Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks offered inspiring guidance to aspiring actors during an event held Sunday night at Syracuse University’s Goldstein Auditorium. The gathering, part of the Black History Month Closing Celebration, featured Brooks sharing her experience as a Black woman in theater and emphasized staying authentic in the challenging entertainment industry. This event highlighted Danielle Brooks empowering acting advice for students aiming to build meaningful careers in acting.
Event Highlights and Opening Performances
The evening began with a dynamic performance by Syracuse University’s One World Dance Team, the campus’s only African dance troupe, which energized the audience with a series of vibrant dances. Following this, Laone Molele, a sophomore and the event’s moderator, welcomed the crowd before Brooks took the stage. Brooks immediately connected with attendees, giving recognition to her sorority sisters in Delta Sigma Theta, where she was inducted as an honorary member in July 2025.
Brooks Reflects on Career Beginnings and Breakthrough Roles
Danielle Brooks recounted her early career struggles after graduating from Juilliard in 2011. Despite initial challenges securing acting work, a brief Netflix web series interview transformed into a pivotal role on the seven-season Emmy-winning series Orange Is the New Black, which launched her into the spotlight. Brooks described the uniqueness of the show, which portrayed characters without heavy makeup or elaborate hairstyling, allowing actors to showcase their true selves.
We could be ourselves, and people fell in love with the beauty (within),
Brooks said.
It was the best gift the show gave me.
The Meaning Behind Playing Sofia in The Color Purple
Molele inquired about Brooks’s decision to portray Sofia in the 2015 Broadway production of The Color Purple. Brooks shared that she felt the role was destined for her after a series of auditions. For Brooks, Sofia stands out as her most impactful role, symbolizing a powerful voice and presence that she embraces fully as an artist. Her performances aim to stimulate conversations and demand change within the theater community.
Commitment to Empowering Black Women in Theater
Brooks co-founded Black Women on Broadway in 2020, a platform designed to elevate Black women both onstage and behind the scenes. The organization supports over 500 Black women working in various Broadway capacities, striving to increase visibility and influence through mentorship and community-building events. Brooks’s dedication to providing this space underscores her commitment to representation in an industry that often overlooks the contributions of Black women.
Personal Connections and Impact on the Audience
UU’s Co-Performing Arts Director Michela Wallach expressed admiration for Brooks, highlighting her ability to engage the audience and share thoughtful insights based on her role as Taystee in Orange Is the New Black. Wallach called Brooks’s presence “surreal” and inspiration-giving. Senior Delta Sigma Theta member Kennedee Robinson also appreciated the shared sorority link, valuing the opportunity to hear Brooks’s story firsthand.
Having her here has just been so surreal because she’s just been an inspiration to me,
Wallach said.
We had to come not just to show support but also to hear her story,
Robinson said.
Brooks’s Personal Journey and Legacy
During the conversation, Brooks revealed the personal challenges she faced funding her education at Juilliard, noting the critical support of her godmother, also a Delta Sigma Theta member, who left a $20,000 gift enabling her to continue college after her passing. This pivotal moment remains deeply influential in Brooks’s life.
She encouraged students to view their careers as ongoing journeys focused on service, support, and persistence.
For aspiring Black actresses, Brooks offered candid advice emphasizing self-authenticity instead of presenting a false front—a lesson learned from other Black female performers in the industry.
Do it. Go for it. Fly!
Brooks said.
Significance of Brooks’s Message for Future Artists
Danielle Brooks’s appearance at Syracuse University highlighted the importance of staying true to oneself amid the pressures of the acting world, reinforcing the power of representation and mentorship. Her work empowering Black women in theater not only opens doors but also encourages new generations to build upon a foundation of honesty, resilience, and communal uplift. As aspiring actors absorb her advice, the industry may witness more authentic voices shaping its future.
