Commencement day for the graduates of Disney Dreamers Academy was full of laughter, tears of joy and excitement as 100 Dreamers were armed with knowledge that to take back to their communities. Steve Harvey, Essence magazine’s Michelle Ebanks and a host of special guests gave the students an experience they will never forget. The Dreamers were motivated, inspired and touched that an event of this magnitude could make such a difference in their lives.
The Green team won the social media challenge for the weekend, posting photos of their experience at DDA2015 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Posing for the final photo, many of the Dreamers seemed filled with mixed emotions; sad they are leaving, some found friends and mentors for life and others were excited to make an even bigger difference in their communities.
The parents gave their Dreamers a ring to make the commencement official, and it was evident from the expressions on their faces how proud the parents and children were of each other, like the pair depicted above. Hats off and congrats to the 100 Dreamers who were chosen. The message throughout the entire four days was to continue to dream because dreams do come true! Check out more photos in the gallery.
Photos by Joi Pearson Photography and Todd Anderson
Disney Dreamers who won internships
Shanesia Abrams and Kourtney Smith, Won internship to Essence Festival (Journalism Dreamers)
Tracey Powell, Brandi Harvey and Disney Dreamers who won awards
Disney Dreamers join singer Yolanda Adams (back row left of center), entertainer Steve Harvey (back row right of center), Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence Magazine (second to the left of Mickey Mouse), Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc. (left of Mickey Mouse), Mickey Mouse, and Tracey D. Powell, executive champion of Disney Dreamers Academy (to the right of Mickey Mouse), March 8, 2015 to celebrate the commencement of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Todd Anderson, Photographer)
Disney Dreamer and Hasani
Jonathan Sprinkles and Disney Award winner Jonathan
Disney Dreamers join singer Yolanda Adams (back row left of center), entertainer Steve Harvey (back row right of center), Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence Magazine (second to the left of Mickey Mouse), Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc. (left of Mickey Mouse), Mickey Mouse, and Tracey D. Powell, executive champion of Disney Dreamers Academy (to the right of Mickey Mouse), (Todd Anderson, Photographer)
Disney Dreamers join singer Yolanda Adams (back row left of center), entertainer Steve Harvey (back row right of center), Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence Magazine (second to the left of Mickey Mouse), Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc. (left of Mickey Mouse), Mickey Mouse, and Tracey D. Powell, executive champion of Disney Dreamers Academy (to the right of Mickey Mouse), March 8, 2015 to celebrate the commencement of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Todd Anderson, Photographer)
Disney Dreamers who won awards
Disney Dreamer and their parent
Disney Dreamer and their parent
Disney Dreamer and their parent
Disney Dreamers
Michael Strahan
Steve Harvey
Disney Dreamers who won awards
Michelle Ebanks
Mikki Taylor, Michelle Ebanks, Tracey Powell and Mickey Mouse
Mikki Taylor, Michelle Ebanks, Tracey Powell, Mickey Mouse and Steve Harvey
Commencement day for the graduates of Disney Dreamers Academy was full of laughter, tears of joy and excitement as 100 Dreamers were armed with knowledge that to take back to their communities. Steve Harvey, Essence magazine’s Michelle Ebanks and a host of special guests gave the students an experience they will never forget. The Dreamers were motivated, inspired and touched that an event of this magnitude could make such a difference in their lives.
The Green team won the social media challenge for the weekend, posting photos of their experience at DDA2015 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Posing for the final photo, many of the Dreamers seemed filled with mixed emotions; sad they are leaving, some found friends and mentors for life and others were excited to make an even bigger difference in their communities.
The parents gave their Dreamers a ring to make the commencement official, and it was evident from the expressions on their faces how proud the parents and children were of each other, like the pair depicted above. Hats off and congrats to the 100 Dreamers who were chosen. The message throughout the entire four days was to continue to dream because dreams do come true! Check out more photos in the gallery.
