Danielle Brooks reflects on empowering career, uplifts aspiring artists
In collaboration with University Union and The Office of Belonging and Student Success, actress Danielle Brooks made her way to Goldstein Auditorium to provide exclusive advice on Hollywood. Brooks shared that it was important for Black actresses to be their authentic selves, something she had learned from her fellow actresses. Zoe Xixis | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University graduate student Nya Santeliz said she was inspired to stay true to her authentic self, as she watched Danielle Brooks’ give students advice on entering the acting industry.
Later in the night, once the show was over, Santeliz realized Brooks was standing behind her, she gasped and ran over to her as Brooks thanked the crowd and took photos with a few attendees.
“This felt like it was meant to be, me being in this room, needing to hear everything that she said about being true to yourself,” Santeliz said.
University Union and The Office of Belonging and Student Success hosted “A Conversation with Danielle Brooks” in the Goldstein Auditorium on Sunday night. As part of the Black History Month Closing Celebration, the two organizations brought in the Oscar-nominated actress to discuss being a Black woman in the theater industry and how to feel empowered.
The event opened with a performance by One World Dance Team, SU’s first and only African dance team. The performance featured a series of dances to various songs to hype the audience up for Brooks.
After the performance, sophomore Laone Molele, the event’s moderator, was introduced. Brooks came out and instantly engaged the audience, giving shout-outs to her Sorors in Delta Sigma Theta. In July 2025, Brooks was inducted as an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta.
Brooks told the audience that her role in “Orange Is the New Black” made her career what it is today. After graduating from Juilliard in 2011, Brooks struggled to find a job. But after Brooks was asked to be interviewed for a two-episode web series on Netflix, the project turned into the seven-season, Emmy-winning show, forever changing the trajectory of her career.
“Orange Is the New Black” is unlike other shows, Brooks said; the actors didn’t wear large amounts of makeup or have their hair done.
“We could be ourselves, and people fell in love with the beauty (within),” Brooks said. “It was the best gift the show gave me.”
Molele then asked Brooks what drew her to portraying Sofia in the 2015 Broadway musical of “The Color Purple.” Brooks said she had been auditioning for many shows and believed she was told by the universe that this was her first Broadway show.
Her role in “The Color Purple” has been her most meaningful role so far, Brooks told the audience. Playing Sofia has been a voice of power for Brooks, she said.
Brooks said she enjoys being an artist because she can do the work, and it is up to the audience to decide on the interpretation and what it means. She said she hopes her performances spark conversations of change in the industry. Brooks told the audience that she appreciated “Orange Is the New Black” for featuring multiple fully fleshed-out actors of color in an industry where Black women are often not well represented.
In 2020, Brooks co-founded Black Women on Broadway, which aims to empower Black women in theater. Brooks said there are over 500 Black women on Broadway and backstage and audiences often don’t understand their impact. So, Brooks created a space for them to thrive through various mentorship programs and events.
UU’s Co-Performing Arts Director Michela Wallach said she is a huge theatre person and a big fan of “Orange Is the New Black,” where Brooks played the humorous character “Taystee.” Wallach said that Brooks’s ability to connect with the audience and the really insightful responses she gave stood out to her about the show.
“Having her here has just been so surreal because she’s just been an inspiration to me,” Wallach said.
For senior and Delta Sigma Theta member Kennedee Robinson, it was exciting to have a connection with Brooks, given that they were in the same sorority.
Brooks said when she was attending Juilliard, her family struggled to find the funds to send her there. When her godmother died, she left $20,000 in her name for Brooks to continue to attend college. Her godmother was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, which Brooks said was a powerful moment and something that has impacted her life.
“We had to come not just to show support but also to hear her story,” Robinson said.
Brooks hopes future generations will “keep adding building blocks,” as this life and career should be about service, giving back and how to keep going.
For aspiring Black actresses, Brooks said it is important to be one’s true self rather than putting on a face, which she learned from other Black female performers. Brooks shared a simple piece of advice for aspiring actors in the audience:
“Do it. Go for it. Fly!” Brooks said.
