Since the 2008 inception of the Disney Dreamers Academy, ESSENCE has been a proud partner of the four-day, immersive and transformational mentoring program that helps shape the lives of the world’s next leaders.
For the 11th year in a row, the brand in partnership with Steve Harvey, supports 100 students for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is designed to assist them in identifying and pursuing their dreams.
ESSENCE Communications president Michelle Ebanks sang the praises of the program and the impact of the brand relationship with such an important initiative.
“Our youth, it’s important that they know that they should have a dream,” said Ebanks.
“They should set an agenda for their lives and not one that’s about doing the same thing that they see others doing around them but by looking inside seeing, you know, what do they love? What motivates them? And go after it. There seem to be more distractions today but they have to know what they are working towards so they work hard now. It is about community and strength in [the] community so this is what we do and it’s our privilege is be here.”
Steve Harvey, national recording artist Ne-Yo, former NFL great and Dancing with the Stars winner Emmitt Smith, Empire‘s Jussie Smollett, Miles Brown and Marsai Martin of award-winning ABC series, Black-ish and Sunny Hostin from The View, are set to participate as panelists for the 100 select student applicants who along with a parent or guardian attend the all-expense-paid trip of career-oriented workshops and leadership seminars.
