The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) launched its 16th annual Student Leadership Conference this week, welcoming more than 125 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for a multi-day event aimed at preparing them for high-impact summer internships with major corporations.
Held in Orlando, the conference brings together rising talent selected for internships at top-tier companies, including Best Buy Corporate, Disney, National Geographic, and others. The program provides formal training in leadership, workplace readiness, and professional development.
Thursday marked the second day of the conference, and students were treated to an unexpected visit during their midday session. Disney on the Yard, the entertainment giant’s HBCU-focused initiative, surprised attendees with a spirited appearance by Drum Major Mickey Mouse. The character made a grand entrance to a traditional HBCU halftime song, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.
Students posed for photos with Mickey Mouse and engaged with the Disney team. The 2025 cohort of Disney interns was also recognized during the luncheon, as the broader Disney corporate team showed its support for the initiative.
Throughout the day, students participated in panels and breakout sessions designed to enhance their professional skills and sharpen their focus ahead of summer internships that span industries from media and technology to retail and public affairs.
“This program is a complete blessing to me,” said Ikhwan James, a rising senior at Morehouse College. “I applied and received a confirmation, which has inspired me to continue to chase my dreams in education.”
Upon completion of the conference, students will travel across the country to begin their internships, each hoping to take the next step in their career paths. UNCF officials say the conference is central to their mission of increasing access and opportunity for Black students across the nation.
