WNBA Star A'ja Wilson Shows 2026 Disney Dreamers Academy Class That Dreams are Limitless

A’ja Wilson knows all about making your dreams come true. The WNBA standout is a four-time MVP for the Las Vegas Aces, two-time Olympic and World Cup gold medalist. The South Carolina native is also a New York Times Best Selling author, and in her book, Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You, through excerpts from her own personal journals, she gives readers inspiration of self-love and triumph through themes of resilience, self-care, and authenticity. Wilson brought those same messages in her mentorship to the 2026 graduating class of the Disney Dreamers Academy. 

Over four days, 100 high school students, ages 13-19, attended an all-expenses-paid mentorship program at Walt Disney World Resort. Top performing scholars from across the country participated in the program’s 19th year in workshops, celebrity mentorship, and career counseling to help teens pursue their dreams in service, sciences, marketing, business, entertainment, and beyond.

A’ja Wilson with Princess Tiana and Disney Dreamers

Mentorship is part of Wilson’s brand and something she doesn’t take lightly with her platform. Despite being where she is now, she let the DDA class know that while dreams are limitless, as she says she discovered on her own journey, they aren’t without some hardships, which is why surrounding oneself with the right people in mentors, family, and friends – and having belief in oneself is key. 

“You're going to face adversity,” she told the class during the DDA welcome ceremony, noting that she struggles with dyslexia and has had to learn to process information differently throughout her life, while it sometimes appeared her peers soared beyond her. She’d soon learn that wasn’t the case, but that she had to train her mind to believe otherwise. 

“I feel like being dyslexic has been the biggest obstacle. But the way I got over the hurdle was that I faced it head on and I did the things that made me uncomfortable, whether that be me volunteering to read in front of a class, or maybe reading a prayer before a game in front of my teammates,” she told the Dreamers. “I faced it head on. I wasn't afraid of my mistakes. So I feel like when it comes to obstacles, and when something's in your way, don't run from it. It’s just a speed bump.”

Each member of the DDA class always comes with an impressive resume. And this year was no different. 

Joseph Harrison is a Prince George's County, Maryland resident. The 17-year-old  attends Georgetown Preparatory School, where he is a member of National Art Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Student Liaison for the Black Student Association. He is also a member of First Tee of Greater Washington Golf Club, and the National Harbor Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., He heard of DDA from his mother, who works as a counselor. He applied one time previously, but was not accepted. Like Wilson, he didn’t give up, and tried again. This time, he received an acceptance letter.

Joseph Harrison, 17 - PG County, Maryland

“I knew that I had what it takes to be a part of this program. I know what I'm capable of, and I know that this is a really great opportunity for networking, meeting new people, and just enjoying all that Disney has to offer. And so I really wanted to try again,” he told us. “And when I got the acceptance letter, I was really happy because I knew that it had paid off.”

He enjoyed being around like-minded peers in the program, which he says inspired him more than anything else. As for his personal goals, he is passionate about mental health and ultimately wants to be a psychiatrist.

This year’s DDA Ambassador was actress, writer, and producer Malia Baker. She’s part of the popular Disney franchise, Descendants, where she stars as Chloe. The 19-year-old told Dreamers her story of her devoted mother giving her one year to book a role, as chauffeuring her to and from auditions was a full-time job. But Baker had the tenacity, and it paid off when she booked her first role in the Netflix remake of The Baby-Sitters Club. 

Malia Baker

She says being asked to be the ambassador was a dream come true. Meeting and working with the students inspired her even more, but she had one piece of advice she wanted to impart on them.

“I think defining who you are for yourself is a big deal. I think even being a kid actor or being someone that grew up with a little bit more struggles or harder times, I think it's something to lean into,” she explained. “I think challenges are just ways to practice how you can pick yourself back up and to be able to do that in a way where you get to create something beautiful from your own mind and tell your own story that you’re proud of.”

For Zoe Smith, a junior who attends school Edison, New Jersey. She's involved in several activities in school, including theater, STEM, and visual arts. Ultimately, she wants a career in beauty and fashion design. Luckily for her, each year, DDA students have been treated to mentorship opportunities with professionals in the industry, including Misa Hylton in previous years. This year, Jerome Lamaar stepped into that role. 

Zoe Smith, 17 - Edison, New Jersey

Smith started and stopped her application a few times before finally applying to the academy. After three years, which involved doing her own research and seeing testimonials from DDA alumni, she finally finished the task, and the result was her acceptance.

“It was a great feeling to know I got in and that I could be a part of something that's cool,” she said. “Being around my fellow dreamers has been very inspiring and exciting. I've met so many cool people and I've connected with so many people, and I've learned so much in so little time. I think this program will give me a good launching pad, as far as people seeing my capabilities and what I can do, and it also is giving me connections and allowing me to meet people who can help me in my career,” she gushed.

Riley Lacey from Atlanta, Georgia applied for the first time and was accepted. He was the most excited for the networking opportunities the program offered. “I want to be a sports broadcaster and I've already met with someone who does journalism in Atlanta,” he explained, noting he’d spent time with Rickey Smiley during the program. He hopes that he’ll continue to keep in touch with Smiley, who has been a mentor in the program for the last several years.

Riley Lacey, 17 - Atlanta, GA

Ryan Gray from Baltimore, Maryland applied to the academy once previously before getting accepted. She learned about it through a scholarship and trust program she’s been affiliated with since 2018. “One thing about Disney that I really admire is the fact that they encourage everybody to be a dreamer, be an imagineer, and really go after your goals, which is something that I feel that we really need in my community in Baltimore, Maryland,” she explained. “So after seeing that and seeing all the network opportunities and being able to connect with like-minded peers, I was really encouraged and inspired to apply. I was very excited but nervous when I got it. I didn't know exactly what to expect, but it’s been a blessing and inspiring.”

Ryan Gray, 17 - Baltimore, Maryland

Gray hopes to major in anthropology or biology with a pre-med track. From there, she hopes to go to med school and eventually become a cardiac surgeon.

Lisa Nichols is an international motivational speaker. Aside from DDA host, Princeton Parker, she worked with the students, but primarily their parents/guardians over the four-day program to also encourage them along the way. During the graduating ceremony, Nichols’ words echoed throughout the room, penetrating emotions of hope and excitement about what could be next for all in attendance. 

Nichols has worked with the program in previous years as well, but as the commencement speaker, her words resonated deeply. “When going after your dreams, if you do it right, you'll get exhausted. But you'll give yourself permission to rest and get back up. You'll give yourself permission to be extraordinary,” she told the audience.

(L to R) Princeton Parker, Mickey Mouse, and Lisa Nichols

“Extraordinary doesn't start extraordinary. Extraordinary is about putting some extra on your ordinary. The bigger you play, the bigger your breakdowns will be. So play big and have these breakdowns, and then get back up and do it again. When you step into a room, step into a room unapologetically,” she continued. “Don't step into a room and check the energy of the room to see if the room can handle you. When you step into the room, remember you are not the thermometer. You don't adjust to the temperature of the room. Step into the room as the thermostat who sets the temperature of the room. When someone can't handle your light because you got a bright light. If they can't handle your light, that's okay. Your life was meant to be shared. Your light was meant to stay bright. Your light was meant to shine.”

Cheers to the DDA class of 2026, and anyone else who dares to dream.