Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. However, Black communities have largely been excluded from research and clinical trial studies. This exclusion directly impacts our understanding of risk for this group and prohibits the necessary steps towards intervention. The goal of this proposal is to generate culturally tailored approaches to engage Black individuals in Los Angeles in brain health research, the first step in the development of the Black Brain Health Network (BBHN). The BBHN will serve as an interface for academia and community to build a long-lasting partnership to further the advancement of overall health in Black communities. In order to do this, we must first work towards understanding the needs of the Black communities in Los Angeles. Thus, we have brought together an interdisciplinary team with experience in community engaged research strategies and neuroscience research specific to Black life. First, we aim to establish the BBHN through community partnerships by using targeted, culturally tailored outreach approaches. Next, we aim to understand awareness and perception around neurodegenerative disorders by hosting focus groups. Finally, we plan to start recruitment in a Black health registry that can be used for clinical trial and research studies. We also plant to host a Black Brain Health Fair during this time for recruitment and in order to give back to the community. Completion of these aims will generate new, and strengthen existing, community
relationships, culturally relevant and effective education materials, and a brain health registry, along with publications. These relationships will help to further a health equity research plan for Black Los Angeles communities that will be used for future NIH funding to explore risk factors related to Black health.