This summer, Disney is celebrating Black excellence coast to coast with two powerful initiatives: a historic HBCU celebration at Downtown Disney and a royal reveal at Essence Festival, spotlighting creativity and community for the culture.
Disney On The Yard Brings HBCU Spirit To The West Coast
For the first time ever, Disney on the Yard, a program designed to build community among HBCU students and alumni, is bringing its vibrant West Coast YardFest to the Downtown Disney District on July 12, 2025, per a press release.
The free, family-friendly event kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and will feature a live DJ, giveaways, and a show-stopping moment: the first-ever appearance of Drum Major Mickey Mouse and his HBCU Drum Major crew at Disneyland Resort, accompanied by the dynamic Brooklyn United Drumline.
Guests are invited to rep their alma maters, don Divine Nine paraphernalia, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere near the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn. The event is open to the public and does not require theme park admission, though standard Downtown Disney parking rates apply, according to the release.
Adding to the excitement, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., will hold its 2025 International Leadership Seminar just steps away at the Anaheim Convention Center from July 10 to 13, drawing over 9,600 members, per the press release.
The timing presents a unique opportunity for sorority members to participate in both the leadership seminar and the cultural celebration. One of the event’s key figures, Aramide Boatswain, who leads marketing and commercial strategy at Disneyland Resort and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, played a major role in bringing this moment to life.
Bayou Blessings Take Center Stage At Essence Festival
In New Orleans, Disney delivered a major cultural announcement at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture, unveiling Tiana’s Joyful Celebration, a new nationwide traveling exhibition in collaboration with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, according to Disney Parks.
Inspired by the beloved Princess Tiana and rooted in the heart and soul of New Orleans, the interactive exhibit will take visitors on an immersive journey through music, food, crafts, and community traditions, all in the spirit of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, which opened at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort in 2024.
The exhibition will make its debut on March 7, 2026, at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, recently named the No. 1 children’s museum in the country by USA Today, and will travel to 12 additional cities beginning in 2027, per the announcement.
In the exhibit storyline, guests will join Tiana’s neighborhood crew as they prepare for a big Mardi Gras parade that’s suddenly moved up. Everyone must come together to contribute their talents to help pull off the perfect celebration in time.
As Disney continues to expand its cultural storytelling beyond the parks, these two initiatives reflect a powerful commitment to celebrating Black identity, heritage, and joy in all its forms.
Stay tuned for more details on future Disney on the Yard events and city stops on the Tiana’s Joyful Celebration national tour.
