25-year-old Dementia activist Rianna Patterson will pursue a master’s degree in Dementia: Causes, Treatments, and Research at University College London (UCL) this September in London, England

Dementia activist Rianna Patterson, 25, will pursue a master’s degree in Dementia: Causes, Treatments, and Research at University College London (UCL) this September in London, England. Ms. Patterson founded the Dominica Dementia Foundation at the age of 18 in memory of her grandfather, who passed away when she was 16 years old. Rianna completed an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in psychology. Ms. Patterson was also the recipient of the Queen’s Young Leader Award. Rianna launched a crowdfunding campaign (#SendRiri2UCL) on March 3, 2023, on GoFundMe.
 
She submitted and contacted a number of potential donors directly, as well as launched several initiatives to raise the funding necessary to pursue her course, including public speaking engagements and client work, including filmmaking and editorial services. Rianna also attained multiple scholarships towards her degree from funding bodies and from the psychiatry department at UCL. Rianna successfully raised £20,677 through crowdfunding.
 
Ms. Patterson hopes that this master’s degree will provide a solid foundation to continue the work of the Dominica Dementia Foundation and secure a position as a senior researcher in dementia. Rianna expressed her deep gratitude to God for guiding her through a challenging season that strengthened her faith in ways she could not fully express. She felt overwhelmed with emotion as she reflected on her journey, which presented many obstacles. However, by relying on God’s grace, Rianna succeeded in securing bookings to deliver keynote speeches, selling her film for £25, and promoting her crowdfunding campaign using a robust marketing strategy. She acknowledged that God’s wisdom and provisions played a critical role in her success.
Rianna also expressed her appreciation for her mentors and all those who contributed to and shared her campaign, praying that God would remember them. "I want to address those who are striving to make their dreams a reality. It’s important to keep God at the center of your pursuits and trust that He will take care of the rest. I hope that my story will inspire our generation to seek God’s guidance and never lose hope, stated Ms. Patterson.