreams.”
Other noted speakers participating in the event this year include:
- Dr. Johnnetta Cole, an anthropologist, educator, author, museum director and the first Black female president of Spelman College
- Nikkolas Smith, a contemporary artist, illustrator, author, activist and former Walt Disney Imagineer, who has illustrated movies, including “Black Panther,” “Black Panther 2” and “Space Jam 2”
- Lyn Sisson-Talbert, an accomplished Hollywood producer on various projects, including Netflix’s first original live-action musical “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
- Jérôme LaMaar, a fashion designer, whose work was part of Beyonce’s “Black is King” film on Disney+
- Samara Cyn, an emerging musical artist who is gaining popularity with her unique sound that fuses neo-soul and hip-hop
These celebrities are part of a wide-ranging lineup of noted professionals who will guide the students through various immersive workshops that align with their dreams. These workshops introduce Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths in business, entertainment and science, and the many other career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.
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 enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event. The program is an integral part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities by encouraging the next generation to think and dream big.
Since 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,600 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 become storytellers, artists, engineers, innovators, journalists and more, and some have even become mentors to the Disney Dreamers who follow them.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
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