Largest-Ever HBCU Week Coming to Walt Disney World Resort Next Month October 7-9, 2022

HBCU College Fair, Parade of Bands, Battle of the Bands and ESPN First Take live broadcast
among event’s key components; Record number of HBCU college scholarships expected to be
awarded on the spot
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – High school students from across the Southeast and beyond will
descend on Walt Disney World Resort next month for the largest-ever HBCU Week featuring a
huge college fair, a parade of high-stepping marching bands, a fierce battle of the bands and a
live ESPN broadcast.
A record number of high school students (more than 5,000) and Historically Black Colleges and
University representatives (nearly 50) will take part in the weekend event, October 7-9, 2022,
when more than $10 million in scholarships are expected to be awarded, which would be
another event record. Since 2017, more than 3,500 on-the-spot admissions have been offered,
along with more than $23 million in scholarships.
This is the first time in its five-year history that the HBCU Week Foundation is hosting its annual
event at Walt Disney World Resort, which is expanding the foundation’s ability to stage new and
more high-profile activities for its attendees. As a result, this year there will be a parade of
HBCU bands down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park; a battle of the bands at ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex along with the college fair; a live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take
show featuring HBCU Week ambassador Stephen A. Smith and show host Molly Qerim; and
several Lunch and Learn seminars for students to gain educational and career insights.
Delaware State, Bethune Cookman, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State and Alcorn
University will participate in the parade at Magic Kingdom and compete in the Battle of the
Bands.
“We are pleased to share in the mission to highlight the rich history and cultural significance of
HBCUs, creating educational and, ultimately, career opportunities for students,” said HBCU
Week Founder and CEO Ashley Christopher. “Hosting this national event at Walt Disney World
Resort helps amplify the mission of HBCU Week, attracting more parents and students
throughout the country to our events and helps make an even greater impact in fostering
opportunities for thousands of students.”
Disney’s involvement in HBCU Week is part of a relationship between HBCU Week Foundation
and Disney on the Yard, an initiative focused on deepening Disney’s engagement with HBCUs.
By working more closely with HBCUs, Disney aims to continue building a long-term pipeline of
Black employee talent through the development of student internships, mentorship
opportunities, career and employee spotlights, scholarships and more.
“This event is an ideal collaboration in that it highlights Disney’s commitment to supporting
HBCUs and the mission of HBCU Week,” said Avis Lewis, Vice President Human Resources,
Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks International. “We are pleased with the immense
momentum we are seeing already, with unprecedented attendance at the college fair and a host
of exciting events planned. We look forward to seeing students and parents from all over the
Southeast enjoying this event and all the magic of Disney while they are here.”

Disney theme park admission and reservations are required for entry to Magic Kingdom Park for
the HBCU Week band parade. Tickets are also required for the Battle of the Bands at ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex. There is no admission charge for all other HBCU events.
For more information about HBCU Week and for students to register for the College Fair, visit
http://www.HBCUWeek.org. Follow HBCU Week at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About HBCU Week
HBCU Week was founded by Ashley Christopher, Esq. in 2017. It is managed by the HBCU
Week Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HBCU Week consists of multi-day
events held throughout the nation each year, designed to encourage high school-aged youth to
enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for
employment from undergraduate school to corporate America. A highlight of our events is the
College Fair, which offers on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarships to qualified high
school seniors. http://www.HBCUWeek.org. Follow HBCU Week at Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter.
About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is a
premier site for amateur sports in the nation. The complex has hosted more than 100
entertainment and sporting events each year and has accommodated 70 different sports
featuring athletes from 70 different countries. Designed to provide professional, amateur and
youth athletes with experiences synonymous with the names Disney and ESPN, the 220-acre
facility features multiple competition venues, including 16 baseball/softball fields, a 9,500-seat
ballpark, 18 multi-purpose outdoor fields for soccer, football, and field hockey, three indoor
venues for basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and other indoor sports, a track and field
facility and a cross country course. For more information, visit disneysportsnews.com for news
releases, photos and videos, follow on Twitter at @ESPNWWOS and at Facebook at
ESPNWWOS.
About Disney on the Yard
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at The Walt Disney Company. Disney on the Yard
was established to deepen engagement and relationships to Historically Black Colleges and
Universities. We are energized and committed to creating meaningful connections through
student internships, networking, mentorship opportunities, career showcases, and more. We will
continue to make a difference and move in a more inclusive direction where everyone can be
their authentic selves.
photos: Delaware State, Bethune Cookman, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State and
Alcorn University