first-year orientation/new student events/week of welcome

Darryl uses the thousands of fears he's collected from first-year students to help them embrace their new normal.

darryl bellamy jr youth speaker in north carolina

MORE THAN A "KEYNOTE SPEECH" IT'S A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE

For first-year students, new people, places, and experiences can be both exhilarating and daunting.

I empower students with practical ways to embrace discomfort and step out of their comfort zones to fully engage with all that college has to offer.  

I fear being a first-generation college student will cause me to fail.

I fear that I won't be accepted for my true goals and aspirations and that I won't be able to use my voice because I'm scared of what others will think.

I fear that I won’t reach the level of success, I hope that i will - that will let myself down

I fear I’m not good enough compared to my peers

I fear that I will fail to meet the expectations of my mentors (Parents, Faculty) and myself

I fear I won't be able to stay here because I don't have the financial resources.

Real challenges shared by real students

ONLY WATCH THESE VIDEOS IF YOU WANT AN EXPERIENCE STUDENTS WON'T STOP TALKING ABOUT!

International Speaker, TedX, Author & Student Fear Researcher

PAST ORIENTATION COUNSELOR TURNED SPEAKER

Involved student turned fearful movement leader

Darryl Bellamy Jr.

As a former chanting Orientation Counselor and Resident Advisor for first-year students, I have a deep understanding of the struggles and fears that incoming students face.

Over the years, I have collected thousands of written fears from students, and have developed practical strategies to help students extend beyond their comfort zones and make the most of their new experiences.

I take pride in being highly engaging and practical, inspiring students while also motivating them to take action long after I've left their campus or event.

My passion is empowering your students to become their best selves, and I am eager to help your community achieve its goals, improve retention rates, and make a lasting impact!

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STUDENTS | YOUTH | TEENS

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Why first year programs continue to
choose darryl's programs...

First-Year, New Student, Orientation, Week of Welcome, First Generation Students, and more - Darryl has you covered!

VULNERABILITY

Darryl has been a speaker for our Welcome Week at Marian University for the last two years and we're looking forward to bringing him back for years to come. Our students rave about this program and love how Darryl creates an environment where they can be vulnerable with their peers.

Tyler Paul

Assistant Director of First Year Experience,
Marian University, Indianapolis

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EMPOWERING

Darryl Bellamy, knows how to reach into the hearts and minds of those he speaks with. His ability to give students confidence about who and what they are, is so powerfully uplifting and empowering. Looking forward to having more visits from Darryl. I highly recommend him for any discussion in self development and improvement.

Wayne Williamsliams

Assistant Director of Student Services
UMass Dartmouth

WHISKED AWAY

Darryl was able to make the online webinar a "Wizard of Oz Experience", we definitely were whisked away for the entire presentation.

Jamilla Johnson

First-Year Experience Coordinator
Maryland Eastern Shore

ENGAGING

Darryl was upbeat and had the audience engaged from the minute he stepped on stage. He connected with the students and it was interesting watching how they responded to what he was saying. The "I fear" messages were powerful, so powerful that I am having them typed up to give to faculty to show them what our students are dealing with on an everyday basis.

Joy Brittain

Director of FYE and Student Support
Mary Baldwin University

best events for students and colleges in north carolina

darryl bellamy jr. youth keynote speaker

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Darryl's experience spans a diverse range of colleges and universities, including public, private, traditional, community, and technical institutions of all sizes. Additionally, he has collaborated with multiple student-serving companies and organizations.

Do you lOVE seeing a shift in your new students?

well, we do too!

Writing my own book!

In 2010 I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder. I was always in the hospital and was bullied to the point where I almost committed suicide twice. I was admitted to the hospital, but I felt like giving up because I was in so much pain. I recently had a chemo treatment, and it worked. I have been kidney disorder free for 9 months! You talking about being fearless inspired me to write my own book or write a play based on my pain and hurt and tell it in a positive light.

Honest with parents

I finally decided to tell my parents about my bad grades. I thought they were going to get very mad at me, but they said it was ok and they started helping me with my homework. My grades have gone up a lot. Your speech caused me to tell them. Thank you!

Fearless through failure

A fearless moment of mine is when I competed in the Senior Concerto competition. I feared that I wasn't going to win, and I really wanted to win. But in the end, during the competition, I gave my best and played my music. I didn't win in the end, and my fear came true, but in the end, I think it has made me a stronger musician who can accept failure a bit better now.

I ran for office

"Last week I learned a lot, and it helped me get the courage to run for Academic Chair of my fraternity and give a speech in front of everyone. It was not easy getting up there, and I ended up losing by two votes. Reminded me of your situation and I was able to keep a positive attitude afterward."

Hard Conversations

I acted out of my comfort zone and had a hard conversation. I told all of my best friends about what I was feeling inside and they understood and even related to me. It felt SO GOOD!

every student gets a band, given to over 70,000 around the world.

Nervous New Student Takes FIRST Step!

Whenever i'm nervousI received a fearless bracelet after hearing you at the University of Redlands, and I’ve not taken mine off. Whenever I'm nervous, I run my finger along the words on the bracelet. Trying to live fearlessly has been amazing. I’ve finally taken the first step and am seeing a counselor. I've made many new friends, all because I'm living fearlessly.

Freshmen Gets Help with Mental Health

I wanted to let you know that I talked to someone, as fear was something I had always dealt with from about the age of 7. I told them about my fears of eating and gaining weight. I also told them I was battling an eating disorder and feared I might die if I struggle with it anymore. The bracelet you give has helped me talk about my eating disorder and self-harm behavior for my own good. I just wanted to thank you for everything you do.

Orientation Counselor Inspires New College Student

A frog (Orientation Leader) has a first-year who is incredibly nervous. Apparently, her eyes well up with tears even when saying her name in front of everyone, and she’s very withdrawn. Yesterday he pulled her aside, and she got upset and said she’s so scared, and he GAVE HER HIS FEARLESS BRACELET TO WEAR. Now every time she speaks, she looks at the inside first!

Darryl the "Dating Coach"

I'm originally from Seattle Washington, so I felt like I didn't fit in here, but after your presentation, I saw that I wasn't alone in that. Because of your presentation, I went out of my comfort zone, did the 5-second rule, and asked to hang out with some people on my floor, and now I have a good friend group that I really enjoy being around. I also finally got the courage to go talk to this girl and ask her out and hang out with her. I just wanted to say thank you, it definitely made me feel more comfortable being here.

Lets talk about

how i can help...

Do you prefer phone, text, or email?

Text "Fearless" to "980-217-2441" or email us at hello@fearlessinisde.com

Have no fear! This form only starts the conversation. Think of it as a first date. :)

Do you prefer phone, text, or email?

Text "Fearless" to "980-217-2441" or email us at hello@fearlessinside.com

Darryl Bellamy is a motivational and leadership speaker with a tailored message for your youth, high school, middle school, teens, leaders, staff, school assembly, conference, or event.

He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has traveled to 38 states, the Bahamas, and Canada, with his impactful message for attendees.  

Darryl has experience speaking in-person and virtually presenting keynotes and workshops to educational and school audiences of all sizes including: student leadership conferences, youth conferences, school assemblies, red ribbon weeks, drug and alcohol prevention, bullying, and as a guest speaker for speaker series, and events to build community, belonging, and inclusion.

He's also spoken for Upward Bound programs, during Red Ribbon Weeks, for DECA, FBLA, and for a myriad of companies, organizations, and non-profits that serve youth, teens, and students of all ages.

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THEIR FIRST YEAR IS BETTER WITH

COURAGE. Fearless Inside offers keynote

and custom experiences that inspire first-

year students to act in-spite of their worries

and fears.

THEIR FIRST YEAR IS BETTER

WITH COURAGE. Fearless Inside

offers keynote and custom

experiences that inspire

first-year students to act

in-spite of their worries

and fears.

Are your students

struggling with?

Fear and anxiety of college and what’s to come

The fear of failure academically and not finding their place socially

Feelings of loneliness as they embark n their new journey

Asking for help and utilizing resources when they are in need

Confidence in their abilities as they transition from high school to college

SUCCEED

THROUGH

fear

during

your

first-year

Orientation

Counselor

TURNED

MOVEMENT LEADER.

Engaging

inspiring

Queue the music, engagement, and everything in between! Whether it be an In-person or virtual experience, your students will be engaged from start to finish.

FEARLESS EXPERIENCE GUIDE

Download topics, descriptions, and more for your event.

Download

Experiences:

(available as keynote, workshop, or series)

BOOK FEARLESS INSIDE

darryl bellamy jr north carolina youth speaker and student events leader

Fire &

fears

Fire on the screen and notecards in hand, students write down their fears and place them in a fire pit (NOT real fire.)
‍

I fear I won’t be able to handle my mental health struggles

I fear I won’t make my parents proud with all they sacrificed

I fear I’ll never find what I’m meant to do in this world

I fear being a first-generation college student puts me at a disadvantage

I fear I won’t make friends or create meaningful relationships

I fear that I won’t be able to handle the new environment. won’t fit in, and end up back in my hometown.

You are next!

Community

connection

Students connect on commonly-shared fears. They learn the purpose of fear in their lives while learning practical ways to overcome some of their biggest struggles.

BOOK FEARLESS INSIDE

I talked to someone...

Whenever i'm nervous

Eyes well up with tears

I asked her out!

Orientation counselor turned movement leader

Darryl Bellamy Jr.

As a past chanting Orientation Counselor and Resident Advisor to a floor of first-year, Darryl understands the struggles and journeys of first-year students. He’s an award-winning speaker who has collected more written students' fears than anyone in the world.

He’s impacted thousands of students during Orientations, Week of Welcome, and Fist-Year programming events. In addition, he’s been seen on various news programs (THE CW, CBS) sharing his message.

Darryl has received multiple awards, including his Alma Mater’s Ten Under Ten and the Charlotte Black Chamber’s Thirty Under Thirty awards. He’s also a TEDx Speaker, the author of two books, a husband and a father.

BOOK FEARLESS INSIDE