Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine kick off the eighth annual event at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The three-day weekend started March 5 and the 100 dreamers will graduate on March 8. The Academy is a career-inspiration program for 100 high school students from across the U.S. and includes interactive workshops, motivational seminars, hands-on creative experience and fun at Walt Disney World Resort.
The kick off started with a parade, then the Welcome Kick Off in the World Showplace Main Hall in Epcot hosted by former Dreamer and graduate Princeton Parker and Tracey Powell (executive champion for Disney Dreamers Academy). Mikki Taylor (editor-at-large for ESSENCE magazine), Yolanda Adams (gospel singer), George A. Kalogridis (president of the Walt Disney World Resort) and Steve Harvey also spoke candidly at the kickoff. Check out a few of the photos from the first day in the gallery.
Photos by Todd Anderson and Joi Pearson Photography
