Asheville Native Seth L. Bellamy Celebrates Yale Graduation

Seth L. Bellamy is a public health researcher, community organizer, and emerging author with a passion for building resilient, just, and healthy communities.

Seth is the son of Mr. Lamont and Dr. Terry M. Bellamy, and the brother of Imani Bellamy, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

A proud alumnus of the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA), Seth recently graduated from Yale University with a degree in the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health (HSHM). A recipient of the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship and the Nathan Hale Associates Scholarship, Seth has demonstrated a profound commitment to academic excellence, community empowerment, and public health equity throughout his undergraduate career.

During one of his transformative summer experiences, Seth served as a research assistant at UNC Chapel Hill’s Eshelman School of Pharmacy I, collaborating with the principal investigator to transcribe, code, and analyze qualitative data focused on suicide prevention. They focused on equipping pharmacists and auxiliary pharmacy workers with the skills to identify and support individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.

This work underscored pharmacies, a critical and often overlooked point of contact within the healthcare system, which often serve as accessible health hubs for many underserved populations.

Reflecting on his evolving understanding of public health, Seth notes, “I’ve come to realize that the goal of public health is not simply to eliminate disease, but to build trust and community partnerships that mitigate the root causes of preventable illness. Community-informed frameworks, especially those that honor cultural diversity, are essential to driving equitable outcomes, both locally and globally.”

This philosophy aligns closely with the mission of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, where Seth will begin working this fall toward a Master of Public Health degree. He hopes to continue his work at the intersection of policy, culture, and health outcomes while expanding his reach through research and advocacy.

At Yale, Seth held numerous leadership positions that reflected his dedication to inclusion and service. He served as president of both Black Pre-Health Students at Yale (BPHY) and BlackBrook, the Black affinity group of Saybrook College. Through these roles, he built meaningful programming, mentorship opportunities, and campus-wide dialogues focused on identity, medicine, and systemic change.

Seth is also a proud member of the Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., continuing a family legacy inspired by his father, Lamont Bellamy (Iota Rho, Fall 1992). “Alpha has always represented the kind of leadership and brotherhood that uplifts communities through action,” he said.

His efforts have garnered numerous awards including:

• Community Engagement Award – Yale Afro-American Cultural Center (2025)
• Mary Casner Prize – Saybrook College, Yale University (2025)
• History Counts Award – Color of Education Guiding Committee (2024)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lewis Scholar (2024)
• Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest Winner – Alpha Phi Alpha, Eastern Region (2024)
• Bridge to Tomorrow Scholarship – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (2024)
• Full-Tuition Scholarship – Yale University (2021)
• Asheville City Schools Foundation Applied Awesomeness Scholarship (2021)
• Charles Blair Health Scholarship (2021)
• City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy Scholarship (2021)

He has also participated in prestigious speaking and research roles, including:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Summer Scholars Summit – Presenter (2024)
• PharmAlliance Research Panel – Panelist (2023)
• Black Solidarity Conference – Moderator (2023)
• Alpha Phi Alpha Eastern Region Conference – Speaker (2024)
• African Americans in Western North Carolina Conference – Speaker (2021)

Seth’s senior thesis focused on the history of the racialization of bipolar disorder treatment in Black communities, tying together personal narratives via memoirs, historical analysis, and a call for culturally competent care.

Yale University, with an acceptance rate of just 4.62% for the Class of 2025, is globally recognized for cultivating students who embody the spirit of Yale and for pursuing academic excellence alongside public service and innovation. Seth Bellamy exemplifies this ethos.

As he transitions to graduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, Seth remains rooted in a mission to heal and empower communities through culturally responsive health policy, storytelling, and transformative leadership.