Disney Celebrates Joy, Culture, and Community at Juneteenth Creator Gathering

Christopher EdwardsThu, June 25, 2026 at 5:47 PM UTC

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Disney on the Yard Yardfest party at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. on June 19, 2026Credit: Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort -

Disney hosted a two-day Juneteenth event for its Power of Joy creator community at Disneyland California

The Power of Joy community includes over 100 Black creators who share Disney's impact through their unique perspectives

Events highlighted Disney's commitment to diversity with programs like Disney on the Yard, which develops internships, mentorship programs and career growth opportunities for HBCU graduates

Disney is shining a light on its "The Power of Joy" creator community.

Last week, Disneyland California hosted a two-day "Power of Joy Reunion" event, bringing together members of its creator community for a host of activities including trivia, dancing, panel discussions, and plenty of time to ride the rides.

First launched in 2024, Disney's The Power of Joy creator community is comprised of over 100 Black creators from across the country.

Disney's The Power of Joy Reunion at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. on June 18, 2026.Credit: Savion Washington/Getty

“They're not only influential, but they're Disney fans at their core,” Anastasia Ali, Vice President of Inclusive Marketing and Audience Growth at Disney, tells PEOPLE. "Through their unique lenses and perspectives, they're able to share the totality of Disney, and what Disney represents to these communities.”

The events kicked off on Thursday, June 18 with a welcome reception at Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. and continued with a  Disney+ & Hulu throwback trivia game, character meet-and-greets, and a Power of Joy Reunion yearbook activity.

“When we talk about The Power of Joy, we're not just talking about influencers, we are talking about artists, we are talking about creatives, we're talking about actors, we're talking about comedians,” member Kalen Allen, who spoke at the event, tells PEOPLE.

“This brand is not just finding these Black creators and using their audience, but these experiences have been crafted by Black executives at this company,” he continued.

Kalen Allen speaks at Disney's The Power of Joy Reunion at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. on June 18, 2026.Credit: Savion Washington/Getty

Being a member of the Power of Joy community is deeply personal for Allen, who says he grew up as a “Disney fanatic, often relating to the brand's inspiring characters like Hercules and Cinderella who overcome adversity.

“These characters were faced with unimaginable adversity, but yet then they came out on top. It helped me believe that that could be my reality as well,” said Allen, likening their stories to his experience of growing up Black and queer.

“I think a piece of me, it allowed me to believe that if I held on a little bit longer, that the Promised Land was going to come, that it would be easier at some point, that I would be able to survive it, because these people were faced with unquestionable things. Look at Cinderella. How the hell you gonna make them put you in the basement at your own daddy's house?” Allen says with a laugh.

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Thursday's events culminated with Disneyland After Dark's Pride Nite, a night of pride-themed festivities with a parade, pride fireworks, and shorter wait times for rides.

Comedian and content creator Mel Mitchell at Disney's The Power of Joy Reunion at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. on June 18, 2026Credit: Savion Washington/Getty

On Friday June 19, the group reconvened at the Downtown Disney District for Yardfest, an event celebrating the Disney on the Yard program. The program develops internships, mentorship programs and career growth opportunities for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“We recognize that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not," said Tinisha Agramonte, Chief Opportunity Officer at Disney, who says the company has provided hundreds of internships to students from HBCUs. "As the premier entertainment company, we know how important it is to make sure that we are accessing the best talent out there, and the only way we can do that is by expanding reach and ensuring access and opportunity."

Disney on the Yard Yardfest party at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. on June 19, 2026Credit: Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort

Mel Mitchell, a comedian and content creator was in shock when Disney first emailed her to join their Power of Joy creator community in 2024.

"I thought it was a scam email, I thought it wasn't even real," said Mitchell, who hosted the Yardfest event. "I've been obsessed with Raven-Symoné since I was a little girl, and she . . . I probably based my entire personality around Raven."

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Mitchell says being a part of the Power of Joy community has given her a sense of connection and place.

“It truly felt like a family reunion,” said Mitchell of the events. “We sang, we danced, we rode all the rides, we ate, it was a great time, we had games, and then intertwining it with the experience of Juneteenth, seeing so many beautiful Black faces at the parks on Juneteenth was incredible.

She adds, “It was just a big Tiana gumbo of culture.“

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”