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. (Todd Anderson, Photographer)

The ninth annual Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENSE will be held March 3-6 at the Walt Disney World Resort. Almost 100 teenagers from across the United States will be participating in this 4-day, all-expense-paid educational and mentoring trip filled with fun and a little Disney Magic!

“Disney Dreamers Academy provides an excellent learning environment to help young students with their aspirations and to dream even bigger. ” Steve Harvey, Host of Disney Dreamers Academy

These “Dreamers” will come to Walt Disney World to learn how to pursue their own dreams by attending various career workshops as well as being educated on communication techniques, leadership, and networking. There will be several speakers sharing their stories of success and how they accomplished their dreams to inspire the newest class of Dreamers during this event.

The Disney Dreamers Academy judges gathered at Walt Disney World Resort in 2015 to select the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2016. From left, Dr. Alex O. Ellis, Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO; Yolanda Adams, gospel music legend; Brandi Harvey, Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation executive director; Princeton Parker, Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus; Sonia Jackson Myles, founder and author of The Sister Accord; Mickey Mouse; Minnie Mouse; Mikki Taylor, ESSENCE magazine editor-at-large; Dr. Steve Perry, education advocate; Carole Munroe, director of public relations for Walt Disney World Resort; Karli Harvey, Steve Harvey Products creative director and Jonathan Sprinkles, award-winning motivational speaker. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

“Disney Dreamers Academy is a one-of-a-kind program that, since its inception, is helping more than 800 students achieve their dreams.” Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vice president of deluxe resorts & Executive Champion of Disney Dreamers Academy

Thousands of students apply every year for the Disney Dreamers Academy. These applications include essays about the student’s lives and dreams, which are judged by an impressive panel including:

• Gospel music legend Yolanda Adams
• ESSENCE magazine editor-at-large Mikki Taylor
• Education advocate Dr. Steve Perry
• The Sister Accord founder and author Sonia Jackson Myles; award-winning motivational speaker Jonathan Sprinkles
• Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO Dr. Alex O. Ellis
• Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation executive director Brandi Harvey
• Steve Harvey Products creative director Karli Harvey
• Professional speaker Princeton Parker and
• Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus.

For a list of 2016 Dreamers and Bios, please visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com/dreamers/2016.

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