Walt Disney World Celebrated Black History Month in a Big Way, and Toya Johnson-Rushing Was at the Center of the Magic

Toya Johnson-Rushing has long been a beloved staple in Black culture. Her down-home roots and rags to riches story, coupled with her humbled personality, makes you root for her to win. Whether she’s sharing her life on reality television, through Instagram spoofs alongside her husband Robert “Red” Rushing, or you’re reading one of her memoirs, she’s the girl-next-door we all feel is like a sister-cousin we cheer on. Now, she’s sharing her life as a member of the Walt Disney World family.  

If you scroll through the New York Times Best-Selling author’s social media pages, you’ll see she’s a longtime Disney fanatic. It seems as if she’s on a Disney vacation almost monthly, whether that’s her cruising with Disney Cruise Line or enjoying the theme parks. She’s often on her Disney excursions with her daughters and husband, as well as fellow celebrity friends and influencers and their children, such as fashion staple and wife of Next’s R.L. Lena Huggar, Love & Hip Hop standout Yandy Smith, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta's Shamea Morton Mwangi. It’s a testament to how many Black families are making it their mission to give their families magical moments at Disney, and how Disney is expanding its diversity efforts. This year, Johnson-Rushing served as the official Grand Marshall in the Black History Month parade on Main Street in Magic Kingdom theme park. 

“I feel like it's such a beautiful moment. Being that it's Black History Month and the whole Princess Tiana affiliation with Disney, me being from New Orleans and seeing my culture so deeply rooted in that, and for Disney to tell the whole story of Tiana and New Orleans and our culture in such an authentic way, it feels so surreal,” she told us while standing in front of the iconic Cinderella castle in Magic Kingdom theme park. “Being part of it as the Grand Marshall of the parade just feels like a dream, but it's such an honor and a blessing to be a part of it.”

Princess Tiana was one of the highlights of the February Black History Month festivities courtesy of Disney’s ongoing initiative, Celebrate Soulfully, which highlights Black culture and heritage. And New Orleans was the theme throughout the four days of events the media and their families were treated to. Guests stayed at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside, a hotel that re-creates the down-home appeal of the Louisiana Bayou featuring white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend, Alligator Bayous, quaint backwoods cottages, and Southern cuisine at its dining halls like gumbo, jambalaya and beignets. It’s indeed a picturesque setting, equipped with large oak moss trees that evokes the romance of rural Louisiana. 

Outside of character interactions with Disney’s first Black animated princess, guests also enjoyed the Southern cuisine of Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs, where they chowed down on cheese grits, buttermilk fried chicken, devilled eggs, and sweet tea. For entertainment, we sat for Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, where we sang happily along to classics from the prideline-inspired tunes like “Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Hakuna Matata.” By the end of the trip, attendees received airbrush T-shirts for themselves and family members, a tradition in many Black families which symbolizes a reunion.

Becoming a teenage mother and having a mother who struggled with substance abuse, going to Walt Disney World or any Disney park/experience around the world wasn’t at Johnson-Rushing’s fingertips growing up. Of course, she enjoyed Disney movies and shows alike, and that was her way of escaping. Now, she uses her platform and what she’s been blessed with now to fulfill her inner child and give her children and family members such joy through Disney.

“What makes Disney special for me and my family as a Disney adult is being able to do things that I didn't get to do as a kid, being able to live those childhood memories of trying things that I was once afraid of as a kid or was not able to do, now I'm able to experience as an adult,” she says.

Johnson-Rushing is plugged into a Disney universe that many are not aware of. She’s part of The Power of Joy: Creator Summit. The program highlights influential creators, specifically Black creators, who they work with to amplify the Disney brand. Through the program, 77 creators explore new narratives, engage with Disney leaders, talent, and filmmakers, and forge impactful connections.

One of the major perks many families, specifically Black families are unaware of with Disney, are the value options. There are several advantages to staying at one of the more than two dozen Walt Disney World resort hotels, including free tickets to one of the two water parks on your travel day for everyone on your hotel reservation. Other perks include early entry to the theme parks and the ability to stay in the theme parks later. Park hopper passes for multi day theme park plans are always a better value for the family. Plan Disney experts are available to answer all questions when booking a trip to any Disney park, resort, or experience. 

The goal of the program is curating intentional relationships with these key voices to transcend traditional marketing and building relationships that enhance cultural impact and engagement for Disney. Johnson-Rushing has enjoyed being part of the chosen group. 

As a Grand Marshall, Johnson-Rushing and her daughter, Reign Rushing, sat in float next to none other than Mickey Mouse as they rode through a packed crowd waving to those cheering on the sidelines. 

“Through Power of Joy, I am able to see Disney through a different lens. I have really enjoyed connecting with amazing creators and telling my story of what Disney is to me. It is such an amazing experience,” she said.

Living in a world of chaos with the world seemingly in an uproar, Johnson-Rushing says Disney provides an escape, and she’s able to keep her inner magic afloat well after her Disney experiences. “Whether we are in Disney parks in Florida or California, or on a cruise, we cruise a lot with Disney. My daughter loves Disney cruises. I just feel like when you take a Disney cruise, the magical feeling lasts when you leave. But then you feel like you have to come back again and recharge up for the magic. I really enjoy being a Disney adult because it definitely brings out the youth in me,” she gushes. “And I like to experience new memories and things with my kids and my family, and to see the joy in their eyes and what it does for them is unmatched.”