For the first time, HBCU Week will be held at Walt Disney World Resort this year. The event celebrates historically black colleges and universities, with a mission to encourage high school youth to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars for matriculation, and sustain a pipeline for employment from undergraduate school to corporate America.
HBCU Week 2022 will be the largest ever, with 5,000 high school students, mostly from the Southeast United States, expected to attend the college fair. Nearly 50 HBCU recruiters will be there handing out college acceptance letters and an expected more than $10 million in scholarships.
Students from Bethune Cookman, North Carolina A&T, Delaware State, Winston-Salem State, and Alcorn University will perform at Magic Kingdom and in a Battle of the Bands at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“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,” HBCU Week Founder and CEO Ashley Christopher said. “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 is hosting this year as part of Disney on the Yard, their initiative “dedicated to building a community for HBCU alumni working across The Walt Disney Company and providing meaningful opportunities for students.”
“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.”
Theme park admission and reservations are required for entry to Magic Kingdom for the HBCU Week band parade. Separate tickets are required for the Battle of the Bands. Those can be purchased at HBCUWeek.org, where prospective students can also register for the college fair.
Here is the full schedule of events:
October 7:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- ESPN First Take Live Broadcast with hosts, Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim – Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
- HBCU Week College Fair – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- HBCU Week Lunch and Learn Series – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m
October 8:
Magic Kingdom Park
HBCU Week Band Parades – featuring Delaware State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Bethune Cookman University, Winston Salem State University and Alcorn University. Walt Disney World theme park ticket and reservation required.
- 9:20 a.m. NC A&T Cavalcade
- 2:35 p.m. Bethune Cookman & Winston Salem State Cavalcade
- 6:00 p.m. Alcorn State & Delaware State Cavalcade
This is an outdoor parade and subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Showtimes are subject to change.
October 9:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- HBCU Week Battle of the Bands – Delaware State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Bethune Cookman University, Winston Salem State University and Alcorn University
- 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. ($25 ticket required)
Gates open at 12:30 p.m., and the event begins at 2 p.m.
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