Now in its 19th year, the Disney Dreamers Academy has transformed the lives of more than 1,800 students selected for the multi-day mentorship program held at Walt Disney World Resort. While the program focuses on student growth, Disney officials emphasize that the annual event is also a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to supporting diverse communities.
The 100 students selected for this year’s Academy represent a vast spectrum of backgrounds, hailing from major urban centers, rural towns, and immigrant families. Some are even young business owners and founders of nonprofit organizations. For many of these participants, the trip to Orlando marks their first time traveling outside of their home state.
Tinisha Agramonte, Senior Vice President and Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer for The Walt Disney Company, told the AmNews that Disney’s global reach creates a responsibility to foster opportunity.
“When I think about diverse communities I think about the fact that we are a global company,” she said. “We operate in 40 countries and we have parks domestically and internationally. The great thing about Disney Dreamers and our commitment to serving diverse communities is making sure that people from everywhere that love this brand have access and opportunities to experience what is possible when you dream big.”
Agramonte joined Disney in 2022 and ascended to her current executive role in 2023. She brought three decades of experience from both the public and private sectors, including senior leadership positions at Motorola Solutions and various federal agencies.
Reflecting on her work with the Academy, Agramonte noted that the emotional feedback from families reinforces the company’s mission.
“I’ve had parents crying and saying, ‘I just want to thank you for what you’re doing right here, the difference you’re making,’” she said. “We receive thousands of applications but can only select 100. These students are entrepreneurs, community leaders, and academic standouts. They are doing phenomenal things. As long as there are people who dream, we will have this academy.”