Rianna Patterson to be given citizenship award by African Caribbean organization in England this Saturday

Rianna Patterson is the film director of an upcoming documentary called Dementia: The Island Journey and founder of the Dominica Dementia Foundation. She established the foundation at 18 years old, in memory of her late grandfather who had resided in Dominica and had Dementia.

According to a press release, winners are chosen due to their significant contributions to diversity, or simply working hard to improve their local communities.

Patterson is set to be awarded under the category of Citizenship, by Medway African Caribbean Association at the Sankofa Young Black Achievers Awards/Young People United Awards, Diversity Awards, and Windrush Awards 2022 on November 12, at The University of Kent.

The Dementia Foundation is a youth-led Dementia charity that supports families and care homes affected by Dementia, and facilitates research on Dementia.

Rianna previously received the Queen’s Young Leader award from her Majesty the Queen in June 2017, for her commitment to Dementia advocacy.

Building consensus and convening decision-makers on a regional and international level on public health and Dementia promotion, to key stakeholders, has been Rianna’s approach to making Dementia a health priority in Dominica.

She is a founding member of the youth arm of the National Council on Ageing in Dominica and provided key recommendations to the National Policy on Ageing to the Government of Dominica.

She has also published two academic publications on Dementia in Dominica, as well as Dementia Gardens in the UK.

The Medway African Caribbean Association exists to promote an awareness of African and Caribbean Culture, through arts, educational and social programmes, primarily for the benefit of its members but also accessible by the wider community. It also acts as a means of support to members on issues dealing with racial harassment, undertaking prison visits, as well as many other functions.