Our Core Goals
The founders of Wisdom Watch have established three primary objectives as the alliance's initial focus:
To increase awareness of dementia in Richmond's Black community
To combat elder abuse in this community
To preserve and enhance quality of life for elders and caregivers impacted by dementia
Our Services
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
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Wisdom Watch is committed to raising awareness of dementia in Richmond’s Black community. Wisdom Watch also is committed to combating elder abuse in Richmond’s Black community.
COMMUNITY SCREENINGS
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Wisdom Watch provides screenings for dementia in nonmedical, community settings in an effort to help address health equity gaps impacting Richmond’s Black community.
The Co-Founders
Lisa Brownlee Johnson
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Wisdom Watch co-founder Lisa Brownlee Johnson, a three-time graduate of VCU, is a nurse practitioner and entrepreneur 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.​​​
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Regina Foster
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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.
Dr. Stephen B. Towns Sr.
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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.
Partner With Us
Wisdom Watch Alliance is committed to partnering with community organizations who share in a commitment to raising awareness of dementia and elder abuse in Richmond’s African American community.
The alliance also is committed to partnering with organizations who wish to provide opportunities for people in this community to receive private, high-quality cognitive screenings, by culturally informed clinicians.
Become a Member
Become a member of Wisdom Watch Alliance. Join now to secure your legacy as a charter member of this unique organization.
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
Benefits include making a difference by helping to address the disproportionate burden of dementia in Richmond’s African American community.
RECOGNITION FOR DOING GOOD
Charter members will receive recognition at all Wisdom Watch Alliance programs. Alliance members also will be part of a dynamic and supportive network of individuals who are committed to preservation of function, quality of life, and dignity of vulnerable elders.
Upcoming Events
Educational Forum
August 9, 2025
Educational forum and free, private cognitive screenings to be provided by Wisdom Watch Alliance at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.
First African Baptist Church Men’s Conference
August 16, 2025
Wisdom Watch Alliance will provide free, private cognitive screenings, and dementia awareness information in Richmond, Va.
Wisdom Watch Alliance presents: Embracing Dementia Awareness
October 18, 2025
A community event to raise awareness and provide a unique opportunity for individuals to receive free, private cognitive screenings. The event on Oct. 18, 2025, will feature award-winning documentary film “Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community.” The event will be hosted in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Richmond and Atlanta-based Expose Dementia. This event will include an expert panel discussion, including filmmaker, author and advocate C. Nathaniel “Chuck” Brown, founder of Expose Dementia.
Past Events
Wisdom Watch Alliance Milestones include our Inaugural Event
May 3, 2025
hosted at Real Life Ministries COGIC, where Wisdom Watch Alliance co-founder Dr. Stephen B. Towns Sr. is pastor. This event provided on-site cognitive screenings for a half dozen participants. The event also featured an array of expert presenters, including Regina Foster, a gerontologist and a Wisdom Watch Alliance co-founder; Lisa Brownlee Johnson NP, a certified dementia practitioner and a Wisdom Watch Alliance co-founder; Andrea Price of the ALTER Dementia program; and Veronica Rogers, a financial adviser and author of “Illuminate Your Legacy.”