“Beats, Brains and Balance: The Science and Soul of Sound” is a free, one-day public symposium at the DuSable Museum designed to explore the intersection of neuroscience, music, and mental health.
Schedule
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel One – “Sound Medicine: Music Therapy Across the Lifespan”
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch, Documentary Screening, & Networking
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Panel Two – “Voices of the Streets: Hip-Hop, Drill, and Mental Health”
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Neuroscience Mini-Lecture – “This Is Your Brain on Music”
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Closing & Community Reflections
Panel Biographies
Wildstyle got started in music at an early age, playing drums and dancing in talent shows. He learned to Dee Jay before the age of 11 which led to him getting paid to do house parties. By working the turntables all through the rough streets of the Westside of Chicago, Wildstyle made a name for himself as an entertainer.
Shortly after that, Wildstyle had an interest in rocking the mic and making beats. Influenced by the growing popularity of hip-hop he started taking his talent more seriously and pursued his career in music after hooking up with fellow group member Kilo and they formed the group Crucial Conflict.
They soon started a recording company called Raw Dope Records with neighborhood friend Shorty Capone. Wildstyle went in the studio and single handedly produced the group’s first album, The Final Tic which helped land them a major record deal with Pallas / Universal Records.
Their single and LP sold millions of copies topping the Billboard charts worldwide, with a follow up album Good Side Bad Side, produced by Wildstyle, which sold over 500,0000 copies, Crucial Conflict became legends in Chicago hip hop.
Wildstyle has also produced tracks for artists such as Busta Rhymes and Twista which had multi-platinum success and has worked with many other major artists including R. Kelly, Do or Die, Warren G, DJ Quik, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Bushwick Bill, George Clinton, Da Brat, Lupe Fiasco, GLC and Danny Boy. Wildstyle’s has also performed and produced on many soundtracks, such as Rhyme & Reason, Belly, Players Club, Thicker Than Water, Bullworth and How To Be A Player.
Wildstyle pioneered a new sound that had the planet bouncing, setting a trend for today’s style of music and now Wildstyle has released his first solo album on his independent label Buckwild Records entitled, That Was Then This Is Now. This new album is sure to please all listeners and grab new fans globally. This album displays the growth of Wildstyle as an artist and producer with a variety of soulful energetic beats, lightning fast rhymes with a superb delivery, passion, substance and lyrical content that takes hip-hop to another level.
Dr. Jennifer Krizman is a neuroscientist at Northwestern University, where she studies how the brain processes sound, including speech and music. Her research focuses on how auditory experience shapes brain function and supports learning and cognitive health across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in translating auditory neuroscience into practical insights for education, wellness, and community engagement.
Co-Owner & Music Manager, Wond3r Studios | Brand Strategist | Creative Executive
Kendel Reese is an accomplished music executive and brand strategist with nearly a decade of experience at the helm of Wond3r Studios — a multi-platinum production and publishing powerhouse known for crafting chart-topping hits for hip-hop heavyweights like Lil Durk, Roddy Ricch, and more. As Co-Owner and Music Manager, Kendel plays a pivotal role in talent development, creative direction, and deal negotiation, helping shape the careers of artists and producers under the Wond3r brand, including the studio’s marquee talent, Kid Wond3r Beatz.
Before entering the music industry, Kendel built a diverse portfolio in marketing, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership. As Marketing Director at Rich Girl Candy, he successfully scaled brand visibility to over 2 million social media followers, executing viral campaigns and strategic influencer partnerships. He also co-founded and led M Works Property Preservation, managing real estate services across the Greater Chicago area.
A graduate of Morehouse College with a BBA in Marketing, Kendel combines business acumen with creative instinct. His early leadership in programs like Chicago State University’s Talented Tenth Leadership Program demonstrates his long-standing commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Today, Kendel Reese continues to break ground at the intersection of music, culture, and enterprise, driving Wond3r Studios as a force in modern music production and publishing.
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional | Author | National Speaker
Enoch Muhammad is the co-founder of Hip-Hop DetoxX, a national public health movement that has empowered over 400,000 youth and families through trauma-informed education, hip-hop culture, and social-emotional learning. As a certified Clinical Trauma Professional, dynamic
speaker, and author of *Poison: A Hip-Hop Journey*, Enoch uses the philosophy of “Truth Without Boundaries” to transform lives, shift mindsets, and address the root causes of violence, disconnection, and unwellness. His groundbreaking work has been featured on CNN, ABC, FOX, and national platforms including Steve Harvey’s Mentoring Camp. Enoch continues to inspire and equip individuals and communities to detoxify from destructive influences and live with purpose, power, and healing
Darthula Young, a distinguished leader and visionary, is the driving force behind Rooted in Dignity. Holding a BA from Northeastern Illinois University and an MBA from Dominican University, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Her history includes a robust background in the private sector. Ms. Young once served as a Regional Vice President at Lockheed Martin IMS and as Vice President at Maximus Inc. Her strategic acumen and leadership skills left an indelible mark on the organizations she was once a part of.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Darthula is a certified End-of-Life Coach and Doula. In this role, she guides clients and their families through the challenging journey of impending death, offering unwavering emotional and spiritual support. Her commitment is to enable individuals to embrace their final moments with dignity and tranquility.
Now, as the founder of Rooted in Dignity, Darthula is dedicated to further extending her compassionate approach to end-of-life care through impactful initiatives and services offered by the organization.
Dr. Cartman is a father, son, brother, uncle, thinker, writer, therapist, photographer, drummer, and grassroots mental health advocate. He is a Chicago native, where his cultural and educational foundations were cultivated by several African-centered institutions. He received his undergraduate degree from Hampton University and a Ph.D in clinical & community psychology from Georgia State University. His recent work includes being a trauma focused clinician, restorative justice coach and program evaluator with H.E.LP., LLC (Healing Empowering and Learning Professions). Dr. Cartman has served as a professor of psychology at Georgia State University and the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern University. Dr. Cartman recently created a male rites of passage curriculum called MANifest that is being implemented in juvenile detention centers, schools and in private community settings. Dr. Cartman is the former program director for Real Men Charities, Inc. where for 3 years he facilitated weekly men’s wellness and African drumming circles and was the associate editor of the South Side Drive magazine. Dr. Cartman is the current President of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists and curator of a directory of Black mental health providers. As a consultant Dr. Cartman facilitates trainings for adults and workshops with youth about maintaining good mental health, critical analysis of hip-hop and media, racial and cultural identity, developing authentic manhood, and healthy relationships.
Tiffany Denise Mitchenor is a joy activist who spends her days facilitating a variety of wellness programs to older adult communities. She has an MFA in theatre arts, is a certified trauma informed yoga instructor, sound healer, and nature enthusiast.
Chantay Williams is a Community Liaison at Riveredge Hospital, where she serves as a trusted bridge between the hospital and the community. Since joining in 2008, she has held multiple roles that deepened her passion for outreach, wellness, and breaking the stigma around mental health. Known for her warmth, creativity, and people-first approach, Chantay leads with compassion-whether coordinating events, building relationships or showing up where help is needed. She credits her growth to the empowering leadership at Riveredge and is proud to represent a hospital deeply committed to whole- person healing and community care.
