Disney Dreamers Academy Makes Dream Come True for Teen Entrepreneur with Shark Tank Visit

Business

Published by Stephen Oluwadara at July 18, 2024

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On the heels of applications launching for 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy, one of the academy’s recent graduates – aspiring entrepreneur Te’Lario Watkins II – has experienced a dream come true.

Watkins is a 16-year-old aspiring entrepreneur from Ohio. He recently spent an afternoon on the set of ABC’s hit show ‘Shark Tank’ as the personal guest of investor Daymond John. Business mogul John was inspired to supercharge Watkins’ entrepreneur dreams after interacting with him during the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort this spring.

As one of several celebrity mentors at the Disney event this year, John was impressed by Watkins’ story of running his mushroom farm, Tiger Mushroom Farms. since he was just seven years old. Watkins has also launched his own non-profit, Garden Club Project, to address food insecurity in his community.

Walt Disney World arranged to fly Watkins and his father from their home in Blacklick, Ohio, to Los Angeles, California. John gave Watkins an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the show’s set, connected him with other entrepreneurs, and introduced him to the show’s other “Sharks.’’

The highlight for Watkins was having the opportunity to learn business strategies from John, gain entrepreneurial insights, and acquire general life lessons. These experiences helped John become one of his generation’s most well-known, self-made millionaires—and Disney Dreamers Academy gave him yet another opportunity to share them forward.

“Being able to meet Daymond John again was super exciting to me,” said Watkins. “I wouldn’t be here without going to DDA. To high school students: applying to DDA would be one of the greatest decisions you’ve ever made in your life.”

Watkins was just one of several teens from this year’s Disney mentoring program who had the experience of a lifetime following their involvement in the event. Elijah Moore of Norfolk, VA., an aspiring producer and musician, was flown to Los Angeles, where he received a special tour of Dolby Studios and Walt Disney Studios, to name a few. Orlando Ecung of Los Angeles, who dreams of being a business executive, attended the world premiere of “Inside Out 2” as a special guest of Walt Disney Studios.

During the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, Disney announced that applications are now open for the 2025 event at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, where high school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves.

About Disney Dreamers Academy

Established by Walt Disney World in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy’s mission is to inspire teens from Black and underrepresented communities to dream beyond imagination. The annual four-day transformational program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is designed to broaden the careers and personal development of 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America.

The 100 selected students will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort and one parent or guardian to experience inspiration, education, and fun at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Students attend in-depth workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with their dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment, and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.

Over the years, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,700 students nationwide. Graduates have become doctors, engineers, performing artists, entrepreneurs, Disney Cast Members, and more. Some have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who followed them.

Disney Dreamers Academy is an integral part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities. It encourages the next generation to think big and use what they learn in their relentless pursuit of their dreams to help make a difference in the lives of others