The Chronicle News' Community Spotlight: Khari “Needlz” Cain – Crafting Sound, Creating Change

Courtesy Photo- Sitting where sound meets strategy — Khari Cain continues to shape the culture, one track (and one cause) at a time.

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Mr. Khari Cain — Also known by the name "Needlz" , is a Grammy Award-winning record producer who grew up on Lansing’s Northside and graduated from Lansing Sexton High School. He has created music for some of the hottest artists in the music industry, such as Bruno Mars, Drake, and Cardi B. Khari says he has always loved music, but his rise to stardom was not something he planned.

He originally enrolled in a five-year Business Program at Florida A&M University, where he started DJing at parties and local clubs. After realizing this path wasn’t for him, he transferred to Florida State University to complete his undergraduate degree in Marketing.

Khari was later accepted into NYU, where he majored in the Music Business Program. While attending NYU, he discovered that the most important thing he could do was network and build influential relationships to help him pursue his calling. During this time, Khari landed an internship with Sean “Puffy” Combs at Bad Boy Records, which inspired him to begin a career in music production.

Although music is one of Khari’s passions, he has embraced another endeavor that motivates and inspires him: the Makayla Moving Autism project.

The Makayla Moving Autism project is a mobile movement built to uplift communities of color impacted by Autism. Khari and his wife have gone out of their way to find specialized clinicians and educational resources that their daughter Makayla—and every child diagnosed with Autism—deserves.

#MakaylaMovingAutism is the beginning of a way forward in making a difference. Khari and his wife Manana plan to send a fully customized bus into Atlanta's communities of color, offering clinical workshops, therapeutic, and educational resources. They will also provide a virtual experience that allows communities the chance to understand the impacts. Together, Khari and his wife are raising funds to launch this initiative and raise autism awareness.

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 Exterior Rendering of the Mobile Clinic — Courtesy Photo Makayla Moving Autism bus, a mobile clinic designed to bring critical Autism support and resources directly into underserved communities.

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Clinical Offerings Include:

🩺 Screenings: Clinical screenings will be available to families affected by Autism, with the opportunity to schedule a more comprehensive evaluation if needed.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Education: Parents will engage with ASD professionals and be connected to both short- and long-term caregiver resources and support. Clinicians may also provide training for parents to implement at-home interventions.

🧩 Personalized Resources & Therapy: Clinicians can offer therapeutic activities that address the unique challenges associated with each child’s specific ASD diagnosis.

🕶️ Virtual Experience: By partnering with a private virtual experience vendor, the project will create an immersive, onboard representation of what Autism looks and feels like for those living with ASD.

If you would like to find out more about this project or contribute to its mission, please visit:🌐 https://makaylamovingautism.com

#MakaylaMovingAutism is just the beginning of a powerful new path forward. Khari and his wife, Manana, plan to send a fully customized bus into Atlanta communities of color, offering clinical workshops, therapeutic and educational resources, and a virtual experience that helps others better understand the journey of Autism.

Together, they are raising funds and awareness because every child deserves a future with support, visibility, and hope.