Lamar and I are totally honored to be at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla, covering the 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy.
Approximately 100 high school students from across the country were selected from a pool of nearly 4000 applicants to participate in the Disney’s Dreamers Academy. These students were selected because: they have the hearts of dreamers, they distinguished themselves through volunteer work in their community, churches or schools, and/or they are excelling academically, while overcoming challenges in their personal lives.
This is the 4th year for Disney’s Dreamers Academy which has a goal of inspiring youth to dream big and motivating them to get started on their career paths now. During this week’s events, the Dreamers will have a deep “dive” experience that will give them to opportunity to discover the possibilities of their passions in their chosen area of interest. They will have workshops with successful professionals and entertainers in their chosen fields such as Sports Careers/Broadcasting, Marine Biology, Entertainment, and Language/International Studies.
Disney has partnered with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine to inspire these kids and touch their lives. “The children are our future and they all deserve an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams,” said Steve Harvey. “Disney’s Dreamers Academy unlocks the power that allows people to pursue their hearts desires,” Harvey added.
This is the first year that Essence Magazine has partnered with the Dreamer’s Academy. The partnership between Essence and the Dreamer’s Academy seems like a perfect fit since Essence Magazine has spent over 40 years encouraging women to lead bold and fulfilling lives. Mikki Taylor, Editor at Large for Essence magazine, spoke at the opening ceremony and stated that we can no longer afford to make wish lists, we must dream on purpose….define them and then go about making them happen.
The kids have a spectacular week planned. In addition to the workshops, the children will meet several celebrities. And in the the true Disney spirit, they will have the opportunity see the Disney parks through the eyes of a dreamer.
BMWK family – please stay tuned for the remainder of the week and weekend as we bring you highlights from the 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy. Also, take the time to ask a young person what they are dreaming about and inspire them to achieve those dreams.
Ronnie and Lamar, I trust that you know that within the spirit of the Tyler household sits a Dream Academy. Watching what you do is truly an inspiration.
Thanks Reggie we appreciate it.
Good stuff!