The Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective presented a night of unity and solidarity through artistic expression and conversation on Monday. The free event for the culture and the community took place at Columbia University’s Lerner Hall Roone Arledge Auditorium.

Waking up exhausted but ready because of the magic that was #BWAY4BLM "Black Lives Matter is a 1) human rights, 2) intersectional, 3) abolitionist, and 4) artistic movement." -Professor Frank Roberts "Artists don't just sing and dance, they change lives." -Richard Gray

A photo posted by Cristina Angeles (@cangeles16) on Aug 2, 2016 at 4:43am PDT

Guest appearances included six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, four-time Grammy Award winner India Arie, Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Shuffle Along, Kinky Boots), Joshua Henry (Shuffle Along), Camille A. Brown (A Streetcar Named Desire), Professor Frank Roberts (NYU), Daniel J. Watts (Hamilton), The Broadway Inspirational Voices, and New York City Center’s cast of THE RUNAWAYS.

According to the Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective, “An overwhelming number of friends and colleagues in the Broadway community have expressed a deep desire to participate in an open dialogue about the social and racial justice issues that are troubling our nation.” The event brought Broadway performers together with “policy reformers, educators, clergymen, public officials, and community leaders to discuss a plan of action” and “sparked conversation and encourage people to discover their roles as active participants in a movement towards positive change.”

Over 40 artists, educators, law students, future policy makers, BLM leaders, Tony winners and losers (me), and police and correction officers discussing, listening, and strategizing to bring "Unity" back into our Communities. @the #BWAY4BLM Luncheon yesterday. ✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿✊🏽 The concert is tonight! Join us via live stream!! ✌🏾and ❤️🌎 broadwayblack.com/bway4blm

A photo posted by Adrienne Warren (@adriennelwarren) on Aug 1, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

The actors and artists on Broadway let everyone know what #BWAY4BLM is really about.

"Black Lives Matter Movement is an INTERSECTIONAL MOVEMENT… includes women, queer, trangender lives." #BWAY4BLM

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) August 2, 2016

And the crowd came out in droves.

The line is wrapped around the building for #BWay4BLM. Approximately 1,000 people registered. What brings them out? pic.twitter.com/TsA2wEpRjr

— NBC BLK (@NBCBLK) August 2, 2016

Danielle Brooks couldn’t be there in person, but stood in solidarity for the cause.

I'm sad to say I won't be able to make #BWAY4BLM tonight. I'm still filming but I am there in spirit. 💜🍊✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/5QrdNVokHS

— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) August 1, 2016

Many celebrities and artists showed their excitement on social media.

There's a lot in this picture!!!! @indiaarie @CynthiaEriVo and lil ole me.😘❤️ Photo @rontyoungphoto ️ #BWAY4BLM pic.twitter.com/doiYs2Tv8C

— ledisi (@ledisi) August 2, 2016

We are gentle angry people and we are singing for our lives.
We are justice seeking people, and we are singing for our lives #BWAY4BLM

— Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaEriVo) August 2, 2016

Give yourself permission to have tough conversations, give yourself permission use your emotions as inspiration to find your voice, and give others permission to help you. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED OR TUNED IN TO OUR LIVE STREAM FOR #BWAY4BLM LAST NIGHT! We may not all agree but we are stronger when we are together! Build bridges not walls. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿 #justthebeginning

A photo posted by Adrienne Warren (@adriennelwarren) on Aug 2, 2016 at 6:37am PDT

@amberskyez congrats on a successful night! Thank you and @theebillyporter for making me sing. I am so tired but it was worth it. A standing ovation 😳 wow !Broadway legends, artists, musicians, poets and activist standing for a cause. It was wonderful! We matter!!! #BWAY4BLM

A photo posted by ledisi (@ledisi) on Aug 1, 2016 at 9:02pm PDT

Professor Frank Roberts give a word on understanding Black Lives Matter. “If all lives matter, then it shouldn’t be any controversy focusing on Black Lives Matter.”

Of course they took everyone to church..

When the choir sang #TotalPraise at #Bway4BLM! 😩🙆🏾🙋🏾😭👏🏾! #veryeverything #veryblack

A video posted by @theveryblackproject on Aug 1, 2016 at 10:32pm PDT

…And left us all blessed.

It's so easy to walk around with a heavy heart trying to carry the weight that comes with being black but #BWAY4BLM changed all of that

— JacQuan (@iTweet_uListen) August 2, 2016

Headed into work still on those #BWAY4BLM vibes like https://t.co/roVfWQdbYm

— Felicia Fitzpatrick (@felicianicole86) August 2, 2016

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