Disney Welcomes the Next Generation of Leaders at 14th Annual UNCF Student Leadership Conference

As the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) continues its tradition of bringing Black student leaders together for professional development, The Walt Disney Company joined this year’s events to inspire the next generation of storytellers and innovators as part of Disney Future Storytellers. Scholars from Disney, National Geographic, FX, and Andscape joined fellow undergraduate students from across the U.S. for the 14th annual UNCF Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The multi-day conference, themed “Empower and Inspire: Building Your Network and Your Net Worth,” invests in talented college juniors and seniors by facilitating and encouraging opportunities for career development, intentional engagement, self-reflection, and skill development. 

Special visit from National Geographic and ESPN leaders  

Disney helped kickoff this year’s conference with a screening of one of the latest documentaries from National Geographic, The Space Race, which follows the story of renowned Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars. Students also had the opportunity to hear from National Geographic’s Karen Greenfield, SVP of Inclusive Content & Engagement, who passed on the importance of empowering people from all walks of life through storytelling. 

The magic continued as Myriam Leger, Associate Director of Production Operations at ESPN, shared her heartfelt experience as a first–generation American of Haitian parents and how students can harness their unique backgrounds to reach success. In true Disney fashion, Drum Major Mickey Mouse delighted the group of over 1,300 students with a surprise appearance and Disney themed swag.

Supporting students through Disney UNCF Scholars Program  

Earlier this year, The Company announced the 2024 Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars made up of 27 high-achieving students, including many from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation. The Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars program is part of Disney Future Storytellers, The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to empowering the next generation of storytellers and innovators. 

Disney’s support of UNCF is one of countless ways the company is expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented communities. Committed to further deepening engagement with HBCUs, The Company’s Disney on the Yard initiative is dedicated to building a community for HBCU alumni working across The Walt Disney Company and providing meaningful opportunities for students. 

Through these programs and more, Disney continues to develop meaningful engagement opportunities with underrepresented communities and increase awareness and advocacy for HBCUs. To learn more about how Disney supports the next generation, visit impact.disney.com.