Pamela R. Bowren has been the epitome of selflessness and devotion, dedicating her life to caring for those around her. A double cancer survivor, my granny has faced countless challenges, yet her resilience and love have never faltered. For more than a decade, she cared for both her mother and granddaughter with unwavering commitment. What’s truly remarkable is that even at the young age of 35, when I was born, my granny fully embraced the role of a traditional grandmother. Though she was young, she embodied all the warmth, care, and nurturing you’d expect from a seasoned matriarch—weekends filled with Happy Meals at McDonald’s, baking cookies, and creating lifelong memories.
Her caregiving journey began long before, as a child, when she took on the responsibility of helping care for her grandparents. This early experience shaped her into the selfless caregiver she would become, devoting decades to her family. She is my absolute favorite person and the kindest soul I know.
Despite her endless devotion to others, my granny has always put herself last. She never buys herself anything new and has rarely taken time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. For decades, she’s raised her children, helped raise her granddaughter, and cared for her aging mother—all without ever taking a vacation or flying on a plane.
In the final stages of my great-grandmother’s life, who passed away at the age of 95 in 2022, my granny began showing signs of dementia herself. Even as her memory weakened, her strength and love never wavered while she cared for her mother.
Today, my granny’s health is slowly declining, and her quality of life is diminishing daily. Thankfully, my grandfather remains by her side, offering his love and support. After a lifetime of caregiving, however, she has rarely done something solely for herself.
That is why I founded the Pamela R. Bowren Foundation—to honor the incredible life and legacy of my granny and to ensure that others like her, particularly African Americans living with memory loss, have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to not only survive but thrive. Our foundation is dedicated to providing enriching activities for both individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. Whether it’s a visit to the botanical gardens, an evening at the theater, or a relaxing retreat, we believe that both caregivers and their loved ones deserve to live fully.
This foundation is more than just a tribute to my granny; it’s a mission to change the narrative for those living with dementia and those who care for them. Too often, life becomes solely about survival for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. Fun, adventure, and personal fulfillment fade into the background. Through our foundation, we aim to change that. We want to give families the chance to enjoy life together, despite the challenges of memory loss.
The Pamela R. Bowren Foundation also provides access to essential resources, emotional support, and expert guidance for caregivers, many of whom, like my granny, devote years of their lives to caring for loved ones without ever truly caring for themselves. Our long-term vision is to establish the Pamela R. Bowren Village, a safe, independent living compound where those with dementia can live freely—able to roam without fear of becoming lost, access healthcare, shop, go to the movies, and enjoy their lives with dignity.
My granny’s life has been one of endless giving. Through this foundation, I want to ensure that her legacy lives on by helping others who are walking the same path she has walked—offering them joy, support, and, most importantly, the ability to live fully, even in the face of memory loss.