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Daymond John and Disney Dreamers Academy Inspire Teen Entrepreneur with ‘Shark Tank’ Visit

July 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

As applications open for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy, one recent graduate, Te’Lario Watkins II of Ohio, exemplifies the transformative power of this Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program. Watkins, a 16-year-old aspiring entrepreneur, recently experienced a dream-come-true moment due to his participation in the academy.

Watkins, who has been running his own mushroom farm, Tiger Mushroom Farms, since the age of seven and started a non-profit Garden Club Project to address food insecurity in his community, caught the attention of investor Daymond John during the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy. John, a celebrity mentor at the event, was so inspired by Watkins’ story that he invited him to spend an afternoon on the set of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.

Walt Disney World arranged for Watkins and his father to fly from their home in Blacklick, Ohio to Los Angeles, California. There, John gave Watkins an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Shark Tank set, connected him with other entrepreneurs, and introduced him to the show’s other “Sharks.” The highlight for Watkins was the opportunity to learn business strategies from John, gain entrepreneurial insights, and acquire life lessons from one of the most well-known self-made millionaires of his generation.

“Being able to meet Daymond John again was super exciting to me,” said Watkins. “I wouldn’t be here without going to DDA. To high school students: applying to DDA would be one of the greatest decisions you’ve ever made in your life.”

Earlier today, Disney announced during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, that applications are now open for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. High school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves.

Disney Dreamers Academy 2025 Applications Now Open

The Disney Dreamers Academy is an annual four-day transformational program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It is designed to broaden career and personal development for a select group of 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America. These students will receive an all-expense-paid trip, along with one parent or guardian, to Walt Disney World Resort to experience a combination of inspiration, education, and fun at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

During the program, students attend in-depth workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with their dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment, and sciences, including opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.

Watkins was one of several teens from this year’s Disney mentoring program who had a life-changing experience following their involvement in the event. Elijah Moore of Norfolk, VA, an aspiring producer and musician, was flown to Los Angeles where he received a special tour of Dolby Studios and Walt Disney Studios. Orlando Ecung of Los Angeles, who dreams of being a business executive, attended the world premiere of the movie Inside Out 2 as a special guest of Walt Disney Studios.

Over the years, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,700 students from across the country. Graduates have gone on to become doctors, engineers, performing artists, entrepreneurs, Disney Cast Members, and more. Some have even transitioned into mentors for the next generation of Disney Dreamers.

Disney Dreamers Academy is a vital part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities. It encourages the next generation to think big and use what they learn in their relentless pursuit of their dreams to help make a difference in the lives of others.

CLICK HERE to nominate your favorite high school student today!

The post Daymond John and Disney Dreamers Academy Inspire Teen Entrepreneur with ‘Shark Tank’ Visit first appeared on The Source.

The post Daymond John and Disney Dreamers Academy Inspire Teen Entrepreneur with ‘Shark Tank’ Visit appeared first on The Source.

Daymond John Continues To Inspire For Black Entrepreneurs Day

October 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The iconic brand builder and game changer Daymond John is back to uplift and guide black entrepreneurs. The founder and CEO of FUBU and Co-Star of ABC’s four-time Emmy Award winning show, Shark Tank, has announced the fourth annual Black Entrepreneurs Day (BED). This year John will bring Whoopi Goldberg, Anthony Anderson, Cedric The Entertainer, Shaquille O’Neal, Cari Champion, Sloane Stephens, and more to discuss entrepeneurialship. Plus a special Hip Hop 50th celebration with rapper Rick Ross.

In conjunction with Medium Rare and The Shark Group, Black Entrepreneurs Day is an annual celebration of Black business aiming to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Focused at the intersection of Business and Entertainment, Black Entrepreneurs Day has quickly become one of the largest and most awarded Diversity and Inclusion events in the United States. In 2022 alone, BED attracted over 7.6 million broadcast viewers and took home two Webby Awards. This year’s free, global livestream will air on Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 across the Black Entrepreneurs Day Website, YouTube, Facebook, and more at 7 p.m. EST.

BED features Game Changer Conversations presented by The General Insurance®. The thoughtfully curated segment includes one-on-one discussions with Black businesses leaders and cultural icons including Whoopi Goldberg, Shaquille O’Neal, Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson, and Rick Ross moderated by Daymond John. Additionally, we are proud to have JPMorgan Chase powering conversations with tennis superstar Sloane Stephens and sports journalist Cari Champion.

As part of this year’s programming, acclaimed recording artist, Rick Ross will take over the renowned Apollo Theater stage for a special performance celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. Ross, known for his awe-inspiring vocal performances and lyrical masterpieces, is a supporter of Black entrepreneurs and is an entrepreneur himself owning more than three dozen QSR franchises across the country.

Since its inception, Black Entrepreneurs Day has provided guidance and inspiration to the next generation of rising entrepreneurs as well as over $750,000 in business grants via the “NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant,” created by Daymond John. Black Entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking financial support to take their business to the next level can apply now for a $25,000 NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant by visiting BEDGrant.com through October 11th, 2023.

“We may be three years out from the George Floyd travesty and the height of support for Black Lives Matter, but the need for resources and community support for our Black businesses remains paramount. I salute our partners who year after year, support our mission to educate and inspire Black entrepreneurs around the globe,” said John. He continued, “This is a full circle moment for me. We will once again host the event at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, a place where I started my very own entrepreneurial journey by selling FUBU hats on the street. And it’s even more poignant as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop which has transcended music to be such an important cultural force for so many.”

Black Entrepreneurs Day is excited to welcome its A-list guests and business leaders to The World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem in front of a live studio audience. The legendary Apollo Theater plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding in 1934, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

“As we embark on the fourth year of the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant, we are thrilled to once again open the doors of opportunity for Black entrepreneurs across the nation. Through the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant, we are providing the support and resources necessary to enable Black enterprises to not only thrive but also drive positive change in their respective sectors,” said Yumeka Rushing, NAACP Chief Strategy Officer. “We invite aspiring and established Black entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and join us in shaping a brighter future for all. The NAACP remains committed to fostering economic growth and sustainability for Black communities. This is what advocacy in action looks like.”

The post Daymond John Continues To Inspire For Black Entrepreneurs Day first appeared on The Source.

The post Daymond John Continues To Inspire For Black Entrepreneurs Day appeared first on The Source.

Daymond John Celebrates Drake Wearing Fubu on Brand’s 35th Anniversary: ‘If I Can Do It, Anybody Can Do It’

August 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Daymond John Curates 'Black Entrepreneurs Day' for October 24

Drake pulled up to an NBA open run with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and more playing. But he was the talk of the game due to his hair and the oversized FUBU shirt he wore. Reacting to the moment was FUBU creator Daymond John.

“Time and time, I’ve seen Megan Thee stallion, SZA, Chris Brow, and now Drake. These people are defining our culture today, and to see something my partner and I came up with 35 years ago in our basement,” John said to TMZ. “They say trends come and go; fashion is forever. To see them rediscover the brand in the 50th year of Hip-Hop, it’s just an amazing thing. If I can do it, anybody can do it. Shoutout to Drake and the amazing artist who can educate the culture.”

You can see Drake don FUBU below.

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A post shared by FUBU (@fubu)

The post Daymond John Celebrates Drake Wearing Fubu on Brand’s 35th Anniversary: ‘If I Can Do It, Anybody Can Do It’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Daymond John Celebrates Drake Wearing Fubu on Brand’s 35th Anniversary: ‘If I Can Do It, Anybody Can Do It’ appeared first on The Source.

Drake Performs “God’s Plan” With A Fan, Gets Massive Praise From FUBU Founder Daymond John

August 20, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Whether you love Drake or love to hate him, you can’t deny that the Canadian has always been a pro at walking to the beat of his own drum. Rather than looking outside of himself for inspiration, the legendary lyricist follows his intuition, even if it leads him toward some serious fashion risks. So far this year he’s been clowned for getting a pink manicure, and more recently, wearing clips of the same colour while switching up his usual hairstyle. It’s clear that not everyone was feeling those, but the FUBU shirt Drizzy donned at the same time is earning him some major flowers from founder Daymond John.

“Drake, I mean one of the world’s top artists,” the creative gushed in a video shared by TMZ on Saturday (August 19). “Wearing a shirt – I’ve seen Megan Thee Stallion, Chris Brown, and now Drake,” John added. “These people are defining our culture today, and I think that to think about the fact that it’s something that my partners and I came up with 35 years ago in our basement.”

Daymond John is Pleased to See Celebs Making FUBU Fetch Again

The brain behind FUBU went on to point out that “trends come and go,” but it’s interesting to see the resurgence of the ’90s sportswear brand come together with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. “It’s just an amazing thing, and if I can do it, anybody can do it,” John encouraged any other aspiring designers out there.

“Shoutout to Drake and all the amazing artists that go back in the vault and educate people on part of the culture. I love it,” his public message to the rap world ended. Elsewhere in the news, the 6ix God has been entertaining crowds all across the country on his It’s All a Blur tour, even bringing one lucky fan out on stage to perform one of Drake’s biggest hits together.

Drake Performs “God’s Plan” with Help from a Fan

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A post shared by Our Generation Music (@ourgenerationmusic)

If you could perform any song from Drake’s discography live with the 36-year-old, which would you pick? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

[Via]

The post Drake Performs “God’s Plan” With A Fan, Gets Massive Praise From FUBU Founder Daymond John appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Daymond John Joins Board of Directors of Brooklyn Start Up Overtime

May 21, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Daymond John, an award-winning entrepreneur, will join Overtime’s Board of Directors, the premier brand for the next generation of sports fans. Following John’s nomination, the Board will be made up of five members: co-founders Dan Porter and Zack Weiner, Sapphire Sport Partner Michael Spirito, and former Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch Vice Chairman Ken Miller.

“It is an honor to join the Overtime Board of Directors at this exciting time in the company’s quick ascendence as one of the leading sports brands in the world,” said Overtime Board Member Daymond John. “Overtime continues to create disruptive sports IP, merchandise and content for its massive audience and it’s exciting to be able to add my expertise as the company grows to new heights.”

John will join an esteemed board in helping to shape the future of sports for the next generation of fans who consume sports differently. He is best known for his pioneering work as CEO and Founder of global lifestyle brand FUBU, as well as his role as a Shark on the Emmy Award-winning TV show Shark Tank.

“Daymond is an industry leader and entrepreneur with a unique lens that will be invaluable to Overtime as we continue to grow our business in the tech, e-commerce and IP space,” said Dan Porter, Overtime’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We’re honored to welcome Daymond to our Board of Directors as we develop new ways for Overtime to engage with and entertain the next generation of athletes and fans.”

Overtime has continued to expand its sports IP, which now includes the professional basketball league Overtime Elite and the football league OT7, with more leagues on the way. It reported last year that it had raised $80 million in Series C funding headed by Sapphire Sport, Black Capital, and a diversified syndicate of notable figures in technology, sports, finance, and music. Bezos Expeditions (Jeff Bezos’ personal investment firm), Drake, Micromanagement Ventures (the late David Stern’s family), Alexis Ohanian, Jeff Kearl (via Pelion Capital), Morgan Stanley Counterpoint Global, Blackstone Strategic Partners, and more than 25 current and former NBA players, including Trae Young, Devin Booker, Klay Thompson, and Pau Gasol, were among the notable investors.

Overtime has become synonymous with sports for a new generation of players and fans, with content that has been viewed over 20 billion times per year and a social media following of over 65 million. The company now employs around 250 people.

The post Daymond John Joins Board of Directors of Brooklyn Start Up Overtime appeared first on The Source.

‘The Eric Andre Show’ Confirmed for New Season Featuring Lil Yachty, Jon Hamm, Blac Chyna, Waka Flocka, and More

May 18, 2022 by newhiphopnews