On November 11th at 11:00 am in room 214 in the Industrial Technology Building at Alcorn State University (ASU), Jabreel Walker, Corey Savage, and Avis Lewis spoke to Mass Communications majors about opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.
Walker, who is the Director of the Cargill Thrive Program at ASU and a liaison between Alcorn and Disney, introduced the two representatives. Savage is a Senior Outreach and Engagement Manager for Disney who has made it his mission to reach out to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) all over the country to inform their students of the numerous positions available at the company. Lewis is the Vice President of Human Resources for Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks International. She has been with Disney for 4 years and is a spearhead for bringing diversity within the corporation.
Lewis and Savage spoke to the audience and provided them with an overview of the innerworkings of Disney. Savage stated, “Disney is a comfortable environment to work in. They allow you to be yourself.” Lewis explained the cultural growth of her job with such things as hair styles, hair tones, tattoos, and the overall acceptance of the new looks that Black culture brings today. Savage also detailed how important it is for their program, Disney on the Yard, to be pursued by students of all HBCUs because there is opportunity within Disney, not only for Communication majors but for a plethora of other majors as well.
Disney on the Yard is a program set up as a Summer internship to pay and help students of HBCUs with scholarships. It is dedicated to building a community for HBCU alumni working across The Walt Disney Company and providing meaningful opportunities for students. Lewis described that one portion of the internship would consist of meeting and networking with senior leaders in Disney which could possibly lead to a position within the company. Ryan Poston, a Mass Communications major and Sophomore at ASU, stated, “I like that Disney is doing a good job at reaching out to Black students and teaching the importance of networking to succeed in our major.”
Applications for Disney on the Yard opens in January 2023 for Summer 2023. Scholarships for students who are interested can apply at reimaginetomorrow.disney.com for the 2022 National Geographic Media Scholarship Program provided by Disney.