Steve Harvey, Disney Make Dream Team

By Cheryl Thompson, Blackvoices.com


Disney is in the business of making dreams come true.

Cinderella wanted a man. She got a prince.

Pinocchio wanted to become a real boy. He was brought to life.

However, during the weekend celebrating the ultimate dreamer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Walt Disney World took its initiative one step into reality and helped 100 teens from across the country dream and dream big.

The group, primarily of minority high school students, was selected by comedian Steve Harvey and a panel of judges to participate in the inaugural Dreamers Academy.

"I was excited when I got on the plane, I was excited when I looked out the window, and I was excited when I got here," said a jubilant Kelsie Shawver, a Los Angeles student dreaming of a career in journalism.

More than 3,000 teens applied to be a part of the Academy, which consists of a career-enrichment program designed to immerse high school students in creative and non-conventional careers, while giving them unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the magical world of Disney.

Harvey used his funny, yet wise, words to illustrate the nuances and finer points of success during the four-day program.

"I never got two A's on a single report card," Harvey told the students. "If they didn't have two gym classes, there was no way for me to get two A's. But I understood that the absolute most important thing is your dreams."

Harvey wasn't entirely focused on squeaky-clean transcripts, instead more concerned about the life story applicants brought to the table.

"I want that kid that's borderline," he said. "He's got a good mind, just got it misdirected. That's the guy you can turn into greatness."

In the "world's most creative classroom," the academy boasted an all-star roster of teachers in the form of high-level Disney execs, actors, singers, Imagineers, and leaders in the fields of sales, sports, event planning, entertainment, stunt-driving, broadcasting and the culinary arts.

"This Dreamers Academy is about taking youth with potential and opening doors for them -- helping them realize their dreams," said Xiomara Wiley, vice president of Walt Disney World Multicultural Marketing.

Celebrities, including Victoria Rowell, Tichina Arnold, Keyshia Cole, Musiq Soulchild, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks, and BET's 106 & Park's Rocsi and Terrence J., took turns sharing their life experiences, struggles and triumphs.

Death of family members. Living with HIV.

Abandonment and homelessness.

The teens that made up this 100 came with stories, many heartbreaking.

Jeanessa Perry, 15, has had to grow up faster than most kids in Compton, Calif.

Since fifth grade her and mother, Cynthia Macon, have experienced being homeless and have had family members turn on them, including an incident where Perry's grandfather tried to stab Macon.

"It's been stress and a big struggle since then," said Perry. "I know I have to be strong and support my mom."

Perry, who currently commutes across three California highways to attend private school and has received a Congressional Award, is ecstatic to be a Dreamer.

"It's amazing to have all the speakers telling me their struggles," said Perry. "Just seeing how they've become some of the top people in the world, they have their own businesses; it just shows me that I can do the same thing."

Perry has dreams of becoming an astronaut, in addition to starting her own company.

The teens aren't the only ones amazed. The program has also pulled on their parents' heartstrings.

"When I was a child in Alabama, I used to watch the 'Wide World of Disney' and after the show was over I would dream on the stars that I would go to Disneyland one day," Macon said as tears rolled down her face. "Now to see my daughter here, I don't think she'll ever forget this."

The Academy coincides with Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams," a giveaway promotion where the parks are granting a million dreams to randomly chosen guests.

Macon can't wait to see what becomes of her daughter and all the program's participants.

"You can never be more inspired than this," she said. "When I heard this was the year of a million dreams, I didn't know two of them would be ours."