Black excellence took center stage in a powerful way.

For 100 high school students from across the United States, this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy became far more than a series of workshops or mentorship sessions—it became a life-changing journey into possibility. From the moment they arrived at Walt Disney World, students stepped into a five-day immersion designed to stretch their imagination, challenge their assumptions, and connect them with leaders who looked like them. And for many Black students, the most transformative lesson wasn’t just the skills they learned—it was the validation that they belonged in every space they dared to enter.

Since its launch in 2008, the Disney Dreamers Academy has aimed to cultivate young leaders and reinforce the message that representation matters. This year, Black excellence wasn’t an addition to the program—it was the heartbeat of it. Students met a dynamic slate of accomplished Black innovators spanning STEM, entertainment, entrepreneurship, creative arts, aviation, and more. As reported in earlier coverage of the program (ABC News), the academy has always prioritized visibility, ensuring students see reflections of themselves in industries where they remain underrepresented.

Leading the event this year was Tyler James Williams, the Emmy Award–winning actor known for Everybody Hates Chris and Abbott Elementary. Serving as the 2025 DREAMbassador, Williams openly shared his evolution from teenage sitcom star to respected, purpose-driven artist—emphasizing the importance of self-worth, discipline, and community. He joined an impressive team of mentors, including Adam Blackstone, the celebrated musical director behind major award show performances; Tamela and David Mann, Grammy-winning gospel powerhouses; comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley; fashion futurist Jerome Lamaar; and aerospace engineer and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe, who is set to become one of the first Black women to travel to space on a commercial mission (The Associated Press).

But these weren’t mentors who parachuted in for quick remarks—they stayed, listened, answered questions, and poured into every student with intention. Their presence served as living proof of what Black achievement looks like in its many forms.

For DeJuan “DJ” Strickland of St. Louis, the experience was deeply personal. A best-selling comic book creator and STEM advocate, DJ spent his childhood searching for characters who looked like him in the stories he loved. After seeing Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa in Black Panther, he decided to shift the narrative by launching Tech Boy and Science Girl—two superheroes who model Black brilliance in science and technology. “Seeing this kind of representation here from people already doing the work I dream of doing is so inspiring,” DJ told Because of Them We Can. “It makes me want to become someone who inspires the next generation too.” His mission echoes what many scholars call the “Boseman Effect,” where representation in media increases STEM interest among Black youth (USA Today).

Another Dreamer, Jaden Kelly from Houston, felt an equally powerful spark. Already certified as a Part-107 drone pilot and working toward her pilot’s license, Jaden envisions a future in aerospace engineering. But as studies show that Black women make up less than 2% of aviation professionals (Essence), meeting mentors who mirrored her ambitions expanded her confidence. “Seeing mentors who look like me—whether they’re in my field or not—makes me feel empowered,” she said. “It shows me that I can take up space in places people say we don’t exist.”

Throughout the week, the Dreamers attended intimate mentor sessions, hands-on career labs, confidence-building workshops, and leadership seminars. Program staples such as the “Deep Dives” allowed students to explore specific fields—from storytelling to medicine to entrepreneurship—guided by professionals who shared candid lessons about success, failure, and resilience. Blackstone encouraged students to lean into the unknown: “Chase after the things that make you scared. Comfort doesn’t grow you. If God gave you a dream, it’s meant to be pursued, not feared.”

That message resonated strongly with Brice Everhart, an 18-year-old entrepreneur from Houston. Founder of Vallaries For Men, Brice has already been recognized by the City of Houston for his business. Still, the Academy shifted his perspective. “It’s one thing to see people achieving their dreams,” he explained. “But to see Black people doing it at this scale—it’s inspiring. Seeing is believing. Now the dream is not just an idea. It’s real.”

The week concluded with an emotional commencement ceremony on Sunday. Families, mentors, and chaperones filled the room as Dreamers received their alumni rings—a symbolic reminder of their journey and the community behind them. Tamela Mann delivered a soul-stirring musical performance that brought many to tears, while Walt Disney World Ambassador Shannon Smith-Conrad closed the ceremony with a powerful call to action: “Believe in yourself. Keep moving. And take what you’ve learned back to your communities. We build legacy by lifting as we climb.”

The Disney Dreamers Academy continues to be more than a program—it is a launching pad for the next generation of Black leaders, creators, and change-makers. As multiple outlets have highlighted (ABC News, Essence), the academy has become a national model for culturally grounded youth leadership development, proving that dreams are not just meant to be imagined—they are meant to be realized.

Black excellence isn’t just being celebrated here—it’s being shaped, nurtured, and prepared to lead.