About the Conference

​A key aim of this first-ever conference series is to cultivate a culturally competent workforce committed to addressing Black men’s brain health, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (AD/ADRD) research. This research fellowship program is a signature component of this Conference.





The Black Men’s Brain Health (BMBH) Conference during Super Bowl week aims to convene scientists, practitioners, and community partners to:
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Raise awareness about brain science research among Black men
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Create a bridge to scientists, practitioners, & community partners to increase the inclusion of Black men in brain science research and to improve brain health among Black men
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Cultivate a culturally competent workforce committed to addressing Black men’s brain health, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (AD/ADRD) research.
Conference Program
Download the BMBH Conference Program for a detailed agenda, in-depth information on all conference speakers, scholars, and organizers, and more.

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Conference Recordings
Day 1 Recording
Session Name, Speaker(s)
Time
0:00
27:55
1:43:46
3:45:50
4:11:11
5:07:30
6:31:03
NFL Alumni Association Research Initiative for Black Male Health
Mr. Josh Andrews, Dr. Robert Turner
Understanding the Health Disparities Research Framework and Implications for Cognitive Resilience
Dr. Carl Hill
Brain Health, AD/ADRDs & Health Disparities in Black Men
Dr. Roland Thorpe
NIA Priorities
Dr. Damali Martin
Panel: Health Disparities Research Framework, Sociocultural Context, & Understanding ADRD Health Disparities
Dr. Carl Hill, Dr. Monica Rivera-Mindt, Dr. April Thames, Dr. Roland Thorpe
Sports Spotlight Series Part I: "The Fifth Down: Athletes' Reflections on the Pain and Pleasure of Pro Football"
Bucky Brooks, Ken Harvey, Stafon Johnson, Guy Troupe
Sports Spotlight Series Part II: "Journey of Resilience: Real Talk with Women Champions"
Dr. Lauren Brown, Lauren Douglas, Jo Ann Pugh, Dr. Deborah Stroman
Day 2 Recording
Session Name, Speaker(s)
Time
0:00
23:05
50:34
1:42:45
2:34:53
4:42:15
5:36:00
7:11:33
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Carol Folt, Maria Aranda, Dr. Linda Burton
Local Perspectives on Black Male Brain Health From California
Ms. Tia Delaney, Ms. Edie Yau
Plenary Keynote Speaker: The Role of Social Factors in Brain Health
Dr. April Thames
Black Men's Registry
Dr. Deborah Stroman, Dr. Robert Turner
Community-Based Research Workshop: Recruitment, Retention & Ethical Issues in ADRD Research With Black Men
Dr. Monica Rivera-Mindt, Dr. Roland Thorpe, Rev. Dr. Kelvin Williams
Trauma, Brain Health & Building Social Capital
Dr. Linda Burton
Conducting Life Course Research
Dr. Toni Antonucci
Why your participation matters! The Benefits of Being Part of Research
Dr. Maria Aranda, Dr. Linda Burton, Dr. Robert Turner, Rev. Dr. Kelvin Williams

USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
U. Cal. Berkeley Social Welfare
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Center of Sport and Business Analytics
2022
Advisory
Board
UCLA Brain Research Institute
Ana Tomsic
Men's Health Network
Alzheimer's Association
Partners
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Alzheimer's AssociationPartner Statement: ​ The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to partner with the National Institute on Aging and the National Football League Alumni Association to convene the Super Bowl Brain Health Conference. This conference series will provide a forum to advance topics relating to Black men in aging research, including cognitive health, Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. We proudly support this dialogue, which will engage researchers and other interested stakeholders on this important topic. https://www.alz.org/
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National Institute on AgingPartner Statement: ​ The National Institute on Aging is committed to conducting research on health disparities in ADRD. Healthy brain aging is a growing public health concern. Black men, in particular, suffer high rates of biological, psychological, and sociocultural vulnerabilities that could uniquely and substantially increase their AD/ADRD risk. Black males are sorely underrepresented in brain aging research, with participation at only 20-25 % of that of Black females https://www.nia.nih.gov/
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NFL Alumni AssociationPartner Statement: ​ The mission of the NFLAA Mental Health & Wellness Initiative is to put mental health and wellness at the core of supporting former NFL Athletes and their families, by creating an integrated balance between their post-football identity, their community, their peers, and their spirituality. ​ Our goals are to: Optimize human potential Create opportunities for positive mental health Help players transition to life after the game Support former athletes, the communities they come from and the communities they live in Aggregate mental health & wellness information for alumni to access easily Build opportunities for NFLAA members to help others raise their mental health https://www.nflalumni.org/
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USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on AgingPartner Statement: The USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging builds upon the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s longstanding tradition of conducting socially relevant research, innovating educational practices, influencing policy making, fostering community-university partnerships and sharing best practices with direct service providers. The USC Roybal Institute maintains a strong interdisciplinary focus, with collaborations among faculty and professionals in such fields as social work, gerontology, psychology, preventive medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, oncology, American studies and ethnicity, and public policy. Its mission is to advance research whose goal is to enhance optimal aging for persons in minority and low-income communities. https://roybal.usc.edu/press/