Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars Named for 2022 Cohort

Apr 20, 2022 12:20 PM ET

April 20, 2022 /3BL Media/ - Today, The Walt Disney Company and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) announced the 2022 Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars, representing students from four-year institutions across the country, including many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Scholars will be awarded a $5,000 annual scholarship and a paid summer internship at The Walt Disney Company, which begins in May. The students will also receive, in conjunction with UNCF, mentorship opportunities and assistance securing possible full-time roles with Disney upon graduation. Students with internships that require them to work on site at a Disney location will be provided support for housing and relocation.

The 2022 Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars will join a growing number of students supported by the program, which is designed to nurture rising Black talent pursuing degrees in finance, human resources, legal, production/media and technology.

“Disney’s longstanding relationship with UNCF, including our collaboration on this scholarship program, is an important part of our efforts to reimagine tomorrow by amplifying underrepresented voices and untold stories,” said Disney Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Latondra Newton. “For more than 75 years, UNCF has helped generations of students claim a brighter future. Together, we’re carrying on this proud legacy, ensuring promising students are supported in their education and connected with Disney mentors and career opportunities.”

Announced in 2021, the Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars program is supported by a $1 million commitment from Disney to aid students over a three-year period. The Company’s commitment expands on the $1.5 million scholarship program announced in 2019, and builds on its support for UNCF with a $1 million commitment in 2015.

The students will be mentored by Disney employees as part of Disney on the Yard, an initiative established in 2020 to deepen the Company’s existing engagement with HBCUs. The initiative also will help build a robust, long-term pipeline of Black talent through the development of student internships, mentorship opportunities, internal HBCU cultural series, virtual career showcases for students, and more.

The UNCF Leadership Councils of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco recognized The Walt Disney Company with their “Corporation of the Year” award at the 2022 UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala in March. Presented annually, the award honors companies that support UNCF and its work at the regional and national levels.

At the Gala, UNCF expressed gratitude for Disney’s investment in the UNCF Corporate Scholars program, as well as the Company’s commitment to providing educational and career opportunities for students in underrepresented communities. The organization highlighted Disney’s support for students seeking film careers, as well as the endeavors of Pixar and Lucasfilm, which offer career pathways for HBCU students working toward degrees in computer science and engineering.

The 2022 Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars are:

Scholar

School

Major

Montaz Dennis

Alabama State University

Radio/Television Communications

DaMonee Eaton

Arizona State University

Sociology

Daaiyah Fogle

Claflin University

Mass Communications

Zachary Bell

Florida A&M University

Business Administration

Adeola Adedeji

Howard University

Marketing

Alyse Dees

Howard University

Architecture

Morgan Phillips

Howard University

Human Development

Alana Matthew

Howard University

Journalism

Saniya Myers

Montclair State University

Business Administration

Sierra Bille

New York University

Politics and Global Liberal Studies: Politics, Rights & Development

Maureen Zeufack

New York University

Media, Culture, and Communication

Mikhaila Estwick

North Carolina State University

Zoology

Gabrielle Grant

Savannah State University

Marine Science

Tania Smith

Spelman College

Economics

Ezigbo Ugochukwu

St. Cloud State University

Computer Science

Alasia Gordon

The Cleveland Institute of Art

Animation

Erin Davis

The Savannah College of Art and Design

Film and Television

Aliyah Lynch

UNC Greensboro

Marketing

Ciera Walker

University of Georgia

Journalism

Janet Majekodunmi

University of Pittsburgh

Computer Science

Jordan Britt

Virginia Tech

Mechanical Engineering