The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) hosted their 16th annual Student Leadership Conference which included over 125 students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) who received formal training as they head to their summer internships with various fortune 500 companies consisting of Best Buy Corporate, Disney, National Geo Graphics, and more.
Thursday, May 29, 2025 was day 2 of the conference, and the students received a special surprise as Disney on The Yard brought out Drum Major, Mickey Mouse, during the student luncheon. Students were beyond excited as Mickey Mouse marched in to a traditional HBCU halftime song. Groups of students took pictures with Mickey, along with the 2025 group of Disney Interns, were greeted by the entire Disney team and Mickey Mouse.
Once the students complete this conference, they will travel across the country to start their internships in hopes of jump-starting their careers in their desired industries.
“This program is a complete blessing to me. I applied and received a confirmation which has inspired me to continue to chase my dreams in education”, says Morehouse College rising senior, Ikhwan James.
The goal of the Disney UNCF Scholars Program is to reduce the financial barriers to pursuing higher education and increase access to professional development, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities for selected scholars. With 80 years of greatness and opportunities for minority students, UNCF has made it their commitment to advance youth and young adults.
Just last September ’24, for #HBCUweek, I interviewed Arnika Frazier-Jackson, the Director for UNCF’s Student Professional Develop Programs who discussed in detailed how these programs are intentionally designed to support HBCU students and grads well into their careers. You can re-watch it here.
Photo Cred: Courtesy of UNCF
About Disney on the Yard
Disney on the Yard is an initiative launched by The Walt Disney Company to engage and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their students. The program is designed to create career opportunities, provide mentorship, and foster connections between Disney and HBCU students. It includes various activities such as internships, professional development workshops, campus events, and networking opportunities, all aimed at empowering the next generation of Black talent.The initiative is part of Disney’s broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it seeks to build meaningful relationships with HBCU communities while helping students navigate their career paths within the entertainment, media, and technology industries.
About UNCF
UNCF is one of the nation’s largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students’ access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram.