Meet Caleb Brookman

 

We were lucky to catch up with Caleb Brookman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caleb, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

When I recognized that… I’m in the room. The very fact that I’m there means I’m just as qualified as the next person. Beyond how you look, or where you come from, comes the actual skills necessary to be there in the first place. Moreover, it’s also remaining confident and trusting (while also improving) in the process that got you there. If you’re stressing the acceptance of others, you’ll more than likely be exiting the room sooner than you think.
I’m not here to compare myself to others, nor exert a false sense of superiority. I’m here to illustrate the uniqueness of my being through my passions and in that, I become successful. Success is the byproduct of authentic expression from the Soul, not the other way around.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m involved in a wide range of creative ventures, with drumming at the heart of it all. My journey as a drummer began in the latter part of my junior year in high school. Not long after, I dove into the world of music production. Back then, I was brimming with energy but lacked a meaningful way to express it, which sometimes landed me in trouble. Although I was passionate about sports, it never truly fulfilled me—something always felt off. Music became the outlet I desperately needed, turning my restless mind into something artistic. Along this path, “Cbro” was born, leading to the creation of “Cbrobeatz Production.”

From music production, many opportunities emerged.

My friend Jeremiah and I launched “Late Nights in Chicago,” the first talk show business in the city that features creatives who might not otherwise get interviewed. We created this show inspired by our college talk show, “Late Night Flame,” at UIC in 2020. I serve as CO-CEO and Musical Director for “Late Nights in Chicago.”

In March 2022, my friend Snowy Joey invited me to join a band now known as “Window Seat,” which also serves as the house band for “Late Nights in Chicago.”

In June 2023, another friend, Amin, asked me to join “Northern Lights,” a team that performed together for the first time at Durty Nellies in Palatine on September 1st.

This summer, from the new Jam Sessions at Soulfull Chicago organized by my friend Fred, the four of us—Fred, Nico, Joe, and I—naturally formed the band “Amari.” We had our debut performance on a rooftop on July 20th, which solidified our group.

Additionally, this summer saw the creation of “The Royal Takeover,” a collaboration between DJ/producer SirTrevorJames (Trevor Krahel) and myself. This venture blends DJing with drumming (via E-Kit), offering a unique entertainment experience. We’ve performed two shows at BlueDoor Studios.

I’ve also participated in modeling gigs for my friend Earica Parrish, a talented photographer and writer.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Spiritual Growth, Mental Resilience, and the Desire to Convey My Story Through Music

For aspiring creatives, my best advice is to start by exploring your inner self. Identify the calling that resonates uniquely with you, independent of external opinions about who you should be. This self-discovery will help you uncover your individuality and begin to shape “reality” through your lens. Fear is a constant variable in this journey; it never completely goes away. Instead, use the fear driven by your ego to build the confidence of your spirit. Trust your creative instincts—what others may call “failure” is merely a lesson for those who persist.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The book titled “The Kemetic Tree of Life: Ancient Egyptian Metaphysics and Cosmology for Higher Consciousness” by Muata Ashby offers profound insights into the three aspects of our being—physical, mental, and spiritual. The wisdom it imparts has been transformative for me, altering my entire perspective on life after applying its teachings.

Quotes such as “Emotions are good servants but poor masters” and “If there aren’t any struggles for the human being to overcome, what would actually be accomplished?” have deeply impacted my journey. They have helped me unlearn many dogmas I had accumulated over the years. I highly recommend reading this book for those who have deep, spiritual questions that can’t be answered by the modern society we live in today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Earica Parrish
Edward
Kolbe
Eriq Adams

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