Forgotten Voices in Black and Brown Communities.

The silent crisis of Alzheimer’s disease in Black and Brown communities is too often overlooked. Despite facing significantly higher risks than white Americans, these groups experience delayed diagnoses, limited access to care, and are underrepresented in clinical trials.

Alzheimer’s disease casts a particularly dark shadow over Black and Brown communities in America. Through both personal experience and research, I’ve come to understand the painful reality: these communities face disproportionately higher rates of Alzheimer’s, yet remain deeply underrepresented in research initiatives and support programs designed to address the disease.

I often talk with a close friend—a brilliant AI and data scientist—who shares my concern about this growing disparity. She’s doing incredible work using AI and data to better understand and diagnose Alzheimer’s, especially within Black and Brown populations. But her work is hampered by a significant challenge: the lack of adequate, representative data needed to drive meaningful progress.

The statistics are alarming. African American communities face significantly higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease than other populations. Yet, diagnoses often come much later—when the disease has already progressed—limiting the effectiveness of interventions. This delay stems from a combination of factors: stigma surrounding cognitive decline, low awareness of early symptoms, limited access to specialized care, and a long-standing mistrust of the medical system.

Research reveals deeply troubling trends: nearly 50% of Black Americans report experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings. More than half—53%—say they’re skeptical about receiving fair access to potential cures. Even more concerning, 55% believe cognitive decline is simply a natural part of aging, rather than a treatable condition requiring medical attention. With 65% of individuals in these communities knowing someone affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s, the impact is widespread—yet too often hidden in silence.

It’s clear that current efforts aren’t enough. Despite growing awareness, initiatives promoting early intervention, research, and clinical trial participation in Black and Brown communities remain woefully inadequate. Traditional approaches have failed to close the trust gap or address the unique challenges these communities face.

That’s why my friend and I envisioned a passion project: a campaign specifically designed to empower families affected by Alzheimer’s in Black and Brown communities. Our campaign takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than treating data collection as the end goal, we center human benefit and community empowerment from the start.

Through culturally responsive programming tailored to the needs of Black and Brown families, we aim to build trust and create meaningful pathways for engagement. This not only fosters a more supportive care environment but also paves the way for stronger participation in clinical research and drug trials. It’s a simple concept—center the people, not just the data—but one that has yet to be widely embraced.

Our initiative focuses on shifting the narrative: helping individuals recognize that Alzheimer’s is not just “getting old,” but a disease that deserves attention, compassion, and treatment. By expanding education, building support networks, and amplifying advocacy, we can reshape how these communities understand and respond to cognitive decline.

This work is not just about increasing clinical trial diversity—though that’s a critical outcome. At its core, this campaign is about restoring agency to communities that have been systematically overlooked in the fight against Alzheimer’s. It’s about making sure that when progress comes, it comes for everyone.