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Not all heroes wear capes. Oftentimes, they are in our schools thinking about ways to improve our world.Every year, 100 high schoolers are selected from thousands of applicants to attend Disney Dreamers Academy, which is designed to empower and inspire the brightest young minds of our nation. These teens are called “Dreamers” for a reason. They have so much hope and confidence in their voice as they talk about their visions for the future. During the five-day program, a village of actors, illustrators, filmmakers, producers and other experts mentor the Dreamers so they can one-day become experts in their fields. Last year, DREAMbassador Halle Bailey spoke affirmations over the teens and challenged them to pursue their goals despite negativity from others. Singer and songwriter H.E.R. surprised a group of future musicians with autographed guitars.So when the trip is over and teens are flown back home, how do the Dreamers use their experience at the academy throughout their lives? To answer that question, the Black Joy fam reached back out to the Dreamers we interviewed in 2023 to get an update on what they have been up to and how they’ve incorporated what they gained during their once-in-a-lifetime experience:Award-winning public speaker Bradley Ross JacksonBradley Ross JacksonBradley Ross JacksonBloomington-Normal, Ill.Founder of the nonprofit B.E. Kind Campaign and youngest recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Youth Activist of the Year“The Disney Dreamers Academy was priceless, and I was able to utilize many of the educational and practical nuggets while spending several days at the Academy. Additionally, I built meaningful relationships and I am still very good friends with several of my 2023 Dreamers. We continue to maintain an active “chat group” on Instagram, so that we may empower and encourage each other.Since graduating from the Disney Dreamers’ Academy, I am honored to have received over $1 million in scholarship dollars. I was accepted by many dynamic colleges and universities, including: Howard University, Harvard, Morehouse College, Bradley University, Xavier, Southern, Jackson State University, Augustana College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Lindenwood University, and so many other wonderful schools. I proudly included the Disney Dreamers’ Academy on my resume and college application. When I interviewed with Harvard, they inquired about my Disney Dreamers’ experience and they were very impressed when I shared my experiences. Additionally, I was selected for the coveted 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the 2024 NAACP Mr. Harry Hightower Award and the 2024 High School Senior of the Week Award.”Future sports journalist Elle ChavisElle ChavisElle ChavisDallasTheater-lover and future sports journalistElle Chavis is a freshman at Duke University. She is a Robertson Scholar and as a result she has enhanced her leadership skills and increased her knowledge of community development. She entered Duke majoring in Cinematic Arts, but it did not take her long to find a love for journalism. Elle has always loved sports, and that love for sports sparked her interest in sports journalism. She’s now a beat writer in the sports department for The Duke Chronicle, the school’s student newspaper. She covers two of Duke’s many explosive sports: softball and women’s basketball. This newfound passion inspired Elle to change her major to English with a minor in journalism and media. Elle’s favorite part of covering sports is interviewing coaches and players and sharing the stories of the people behind the uniforms.Her love for the theater has only grown in college. In the Fall, Elle was cast as Erika Johnson in “School Girls,” presented by Duke Players. She is currently working as the stage manager for Duke’s upcoming performance of “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.”“Disney Dreamers Academy was a phenomenal program that opened up my eyes to realize that your dreams and interests can change and evolve into other things. Writing has always been a passion of mine but I had no idea that I would enjoy journalism as much as I do.”Award-winning athlete and nonprofit owner Jordan AdeyemiJordan AdeyemiJordan AdeyemiAtlantaJordan takes his love of soccer to a whole new level with his nonprofit the Shoeless Ones, which helps alleviate the cost of soccer cleats by donating them to underserved communities.“I’ve had a really busy year since that incredible and inspiring week at Dreamers Academy. In July, I spent a few weeks in Spain where I attended a seminar on youth entrepreneurship at Mondragon University where I learned about the link between traditional culture, economics and commerce, then flew straight to Los Angeles to accept an ESPY Billie Jean Youth Leadership Award. I started senior year as the co-captain of the varsity soccer team, co-head of the Black Student of Excellence and a student listener. At the end of my soccer season, I was invited to the region’s all-star game and received a few college offers to play soccer.Shoeless Ones has now donated over 650 shoes and is working on collaborations with a few programs that I’m excited about. Last week, I was one of 21 youth leaders to be awarded a Georgia Youth Leadership award. The last months have been busy with college and scholarship applications and I’m happy that part is over. For now, I am waiting on college decisions so that I can commit to a school. Overall, I’ve had a great year and I am looking forward to great things in the future.”Teen philanthropist Logan WilliamsDanyelle RashidLogan WilliamsClevelandA teen philanthropist who wants to build the largest homeless shelter in the world and started her own nonprofit, Blanket Blessings.Logan has continued to use her voice, resources, and networks to be a steady vessel to the community. Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday is reserved for a day of service and Logan’s grassroots organization “Blanket Blessings” was able to donate 50 blessing bags to a local women’s shelter. The blessing bags are stuffed with toiletry items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, small face towel, lotion, and much more. They were also able to hand out five birthday gifts for the month of January to the unhoused women. Logan has decided to donate small gift items to the shelter every month, to make sure the women feel special on their birthdays. She was also contacted by Spectrum news for the national Giving Tuesday special segment, about young Ohioans who are making a difference in their community.Logan’s experience at Disney Dreamers Academy was a life changing experience and set her life on a more upward cycle. The tools that were instilled in the Dreamers allowed Logan to dream bigger, think bigger, and to not give up on life. Logan inspires many of her friends to do good things in the world, and to know that no matter your age your voice matters. Logan will be attending the Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit coming up later in April. This is an event where young people will tackle big environmental challenges. Workshops, learning sessions, student panels, and a green career fair will be a few of the offerings there. Logan was able to share this with other students in her age range and of course she did just that. She has been nominated for an 2024 award from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for her dedication to Cleveland and her community.

A million dollars in scholarship money and national athletic awards are just some of goals these teens have accomplished since joining Disney Dreamers Academy in last year.