Disneyland's 'Celebrate Soulfully' shines a spotlight on Black culture
The house of mouse is elevating the spirit of our HBCUs through July 19
ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Disney is bringing the spirit and traditions of our HBCUs to Southern California as only the mouse can do.
Now through July 19, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are inviting visitors to “Celebrate Soulfully,” with a variety of activities throughout both parks.
During the event, visitors can find special foods, entertainment elevating Black culture, and character meet-and-greets, like Powerline Max from “The Goofy Movie,” among others.
“Most times, when you think of Disney, you’re thinking rides, you’re thinking Mickey, you’re thinking magic,” said visitor Reginald McDonald.
“You never think family turn-up, Black cookout. You never think about that.”
McDonald, who came from Compton for the Disney on the Yard Juneteenth event, said he’s been blown away by this year’s celebration.
“i think it’s impactful because it allows people to realize they’re important,” he said. “You know, like for us, especially as Black people, we’re not really in the spotlight too much, so to see this, it’s like ’Oh no, we matter.’”
On Juneteenth in Downtown Disney, there was music and dancing.
The free Yardfest event centered around drum major Mickey Mouse and the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul marching band.
Mickey was trained by six different HBCU drum majors to ensure authenticity, high knees, and of course, that infamous back bend.
Disney senior vice president Tinisha Agramonte said the event highlighted the importance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day the last enslaved people in Texas found out they had been emancipated.
“We wasn’t ready,” said Reelaviolette Botts-Ward, of Palo Alto. “We wasn’t ready for drum major Mickey, but slay, slay, slay, slay. It was so good.”
“We’re very proud that we have brought Disney on the Yard, and at the center of that is drum major Mickey Mouse,” senior vice president Avis Lewis added. “He’s very appropriate for this because when you think of HBCUs, it’s really about the bands.”
