Purposefully
Pursuing
Peace
Equipping Today's Leaders For Tomorrow Through
Story + Humor + Song
About DaMar
DaMar RaeShawn Dowell, MAOL is a dynamic speaker, educator, musician, and author committed to being a bridge of compassion, empathy, and hope. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, his journey took a dramatic turn at 18 when he faced a decade in prison—a fate overturned by a miraculous pardon.
Determined to make the most of his second chance, he pursued higher education, earning degrees in Communication and Media Arts (Erie Community College), Music Production (Full Sail University), and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership (Gonzaga University).
For over two decades, DaMar has been a catalyst for change, impacting communities locally and globally. He taught for 7 years in Middle and High School before transitioning to entrepreneurship, becoming the president and co-founder of Equipped Trainings, a consulting firm specializing in cultural and professional development, serving multi-billion-dollar corporations, schools, and nonprofits.
His expertise in leadership has shaped “Purposefully Pursuing Peace: 1NESS Fueled Through Leadership” an upcoming book designed to equip, engage, and empower individuals in their leadership journey.
Beyond consulting, DaMar has dedicated himself to youth mentorship, offering a 12-week leadership development course to underserved students and delivering keynote addresses at schools and universities nationwide.
With nearly three decades of experience as a musician, producer, and songwriter—collaborating with Billboard-charting artists—his creative background enhances his ability to connect, inspire, and lead.
Above all, DaMar’s greatest joy is his family. He has been married to Carissa for nearly 20 years, finding his deepest fulfillment in their life together with their children.
Giant Slayers | For Students
Learning Outcomes
Speaking Topics
Creating Healthy Boundaries | For Teachers + Staff
Learning Outcomes
1NESS
Learning Outcomes
Giant Slayers | For Students - Every leader has the potential to become a Giant Slayer—a bold, results-driven problem solver who thrives under pressure and remains steady in the face of adversity. Giant Slayers don’t view challenges as roadblocks; they see them as stepping stones to growth and advancement. In this dynamic, high-energy keynote, DaMar unveils the three giants that stand in the way of every leader: Fear, Doubt, and Unbelief. These internal battles hold people back from seizing opportunities, pursuing their purpose, and stepping into their full potential. Through personal storytelling, real-world strategies, humor, and even a little singing, DaMar equips audiences with the mindset and tools to confront these giants head-on. Attendees will walk away feeling empowered, emboldened, and unstoppable in their leadership journey. LEARNING OUTCOMES: ✅ Fear Mastery – Learn how to recognize fear as an illusion and develop the courage to take decisive action despite uncertainty. ✅ Doubt Elimination – Discover the power of self-belief and how to silence the internal critic that limits growth. ✅ Unshakable Confidence – Understand the difference between ego and true confidence, and cultivate a leadership mindset rooted in wisdom and self-trust. ✅ Adaptive Leadership – Embrace challenges as opportunities and learn how to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented under pressure. ✅ The Power of Bold Choices – Understand how every decision shapes your leadership journey and learn to make choices that align with your purpose. ✅ Taking the Shot – Overcome hesitation, step into opportunities, and recognize that success is often on the other side of risk.
Creating Healthy Boundaries | Teachers + Staff - In education, the demands never stop—grading papers late at night, answering emails on weekends, and pouring into students while neglecting your own well-being. But who takes care of the teachers? In this transformative and engaging keynote, DaMar Dowell speaks directly to educators, school leaders, and staff about the urgent need to set healthy boundaries—not just in the classroom, but in life. With a mix of relatable stories, humor, and even a touch of music, DaMar shares practical strategies to help educators maintain work-life balance, emotional wellness, and a sense of self-worth beyond their job title. This session goes beyond simply saying “no” to extra responsibilities—it’s about redefining productivity, protecting your peace, and creating sustainable habits that allow you to thrive as both an educator and an individual. Attendees will leave feeling empowered to set clear, healthy boundaries that prevent burnout, increase joy, and enhance both personal and professional fulfillment. LEARNING OUTCOMES: ✅ Recognizing Your Inherent Value – Understand the difference between being valuable as a person versus being defined by your work. ✅ Work-Life Balance for Educators – Learn how to create realistic boundaries between school responsibilities and personal time without guilt. ✅ Mental and Emotional Wellness – Identify key warning signs of burnout and strategies to maintain resilience in high-pressure environments. ✅ The Power of Saying ‘No’ – Develop confidence in setting limits with colleagues, administrators, and even students to protect your time and energy. ✅ Sustaining Boundaries in a Helping Profession – Implement strategies to support students and staff without depleting yourself. ✅ Intentional Rest and Renewal – Explore practical ways to recharge, including writing a letter to your future self as a commitment to ongoing growth.
1NESS | Unified, Undaunted, Unstoppable - The 1NESS Leadership Experience is an electrifying keynote that challenges individuals to step into their full leadership potential by embracing authenticity, ethical action, and fearless perseverance. In this transformative session, DaMar unveils the three leadership pillars—Unified, Undaunted, and Unstoppable—equipping participants with the tools to cultivate deep self-awareness, break through limitations, and inspire change. Through storytelling, interactive dialogue, and even a bit of music, DaMar engages audiences in a powerful exploration of what it means to lead with integrity, purpose, and boldness. Maybe you’re a teacher, struggling to build genuine connections with students, administrators, and staff, hoping to cultivate a thriving school culture. Maybe you’re a manager, feeling the weight of an underperforming team, constantly battling frustration as you search for ways to inspire productivity. Maybe you’re a parent, watching your 13-year-old—who believes they have the world’s wisdom at their fingertips—dismiss your guidance as outdated. Perhaps you’re a coach, striving to lead with the heart of a mentor rather than the iron fist of a dictator. Or maybe you’re a student, trying to find your voice in a world that often speaks over you—balancing expectations, overcoming self-doubt, and figuring out how to lead when you don’t even feel ready. Have you ever wondered how to lead with confidence, inspire collaboration, and foster meaningful dialogue in a world that often seems to resist such principles? If so, strap in! LEARNING OUTCOMES: ✅ Unified Leadership – Learn how authenticity and ethical leadership create a foundation for trust, collaboration, and sustainable success. ✅ Fearless Pursuit – Discover how servant leadership transforms obstacles into opportunities and fuels relentless progress. ✅ Adaptive Thinking – Understand how to navigate uncertainty with wisdom, agility, and transformational leadership. ✅ Embracing Conflict for Growth – Develop strategies to handle tough conversations, embrace difficult decisions, and use adversity as a tool for leadership growth. ✅ Get Er Done – Recognize the power of decisive action and how it shapes both personal and professional success. ✅ The 1NESS Mindset – Walk away with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with practical leadership strategies that inspire unity, perseverance, and innovation.
DaMar
RaeShawn
Dowell
Speaker. Educator. Leader.
In a fragmented world, The Purposeful Pursuit of Peace offers a clear blueprint for
1NESS—a culture of collaboration, communication, and innovation.
I equip students, organizations, and teams to become change agents, empowering them to become Unified, Undaunted, and Unstoppable leaders.
New Book + Song Release
4/20/25
True leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about transformation.
This 12-week mentorship program is designed to equip leaders with the tools, mindset, and resilience to lead with authenticity, courage, and impact.
Rooted in The Purposeful Pursuit of Peace, this experience will challenge participants to unify their purpose, stand undaunted in the face of adversity, and become unstoppable change-makers in their communities, workplaces, and personal lives.
Through guided discussions, real-world application, and thought-provoking exercises, participants will develop their leadership philosophy, enhance emotional intelligence, and build the confidence to navigate complex challenges with integrity and vision.
Each session includes engaging activities, personal reflections, and dynamic group discussions to foster growth and accountability.
Unified Leadership
Authentic + Ethical
Week 1: Recognizing the Leader in You
Week 2: The Power of Authenticity
Week 3: Ethical Leadership
Week 4: Building a Culture of Trust
Undaunted Leadership
Servant
Week 5: Leading Through Fear
Week 6: The Servant Leader Mindset
Week 7: Overcoming Doubts
Week 8: Leading with Emotional Intelligence
Unstoppable Leadership
Adaptive + Transformational
Week 9: The Art of Adaptive Leadership
Week 10: Transformational Leadership
Week 11: Building Resilient Communities
Week 12: Becoming and Unstoppable Leader
Impact of
Purposefully Pursuing Peace
"I was deeply moved by DaMar’s engaging discussion centered around the profound concept of 1NESS. His message about following the signs and focusing on the small things resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me that even the smallest details can lead to significant change when we remain open and connected. DaMar’s visionary perspective continues to inspire me to pursue unity and purpose in all that I do."
Leyla A. - Canisius University
My biggest takeaway from shared time with DaMar is I am more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I have more confidence to embrace challenging or unfamiliar situations that may at times feel awkward or uneasy. DaMar has helped me see them as opportunities for personal growth and learning, which is necessary for progress.
Kim R. - Mount Mercy Academy
For the first time in a training setting, I felt truly heard and seen. It was more than just leadership development—it was a space for real transformation. DaMar helped me uncover new insights about myself and challenged me to grow in ways I never expected. I left feeling more confident, inspired, and ready to lead with purpose.
Tom E. - Rich Products
Impact of
Purposefully Pursuing Peace
"I was deeply moved by DaMar’s engaging discussion centered around the profound concept of 1NESS. His message about following the signs and focusing on the small things resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me that even the smallest details can lead to significant change when we remain open and connected. DaMar’s visionary perspective continues to inspire me to pursue unity and purpose in all that I do."
Leyla A. - Canisius University
"I was deeply moved by DaMar’s engaging discussion centered around the profound concept of 1NESS. His message about following the signs and focusing on the small things resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me that even the smallest details can lead to significant change when we remain open and connected. DaMar’s visionary perspective continues to inspire me to pursue unity and purpose in all that I do."
Leyla A. - Canisius University
My biggest takeaway from shared time with DaMar is I am more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I have more confidence to embrace challenging or unfamiliar situations that may at times feel awkward or uneasy. DaMar has helped me see them as opportunities for personal growth and learning, which is necessary for progress.
Kim R. - Mount Mercy Academy
Impact of
Purposefully Pursuing Peace
"I was deeply moved by DaMar’s engaging discussion centered around the profound concept of 1NESS. His message about following the signs and focusing on the small things resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me that even the smallest details can lead to significant change when we remain open and connected. DaMar’s visionary perspective continues to inspire me to pursue unity and purpose in all that I do."
Leyla A. - Canisius University
"I was deeply moved by DaMar’s engaging discussion centered around the profound concept of 1NESS. His message about following the signs and focusing on the small things resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me that even the smallest details can lead to significant change when we remain open and connected. DaMar’s visionary perspective continues to inspire me to pursue unity and purpose in all that I do."
Leyla A. - Canisius University
My biggest takeaway from shared time with DaMar is I am more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I have more confidence to embrace challenging or unfamiliar situations that may at times feel awkward or uneasy. DaMar has helped me see them as opportunities for personal growth and learning, which is necessary for progress.
Kim R. - Mount Mercy Academy
Be The Bridge
12-Week Leadership
Development Program
A Program Mentoring
Young Leaders From
2NESS -> 1NESS