Last month, CreativeMornings Chicago hosted their April event under the organization’s global theme of #Movement on Friday, April 28. To highlight that theme, the featured guests included music artists Jillian X and My Guy Wayne, who formed Stylin’ Out Network in 2018.

Held at Healthy Hood Chicago — and catered by Big Shoulders Coffee and Do-Rite Donuts — the presentation drew dozens from the community to hear these local creatives share their journey of finding themselves and making a positive impact through dance and music. 

Read on for more information on this month's #Acceptance event, which will be held on Friday, May 19 at The Metropolitan in Willis Tower.

Meet the Founders of Stylin’ Out

Originally from New Jersey, Jillian X made Chicago her true home over the years as a house DJ who has performed at several establishments — including Le Nocturne, Celeste, Emporium, Cerise Rooftop, Arbella, and Upstairs at Virgin Hotels. Breakdancer My Guy Wayne leads the Stylin’ Out Breakin’ Crew, founded in 2009 before reuniting as a competitive dance group in 2018. In their typical energetic fashion, the CreativeMornings Chicago event began with the high energy and movement of watching three of Stylin’ Out’s crew members break dance on stage.

Movement for a Bigger Purpose

Growing up in Chicago, My Guy Wayne saw break dancing as an escape from his upbringing, but early on, as he fell in love with the art of dance and started to gain clout, he quickly found himself moving further away from who he was. To better find his purpose, he took to solitude and reflection, learning to sit back and enjoy music and dance for himself. During this period and at one of his outings to a house music nightclub Double Door, he met DJ Jillian X — both of them at a place where they were leaving their old selves behind.

“For me being a DJ, it’s all about the energy,” Jillian X commented. “What moves me is seeing joy and seeing people experience that on the dancefloor. Just getting to feel that exchange of energy between myself as the DJ and the audience is everything.”  

My Guy Wayne went on to explain that it wasn’t until he mentally matured that he started to attract the right people who not only wanted the best for themselves but for him also. Learning from those positive relationships allowed their group Stylin’ Out to create a healthy and uplifting environment where the members could feed off that reciprocal energy. Together, they keep each other accountable to their purpose rather than slip into more shallow traps of society, like gaining fame and attention.

“It’s all about reflecting the person you want to be inside,” My Guy Wayne adds. “It’s about doing something bigger than yourself. Rather than always being so driven to just make it at any cost, focus more on reaching and impacting the right people.”

The Importance of Uplifting Chicago Artists

Decades from now, My Guy Wayne hopes to foster a legacy in Stylin’ Out Network that inspires people to cultivate their talents long after he’s gone. Both he and Jillian X drove home the point to support friends and children who dream of or are actively pursuing a career in dance or music. 

“This field is just as professional as any other career and doesn’t have to stop at being a hobby. It deserves respect,” My Guy Wayne ended, referring to how break dancing will now be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Jillian X added her experiences from childhood, “I’ve always moved at my own pace. I would spend hours in my room as a kid dancing and listening to music.”

Within a city like Chicago, where some of the most talented creatives are born or find their purpose, supporting the arts has never been more crucial. And particularly in today’s climate where the city has seen an increase in criminal activity from teenagers, encouraging them towards a healthy outlet like dance and music can be deemed crucial for preventing young people from going down the wrong path. 

Follow Stylin’ Out Network on their Instagram to stay connected with their mission and keep up with their upcoming performances.

Register for CreativeMornings’ May Event

As part of the theme #Acceptance, this month’s highly anticipated presentation will highlight HXLT — a renowned Chicago rapper, musician, designer, director, fighter, and entertainer. See the details below:

• Price: Free with registration

• Date: Friday, May 19 

• Time: 8:30 a.m - 10 a.m.

• Location: The Metropolitan in Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr.

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