Wisdom Watch is committed to advocating for elders and caregivers, with compassion, dignity and respect.
Wisdom Watch aims to make a unique contribution to addressing health equity gaps by increasing access to high-quality screenings for dementia within Richmond’s Black community. The goal is to empower Black elders and their loved ones to recognize early dementia signs, to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Our Contribution
About Us
Wisdom Watch was created as a volunteer alliance by three colleagues in the Richmond community who had one thing in common: Wanting to answer a call to make a personal contribution to addressing health equity gaps impacting Richmond's African American elders. Statistics show African American elders are twice as likely to have dementia when compared with their White counterparts.
Our Commitment
Wisdom Watch Alliance is committed to making screenings available in trusted community spaces, such as churches and libraries, where participants are able to experience a sense of belonging, while engaging with culturally informed clinicians and other advocates. The alliance stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, including those based on race, age, ability, or cognitive status. The work of Wisdom Watch Alliance is guided by the belief that every elder deserves compassionate, culturally responsive care that honors their dignity, celebrates their identity, and supports their full humanity.
Early intervention is important.
Knowledge and skill can reduce stigma and fear surrounding dementia. Knowledge and skill also can improve self-care, and make our community more resilient.
The Co-Founders
Lisa Brownlee Johnson
Wisdom Watch co-founder Lisa Brownlee Johnson, a three-time graduate of VCU, is a nurse practitioner and entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of healthcare experience who was born and raised in Richmond. Johnson, a veteran journalist, worked as a primary care provider for more than a decade, before deciding to shift to a more holistic approach to health, focusing on self-determination and healing from within. Throughout her time in primary care, Johnson experienced an ever-growing passion for wellness and elders. In addition to helping to establish Wisdom Watch, Johnson is a functional medicine practitioner, mental health educator, and founder of Richmond-based specialty health agency Atypical Care LLC.
Regina Foster
Wisdom Watch co-founder Regina Foster is a gerontologist and entrepreneur, who worked as a VCU clinician for several years in the specialty field of urology, while gaining expertise in the academic science of gerontology. She is passionately anti-ageist and holds a master's degree in gerontology from VCU. Foster's studies were inspired by lived experience as a long-distance caregiver for her late grandmother, who had dementia. Foster has been able to transform her lived experience into a mission to educate caregivers on the skill and expertise required to care for elders. Foster, who has distinguished herself as a leader in senior care and training for caregivers, also is founder of Foster Senior Services. Foster's many accomplishments include being the visionary creator of QueenAged, a premium skincare brand that offers products for addressing the skin challenges faced by women as we age.
Dr. Stephen B. Towns Sr.
Wisdom Watch co-founder Dr. Stephen Brian Towns Sr., a servant leader and author, is pastor and founder of Real Life Ministries, Church of God In Christ. Towns has served in ministry for nearly 30 years, touching countless lives across the nation. His leadership includes being a fierce advocate for health equity and combating elder abuse. Towns holds a doctorate in strategic leadership with a concentration in healthcare leadership from Regent University, as well as dual master's degrees in divinity and Christian education from Virginia Union University.
Our Services
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Wisdom Watch is committed to raising awareness of dementia, elder abuse, and related health equity issues by organizing and participating in high-impact educational programs and community events.
COMMUNITY SCREENINGS
Wisdom Watch provides screenings for dementia in nonmedical, community settings in an effort to support early intervention, self-determination and improved outcomes. Read about our work.
Partner With Us
Bring brain health literacy and cognitive screenings to your community.
Wisdom Watch Alliance invites churches,
neighborhood groups, and other community organizations to partner with us to raise awareness of dementia and elder abuse.
You bring the people and a welcoming place to gather. We bring the resources and skills to provide private, high-quality, culturally informed cognitive screenings,
at no cost to participants.
Reach out to Wisdom Watch Alliance to coordinate a screening opportunity for your members and neighbors.
Together, we can make it easier
for people to ask questions, recognize changes,
and find informed next steps.
Learn More
Wisdom Watch Alliance Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All community allies
are welcome to support our mission of increasing dementia literacy, combating elder abuse, and supporting caregivers in the Richmond community. Your support not only helps to improve dementia literacy,
it also makes it possible to provide screenings in community settings
for individuals who may be experiencing cognitive changes
at no cost to the individuals being screened.
MAKE A UNIQUE DIFFERENCE
Wisdom Watch Alliance is unique because of the alliance’s commitment to self-determination and improving access to much-needed screening and early recognition of dementia in Richmond’s African American community.
ADDRESS HEALTH GAPS
By donating to Wisdom Watch Alliance, you are making a difference by helping
to address the disproportionate burden of dementia
in Richmond’s African American community.