Dancing into Brain Health (S2 Ep8): Exposing Dementia through the Arts
Dementia does not affect all communities equally. In the United States, African Americans are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, shaped by a complex interplay of cardiovascular health, structural inequities, access to care, lifelong socioeconomic factors, and genetic influences. Addressing these disparities requires more than medical advances—it calls for trusted community leadership, culturally relevant education, and powerful storytelling that can reduce stigma and inspire action.
In this episode of the Dancing into Brain Health podcast, we are joined by award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and founder of Expose Dementia, Chuck Nathaniel Brown. Following his own family's experience with dementia, Chuck has dedicated his career to using film, literature, community engagement, and the arts to transform how we understand dementia—particularly within African American communities.
Through his documentary Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community, his book Exposing Dementia: 8 Critical Takeaways for African Americans, and the annual Expose Dementia Conference, he has built a vibrant grassroots movement that brings together artists, researchers, healthcare professionals, care partners, and people living with dementia.
Together, we explore the extraordinary role that the arts can play in increasing awareness, fostering dialogue, challenging stigma, and creating spaces where communities can learn, heal, and advocate together.
Listen here
“And we called it Expose Dementia because it’s still a hidden secret in a lot of communities. It’s still taboo. So we said - No, we’re gonna expose it.
We’re Exposing Dementia.
And then from there, let’s address these issues. Let’s build programs. Let’s find out how to make the connection with the people who have the resources to the people who want and need the resources.”
Listen to Season 2, Episode 8 now: Exposing Dementia through the Arts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Youtube.
Learn more about C. Nathaniel Brown:
C. Nathaniel Brown is an award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, and storytelling coach. In addition to being CEO of the Atlanta-based media and entertainment company Expected End Entertainment, Brown is founder and Executive Director of Expose Dementia Inc., a nonprofit organization that uses the arts and media to educate about dementia, erase stigma, and advocate for those living with dementia and their care partners. He is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
After feeling the impact that dementia has had on his family, the Baltimore native produced a short film called That’s My Brother, which depicted a portion of his aunt and cousin’s story. That led to the creation of Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community, an award-winning documentary that features interviews with people living with dementia, their care partners, dementia researchers, and other dementia experts. The documentary has screened in cities across the country including in Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans at Essence Fest.
Brown is also the author of Exposing Dementia: 8 Critical Takeaways for African Americans, his 21st book that also seeks to educate the community about dementia and its impact. Nurse scientist Dr. Fayron Epps, who is also featured in the documentary, wrote the foreword for the book.
Brown and his team also host the annual Expose Dementia Conference which brings together people from all over the country to experience the impact of the arts and media. The conference includes a comedy show, film festival, art exhibition and educational sessions from dementia experts including music, art, dance, and Lego therapists.
In his spare time, Brown enjoys eating pizza; watching sports and movies; and spending time with family and friends. He resides in Atlanta with his wife of 31 years, Tarai Alexander.
Awards and Recognitions
Maude’s Award for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care
Dementia Arts Impact Award presented by Dementia Spring Foundation
The Leader in Alzheimer’s Support Award presented by James M. Dixon Foundation
International Impact Book Award in Health for Exposing Dementia: 8 Critical Takeaways for African Americans
Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community – Best Documentary; Best Script; Best Feature Film; and Best Director
Proclamation from Mayor Sandra Vincent of the City of McDonough, GA, recognizing Remember Me and C. Nathaniel Brown’s impact in the community.
Ginny Gives Award presented by Dementia Society of America
Read and watch more:
Remember Me: Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease in the African American Community
Papa’s Song – Short Film About a Family Navigating Dementia
This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten.
ABOUT DANCING INTO BRAIN HEALTH PODCAST
Join host Magda Kaczmarska, dancer, researcher, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health and executive director of arts and health nonprofit, DanceStream Projects, in uncovering the interconnections of dance, brain health and community. Each episode Magda brings together leading researchers, artists, advocates and thought leaders to illuminate the magical interconnections of dance and brain health and explore their influence on all aspects of our lives.
* New Episodes every month! *
Follow us on IG: @ dancestream_projects and YouTube: @dancestreamprojects
or email us at: magda@dancestreamprojects.com