The fifth annual Black Girls Rock! honored female trailblazers in film, music, television, education, philanthropy but also spent some of the telecast acknowledging current events. In light of recent acts of police brutality, like the deaths of Mike Brown and Eric Garner, a moving set performed by Fantasia, Lalah Hathaway and Faith Evans brought the conversation forward.

Faith took the stage and performed a beautiful rendition of J. Cole’s “Be Free” with images flashing on the screen as her only company. Cole tweeted the songstress after her performance.

Watch the emotional performance above.