DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA (January 28, 2025) – For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Robert W. Turner II (Duke Aging Center) is leading a dynamic sports and wellness alliance, uniting over 30 organizations to promote brain health, wellness, and community engagement. Dr. Turner, a former professional football player, sociologist, and brain health researcher, has recently joined the leadership team at the Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and continues to lead national efforts to raise awareness about brain health, especially among athletes and Black men.

The Black Men’s Brain Health Conference (BMBHC)–scheduled to take place from Monday, February 3 through Thursday, February 6 at Xavier University of Louisiana–focuses on the sociocultural impacts of cognitive aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and the importance of wellness within the Black community. BMBHC 2025 will bring together athletes, students, clinical experts, New Orleans residents, and a virtual community to discuss innovative solutions to these pressing health issues.

“I’m overjoyed that brilliant minds like Dr. Maria Carrillo (Alzheimer’s Association), Dr. Brian Turner (Xavier University), Dr. Monica Rivera-Mindt (Fordham University), Dr. Ryan Bailey (National Medical Association), Dr. Deborah Stroman (University of North Carolina), and Dr. Eric Griggs (Access Health Louisiana) have joined forces to move the needle on brain health,” says Dr. Robert Turner.

Program highlights of our four-day alliance include the Emerging Scholars Program on Monday, February 3; Sports Spotlight Speaker Series on Tuesday and Wednesday February 4-5; and the 25th Annual Player Networking Event (PNE) on February 6.

Key partners and sponsors for this year’s conference include the NFL Alumni Association (NFLA), Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA), NFLA Neuro Health and Performance, Alzheimer’s Association, Boston University’s CTE Center, National Institute on Aging, Harmony Biosciences, Athlife, Center for Sport and Social Justice,  Empyrean PR, RADical Health, 100 Black Men of America, and Toyota, among others.

The closing event for the collaboration is PNE 2025, a networking trade show with interactive activations that cater to high school, college, professional, and retired athletes. Highlights include a leadership symposium for 200 local high school football players; content creation opportunities in a podcast setting; a diversity, equity, and inclusion breakout session; and a psycho-social wellness workshop and activation with the Xavier University Cheer Squad.

Current NFL players Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers) and Grant Delpit (Cleveland Browns) are scheduled to attend along with a number of former NFL players including Pro Football Hall of Famer Will Shields (Kansas City Chiefs), Super Bowl Champions Jim Jeffcoat (Dallas Cowboys) and Mike McKenzie (New Orleans Saints), CBS Sports analysts Aaron Taylor (Green Bay Packers) and Brian Jones (New Orleans Saints), Reggie Brooks (Washington Commanders) and many more.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease through innovative research, education, and patient support. Based in Eastern North Carolina, ADRC operates across six core areas to improve both research outcomes and the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s.

NFL Alumni Association was founded in 1967 and is one of the oldest and most respected organizations of retired professional athletes. NFLA’s mission is to provide support for retired players and their families through various services, including medical, business, and legal assistance. The organization also focuses on community initiatives such as “Caring for Kids.”

Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA) was founded in 2016 to support retired NFL players, advocating for their health, welfare, and education. Through its 501(c)(3) foundation, the Greater Good Fund, PFRPA develops programs that address the challenges faced by retired athletes, including health-related issues and financial literacy.

Xavier University of Louisiana is the nation’s only historically Black Catholic university and a leader in STEM and health sciences education. It ranks as a top producer of African American medical and pharmacy school graduates and continues to expand its educational offerings in robotics, bioinformatics, and engineering.