Disneyland parks honor Black heritage with ‘Celebrate Soulfully’
Disney’s “Celebrate Soulfully” honors Black heritage and culture through music, art and food at Disney Parks.
It’s an event that happens every February at Walt Disney World in Florida and made its way to Anaheim for the first time this month, kicking off on Feb. 19 with musical performances, special experiences and more planned for Feb. 26 and beyond.
“Celebrate Soulfully” is also part of Disney Parks’ “Reimagine Tomorrow” endeavor, which aims to spotlight underrepresented voices and untold stories.
“‘Celebrate Soulfully’ is about how we amplify our longstanding commitment to two things: inclusion and storytelling,” said Disney spokesperson Princeton Parker. “And what I love is we are a storytelling company. What we get the chance to do through events like ‘Celebrate Soulfully’ is to figure out how do we amplify those stories and how we invite people to step into those stories. And we do that through a number different offerings from food, to art and, of course, music.”
At Downtown Disney, the outdoor LIVE! Stage features afternoon and evening performances of gospel music from local groups like Los Angeles-based Singers of Soul.
“Singers of Soul is a group that I started in 2013,” said founder Dedrick Bonner. “We get to do the most amazing things and spread the power of music, joy and love all together.”
‘Celebrate Soulfully’ event, which honors Black heritage with music, art and culture at Disneyland, Downtown Disney and California Adventure.
The group’s show on Feb. 19, which included an a cappella performance and a version of “Joyful, Joyful” from 1993’s “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” also spread representation.
“It is definitely important, especially in this climate and in this area, to represent Black history and all that we as Black people stand for and what we represent,” said Morgan Williams, a vocalist in Singers of Soul. “I wish I would have seen stuff like this when I was a little kid. I am always glad to see little Black girls and little Black boys see us and see what we do.”
Joslynn James, also a vocalist with Singers of Soul, said their music reaches beyond Black families.
“I know it’s our month, it’s Black History Month, but seeing how it is literally spreading love throughout the park and to see the impact that it is having on just everyone … it is truly magical,” she said.
Besides the music, the addition of Post21 to Downtown Disney, a new kiosk that offers design-forward merchandise from Black-owned businesses, is one example of how the resort is honoring Black heritage for the long term.
Disney also introduced an art experience from chalk muralist Marcella Swett, who creates a different piece each week on Downtown Disney’s sidewalks. Although Swett has worked with Disney before, doing Black Panther artwork and copies of the masters, she was granted artistic freedom for this project, a condition she said is huge.
“I like to do a lot of symbolism, I like to tell a story with art,” said Swett. “Each one of the pieces is telling a story and of course it is related to African American history and Black history.”
On Feb. 19, her mural featured a girl with long, detailed braids, surrounded by the seeds of a plant and butterflies.
“What I wanted to do was tell the story of the braids in African culture,” said Swett. “A lot of people don’t realize the story of how when slaves were being sent to different locations they would hide seeds and braid them into their braids, so when they got to their destination they could plant something like a secret garden, they knew they had nourishment.”
Swett said guests have approached her to talk about her art, and the dialogue her murals create is important.
“I am using this opportunity to speak for me, and it has been amazing what people say. It has been giving me the voice to talk to people about this,” Swett said. “Me being here and telling African American history, I am a testament to resilience and strength and what my ancestors went through.”
Swett’s previous murals have included depictions of African textiles, patterns and afro hair styles. Swett said she talks to guests about the Crown Act, a California law which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture.
Inside Disneyland Park, Parker said the storytelling continues with “Celebrate Gospel.”
“Gospel music has an extremely strong impact on the story of Black Americans in this country and on our continued evolution to this day,” Parker said.
The Fantasyland Theater features gospel performances from community groups like Friendship Baptist Church Choir from Yorba Linda, KJHL Radio Free Voices from Inglewood and award-winning headliners like Kierra Sheard. Scheduled performers include contemporary Christian Chicago-based artist Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music, a contemporary gospel artist that blends gospel, R&B and hip-hop music.
An installation on the history of gospel music also accompanies the show along with a gratitude wall where guests can write down something they are thankful for to add to the wall.
Music continues nightly with jazz performances in the lobby of Disney’s Grand California Hotel, and a special menu at Hearthstone Lounge inside the hotel features wine from Black-owned vineyards and breweries like McBride Sisters Collection, Brown Estate Napa Valley and Crown & Hops Brewing Co.
Over in Disney California Adventure, more long-term representation appears in the form of “Warriors of Wakanda” at Avengers Headquarters, a show that features the Dora Milaje, the Black Panther’s bodyguards. Although the Wakanda tribe is fictional, the female warriors’ message is one that resonates with guests.
“I thought it was such a powerful message that everybody needs today. I get emotional,” said Victoria Scholerman, an Oregon resident who was on her second visit to the park. “As a teacher, I teach third grade, and I feel that every person needs a message like this to build their strength and their confidence.”
Disney Parks is hosting “Celebrate Soulfully,” an event that honors Black heritage with music, art and culture.
Parker said events like this bring people together.
“These events are things that our company does to speak to communities, and even invite people who aren’t from those communities to learn, to live and to celebrate the value of culture.”
Parker said he is also happy to be part of pushing forward narratives that connect strongly with guests.
“There are two important Disney moments that will happen for a lot of folks. The first is when you see the brand in you,” said Parker. “It is when you ride an attraction for the first time. It is when you see your favorite Disney film for the first time. But to me, the second and oftentimes more powerful moment is when you see yourself in the brand.”
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