Exposing Dementia Through Creative Arts with Chuck Brown

Dementia is both a growing national crisis and a profound health equity issue, with African Americans facing nearly double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to white Americans.

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Chuck Brown, founder of Expose Dementia, shares how his personal journey caring for his aunt with dementia led him to confront his own lack of awareness and ultimately to found Expose Dementia, an organization that uses the arts, media, and storytelling to educate, reduce stigma, and spark dialogue, especially within the African American community. Through projects like the documentary Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community, Expose Dementia addresses mistrust in healthcare, the need for inclusive research, and the power of representation.

Chuck explains how Expose Dementia leverages creative expression, film, books, visual arts, and live experiences to humanize dementia, uplift caregivers’ voices, and change the narrative around the disease, while also identifying structural gaps in care. While the organization centers African American experiences, Chuck emphasizes the importance of cross-community collaboration, exemplified by their annual conference, which brings diverse groups together through a shared commitment to brain health and the arts. He also explores the emerging role of technology and AI in education, advocacy, and awareness, and his belief in amplifying innovative tools as they arise.

Cuck offers guidance for caregivers and individuals concerned about brain health, stressing honesty, early action, and self-care. He highlights the “six pillars of brain health”: mental stimulation, exercise, diet, sleep, stress reduction, and social connection, and underscores that prioritizing quality of life and personal well-being is essential for sustaining both caregivers and communities.

Tune in for a powerful conversation with Chuck Brown on how storytelling, art, and community can change the way we understand dementia and care for one another!

Resources

• Connect with Chuck Brown on LinkedIn here.

• Visit the Expose Dementia website here.