India.Arie, Audra McDonald, Billy Porter and more to perform at ‘Broadway for Black Lives Matter’

Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

Some of Broadway’s biggest stars are coming together for one night of performances on August 1st at New York City’s Columbia University. “Broadway for Black Lives Matter ” is a concert and conversation that will include appearances by Tony winning-actress Audra McDonald, Grammy winning singer India.Arie, “Color Purple” star Danielle Brooks and Tony winning-actor Billy Porter.

The evening was inspired by a Facebook post that “Shuffle Along” actress Amber Iman wrote on July 7 after the fatal police shootings of two African-American men—Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile.

“There’s Broadway for Thanksgiving, Broadway for Shark Week, Broadway for Trader Joe’s, Broadway for Ben & Jerry’s, Broadway for this Mosquito bump on my arm…….Broadway for Black Lives,” said Iman. “Who’s ready? How long will it take to organize? Cuz clearly there’s NO REASON this can’t happen….. ‪#‎LetsGo‬”

Since that post, Iman and six other Broadway actors—Aisha Jackson, Mykal Kilgore, Britton Smith, Douglas Lyons, Andrew Shade, Jacquelyn Bell—formed The Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective. According to Playbill, the group is presenting the free event in collaboration with the Columbia Law School, The Oneness Project and Broadway Black, a digital platform that recognizes the achievements of Black theater stars. It also plans to stream the concert that day.

“ARE YOU READY?!?! My heart is FULL,” said Iman Friday night on her Facebook page. “From a simple Facebook post, the outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who is working around the clock to birth this movement. ITS TIME!!!!!! POST, REPOST, SHARE, BRING A FRIEND. It’s time for ALL of us to come together as one, to have a conversation, to ask questions, and BE the CHANGE!!!!!! ‪#‎BWAY4BLM‬”

CONGRATS!!

Photo Credits: Facebook/Amber Iman