[Kevin] Previously, on "The Chi"...
Now you know if you gonna run for office,
[chuckles] you might wanna consider a name change.
Victor.
That's my real name.
If you wanna be on the campaign trail,
you're gonna have to have the right woman on your arm.
This is Tierra. She's my play niece.
I think Suede is going to propose.
Are you still thinking about Darnell?
Yeah.
Merry Christmas, Jada.
- Ooh! - Whatchu looking at?
- Are you in love with her? - Yeah.
I been in love with her ever since I laid eyes on her
sophomore year in high school.
I got Victor to find your brother.
Sorry, Lynae.
Jamal's locked up... awaiting a murder trial.
[person] Hey, Victor.
Ma?
[mother] I'm clean.
You said that before.
And I mean it this time.
Look, we finally gettin' our life together.
Don't mess that up.
[Tiff] That's what all that good, hot,
and nasty unprotected sex gets you...
Three beautiful glorious blessings.
I might go celibate.
Please. You couldn't be celibate if you try.
Join me in my 40-day celibacy challenge.
If you wanna soar, you gotta stop bein' a whore.
If you wanna sing,
you gotta put your dick away, King, mm-hmm.
Your dick deserves better.
My dick deserves better!
I figured you could use some help.
I got 'em distracted so we can get cracking on gifts.
You a blessing. You know that?
Toni Jones' "Take Up Space Sis" plays...
♪ I hype me up, I gas me up ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ Got more room with this ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ I got more room with this ♪
♪ I'ma trip for this ♪
♪ They cannot resist ♪
♪ This space is on abyss ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ I hype me up, I gas me up ♪
I am powerful.
I am unbreakable.
I'ma trip for this...
I am my own source of happiness.
♪ Push through, sis ♪
♪ It's a ghetto ♪ ♪ not designed for my being. ♪
♪ I know when to chill. ♪
♪ I'm humble... yeah, I don't ♪ ♪ shy away from compliments. ♪
♪ I receive. ♪ ♪ I'm worth the fuss. ♪
♪ I know this inner work ♪ ♪ will take me from petty ♪
♪ to queen to goddess ♪ ♪ to priestess. ♪
♪ Competing and comparison ♪ ♪ is enough for me, dog. ♪
♪ My growth is not duplicatable ♪ ♪ or copy-friendly. ♪
♪ I am powerful beyond measure. ♪
♪ The version of me ♪ ♪ others created in their mind ♪
♪ is not my responsibility. ♪
♪ I normalize saying no when ♪ ♪ others want too much from me. ♪
♪ I uproot any soul ties ♪ ♪ of attachment ♪
♪ that has held me hostage ♪ ♪ to lower paradigms of thought, ♪
♪ feeling, expressing, ♪
- ♪ And womaning ♪ - [pounding on door]
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ Got more room with this ♪
- [pounding continues] - ♪ I'm a fool for this ♪
♪ Rest is a revolution ♪ ♪ and a luxury. ♪
♪ I'm learning to step ♪ ♪ out of survival mode. ♪
♪ I wake up to my own BS ♪ ♪ awareness put me on. ♪
♪ There ain't nobody ♪ ♪ to put me on. ♪
♪ I am the blueprint. ♪
♪ I allow others ♪ ♪ to tell on themselves. ♪
♪ Their true nature ♪ ♪ will be revealed. ♪
♪ That's what I gotta know. ♪
♪ I love myself and others ♪ ♪ out loud. ♪
♪ I am proud of what ♪ ♪ and who I love. ♪
♪ I do the most for mine. ♪ ♪ I use my voice, ♪
♪ my heart, my thoughts, ♪ ♪ my truth ♪
♪ to speak up about ♪ ♪ what I want. ♪
♪ I don't use coded language. ♪
♪ I am enough. I am worthy. ♪
Greatness is not the goal.
Being whole is.
♪ My love language are explored ♪ ♪ by genuine connections. ♪
♪ I'm worthy ♪ ♪ even when I'm bored, ♪
♪ even when I rest, ♪ ♪ even when I am confused. ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ I got more room with this ♪
♪ In the work, ♪ ♪ in the bedroom ♪
♪ In the Zoom, on the IG ♪
♪ In my truth, ♪ ♪ on the beach, I'm a reach ♪
♪ I hype me up, ♪ ♪ I gas me up ♪
♪ I hype me up, I gas me up ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
♪ Got more room with this ♪
♪ I'm a trip for this ♪
♪ They cannot resist ♪
♪ Spaces on abyss ♪
♪ I'ma trip for this ♪
♪ They cannot resist ♪
♪ Take up space, sis ♪
dramatic hip-hop music
Why have I even been paying for all these prep classes
if you just gonna be late on the big day?
Dad, SATs aren't even that important anymore.
Well, they were in my day.
[Jemma] Well...
it's not your day anymore.
Just trying to make sure you get into our dream school.
It's your dream school. Not mine.
We've been working towards this since you were five.
Can we just go, please?
I'm not your Uber driver.
And if you gonna smoke reefer, go outside.
It's freezing.
Tough!
Mellow instrumental
How about we get dressed and go get some brunch?
Hmm. How about I make you a bacon, egg,
and cheese sandwich and, you know,
just sit in bed all day watching murder mysteries.
[TV soft in background]
[Jada sighs] You know what?
I think we should chill on having sex
until you take me on a real date.
Oh, we-we too old to be going on dates.
Who you calling old?
Like, you know, b-both of us.
[huffs] Look, I am not playing, Darnell.
I am not too old to be treated like the queen that I am.
Oh, woman, you been readin' too many of those memes
of those social media therapists.
They got you talkin' crazy.
Look, I chose you.
Damn right.
But that don't mean you could just coast.
Why not?
'Cause I got higher standards.
[sighs]
I am not that same little insecure girl
you met in high school.
[groans] Ugghh!
If you wanna keep me, you better step up.
It's starting to feel like a full-time job.
And if you ain't careful, you gonna get fired.
[laughs]
You about to have me put in my two weeks' notice.
Oh, please, you ain't never
gave a job two weeks' notice.
[Darnell laughs]
She's more than a body
It was a woman who brought you in this world
Mm
And girl and it's never over
On the internet tryin' to hustle
Even if she was, who are you to judge?
Don't even know a struggle
So watch what you say
So that you go, might come back
Come back your way
'Cause the world ain't a thing
Without a woman without a woman
Woman like me
- [milk splashes] - Fuck!
[baby cries]
Like me
Li-ike me
Hi.
You sure you ready for this?
Yeah.
It's time.
[Tracy] It's a big step, I know.
But we're all here to support you.
ROCK can help with job placement,
free clothes, recovery meetings.
You have my number if you need anything, okay?
Hey, don't worry.
It's hard not to.
Look, I know my word don't mean shit
after all the promises I broke.
But I want things to be different this time.
Me too.
Quiet, moody music
Energetic music
[Tracy] We read poetry and stuff here... this is nice.
I mean, it's more than just a place
for women to come and stay
while they're trying to get on their feet.
This is a safe haven, and we provide free healthcare
and the space that they can call their own.
- It's amazing. - Some people can't be saved.
Oh, well, now you sound like me.
[Victor] Oh, shit.
People can be saved with the right support.
Roselyn said I should stop by
and see what you guys were working on.
This place is great for the campaign.
Why isn't anyone talking about it?
[Tracy] Well, you know negative stories
tend to get more traction.
Would you mind taking a picture of Victor and I
outside in front of the house?
Actually, we try not to post about what we do here.
Yeah. This-this ain't about show.
[Tierra] Oh, of course not.
I just think that if more people knew about it,
they might want to help
or reach out for the support that they need.
- [Victor sighs] - [Tracy] Yeah. You're right.
Trinity House doesn't get as much attention as ROCK does.
[Victor] That's 'cause it ain't about attention.
It's about doing the work.
Well, you know what,
if y'all taking a picture in front of the house
is gonna help us get the word out,
then y'all should do it.
Sometimes you gotta do shit you don't wanna do
to get to where you going.
I know that's right.
What are you doing here?
I wanted to bring you lunch.
That's sweet. Thank you.
Mm-hmm.
Just do one picture.
[Tierra] It'll be painless. I swear.
Make him look presidential.
- [Tierra] I'll try. - [Tracy giggles]
- What's up, Kei? - Hey.
- Hey! - Thank you so much
for watching him. I just need like a few hours.
Yeah. I got you.
- Hey, EJ. - What's up, Ronnie?
- What's up, man? - [EJ] Baby Ronnie's back!
Come on. Have fun with this baby, son.
'Cause Daddy ain't having no more, okay?
[Kiesha] Yeah, you say that now.
Come on. Come on.
- Yeah, you want the toys? - Hmm-mm.
Mm-hmm. Oh, my bad, lemme get...
all this stuff out your way.
Cheerios.
- [continues murmuring] - Hey!
- How you doing? - Good.
You sure you got him.
Yeah. I got him, girl. Get to writing.
I got this.
- Come on. Come on. - [EJ babbling]
[Emmett] Come on. Come on.
[murmuring] Yeah.
Wanna play with some toys? Wanna play with some toys?
Come on. Let's take off your coat.
Let's take off the coat.
[indistinct chatter]
[Emmett] All right. All right.
[indistinct chatter]
[Emmett laughs]
What's going on?
What do you mean?
I'm not dumb.
Have a seat.
I saw Roselyn yesterday.
So that's why you brought me a picnic?
She wants to help.
- [Tracy] We don't need it. - I think we do.
The last thing we need is another cook in the kitchen.
Roselyn's expertise is in nonprofit organizations.
She's also good with fund raising
and public relations, and she likes you.
No. She knows that you like me, Otis,
and that's why she tried to play me
so fucking close all the time. You for real?
What Roselyn wants is to be the new co-director of ROCK.
Ah!
A partnership.
I think it's a good idea.
[Tracy] ROCK is mine.
I created it as a legacy for my son.
Listen, this could be a win for everybody.
Yeah, we can let Roselyn handle the bureaucracy
while you focus on the people.
How does this help Victor's campaign?
Well, she can recruit a board,
give Community Protection
the stability that it needs to thrive.
And when we're ready to announce Victor's candidacy,
ROCK can be a platform that we run on.
Come on.
[softly] Damn it.
I've been under Q's thumb for fucking far too long.
And if we let her do this,
she can raise money that doesn't have blood on it.
What if I say no?
Then you get fired.
Heavy music
- How are you gonna fire me? - I won't have a choice.
You asked me to help you get Victor's record cleared.
And Roselyn was one of the people
I had to call to do that.
And she don't do shit for free.
You finished the test?
Nah, I didn't.
Why not?
I don't know if I wanna go the college route anymore.
So watchu gonna do?
[Jemma] I don't know.
Some privileged-ass shit.
If I didn't finish my test,
my mom would've whooped my entire ass.
- Really? - Yes.
I need to get an education
and get the fuck up out her house.
She got enough mouths to feed.
Do you really think a degree
will make that huge of a difference in your life?
Probably not, but I'm sure it would mean a lot to my mother.
She gave me life.
The least I could do is make her proud.
Besides that, what do you want to do?
I don't wanna be tired all the time.
I don't wanna work a job I hate.
If you could do whatever you wanted,
what would it be?
I would rap.
[Jemma] Oh, yeah.
I heard your song on Papa's Pulpit.
That shit was good.
Yeah. Whatever.
[Jemma] I'm serious!
You should start doing more freestyles on your page.
You know niggas talk too much shit
on the comments for that.
They'll talk shit now
and be asking for a selfie later.
All right. Maybe I'll do one this week.
Hey, don't say maybe.
Okay, fine. I'll do one this Friday.
Okay. I'ma look out for it.
- It'll be there. - [both laughing]
You want to get something to eat?
Sure.
[mellow R&B playing]
Uh...
No, you. You can go.
Hey, I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
You know I didn't mean for you to get hurt, right?
I know.
When my sister got taken,
I didn't think I was gonna see her again.
Heavy music
Fucked me up bad. So I know how you feel.
But you got your sister back.
My brother about to go away for life.
Hey, Lynae. Can you come down here real quick?
There's somebody here to see you.
Uneasy music
Who are you?
I'm from the Department of Children
and Family Services.
We've just been informed that your brother,
your legal guardian, can no longer look after you.
How you doing? I'm Victor Taylor.
I'm running for city council.
How you doing? I'm Victor Taylor.
I'm running...
Listen, what...
How you doing? I'm Victor Taylor.
I'm running for city council.
What do you need to feel good where you live?
What I need?
We need more art and murals and shit.
More bike lanes.
Fix these motherfucking potholes.
Well, y'all did the damn thing,
getting them bitch ass cops out the hood,
but what you gonna do 'bout these parking enforcers?
[speaking Spanish]
I need that punk-ass university of Chicago professor
stop parking in my spot.
Hi, I'm Victor Taylor. I'm running for city council.
[doors slamming]
Don't these niggas know that when they see
a live chest sitting there, that means the spot is taken?
I went to the DMV to renew my plates
and they talking about, oh, you need an emissions test.
But all the emissions places are closed in the city.
So now you gotta drive all the way out to the 'burbs
just to get it done.
- Ah! - See?
- Yeah. - You should come to Ward Night.
Uh... I got kids.
[Victor] We have free child care.
Y'all gonna have food?
Smokey's is catering. [chuckles]
Well, I love Smokey's.
Gracias.
- Ha hey, gracias. - Gracias?
Adios.
Jazzy instrumental
Her brother was making progress
before this whole incident happened.
Yeah.
This was supposed to be temporary.
Why can't she just stay with us?
Kevin, this doesn't concern you.
Yes, it does, Ma!
I-I know both your biological parents
are deceased.
Do you have any other relatives in the area
that could take you in?
Look, with all due respect,
we treat Lynae like she's one of our own children.
She has her own bedroom here and everything.
She's safe here.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
I ain't goin' back to no group home.
[agent] If you don't have a legal guardian,
the court will petition to make you a ward of the state.
So what if we became Lynae's new legal guardians?
Yeah.
[agent] That's a long process,
but you could petition
to become Lynae's temporary foster family.
Okay.
How much time do we have to discuss this?
[agent] Things are moving fast.
So I suggest you talk quickly.
Moody music
Ma.
Upbeat hip-hop
Yeah, lemme see if you can make it go boom
Lemme see if you can make it go mmm
Lemme see if you can shake up the room
Lemme see if you can make it go mmm...
I'm off dairy. Do y'all have a vegan mac and cheese?
Ha. Nah.
Girl, move. Um, let me get the...
Three-piece combo, dark, drenched in mild.
You remember.
Of course.
Can I get my hot sauce on the side?
Why would you want it on the side?
Can I just order how I want to order?
I'm all about a woman's right to choose.
- Whatever, Papa. - Thank you, Papa.
Why would you need it on the side?
Thank you.
The side?
[Papa laughs]
Mm-hmm
Mm-hmm...
- [Victor] Yeah. - Ooh.
I know this part is hard, bro. Ha ha.
But you know what?
I finally feel like I found something I'm good at.
Like, I found my purpose and shit.
Man, let's hit this next block.
Nah, nigga, I ain't getting out this car
until I could start feeling my feet again. You feel me?
Now turn that fucking heat on, man, so I could roll up.
Hold on, bro. We can't roll up to people's houses
smelling like weed and shit, bro.
That is not what my campaign need.
So I'm cold. I can't smoke.
And your goofy ass ain't paying me nothing?
The fuck am I doing here then?
Man, what else would you be doing?
Man, I be at the crib with my fine-ass woman.
Man, she got a job.
Yeah, she do got a cool little gig, though.
You know she a art curator and shit?
Man, I never thought I'd see the day...
Hey, man, a good woman turn your life around
- if you let her. - I know nigga. Shit...
Look. Here we go.
Mm-hmm. What you see?
Damn, nigga!
Your followers high as well.
Yeah, it's wild, right?
Black women been following me like crazy.
Leaving emojis in the comments and shit.
They like me and Tierra together.
Man, they eating that shit up too, ain't they?
- Mm-hmm. - Man, that's a trip, man.
You sure you don't wanna take her on no real date?
Man, bro, she is not my style.
Tch! You tripping. She er'rybody style.
If people thinkin' we together gets me into office,
I will take it.
There's a lotta people countin' on me, bro.
I can't let 'em down.
- I can feel that. - Mm-hmm.
But you need to stop looking at Tierra
and start focusing on Deja.
You lucky she fuck with your dusty ass.
Dusty ass, huh?
I said dusty.
Well, I ain't so dusty no more, nigga.
Ha ha. Yeah, you look like a new man
ever since you got you a woman.
- Yeah. - Mm-hmm.
She help making me a better man.
You know, teach me some new things.
[Victor] Mmm.
Don't fuck that up, now.
[small laugh] I try not to.
Funky electronic music
Feelin' it now
Feel
Feelin' it all over
Lovin' how, how
It's bringin' us closer
[exhales] I finally finished.
- You finished it? - Yes.
- Hey. You did it. - [light laugh]
There no typos in there, is there?
No. I triple-checked.
[Emmett] Kay.
Good.
You know, you can lean on me anytime.
I appreciate that.
I'm proud of you, girl.
I'm proud of me too.
[both chuckle]
Mellow jazz music
Look, Lynae's gonna be 18 in a couple of years.
So will Kevin.
All we gotta do is get 'em across the finish line.
[Nina sighs]
Mellow jazz continues
If it's too much on y'all, I could figure something out.
How?
I can find a place to stay.
You don't sound too confident.
Taking on a foster child is a huge commitment.
Babe, I'm committed to building this family.
And I'm not?
Kiesha and the baby are outta the house.
And Kevin has matured a lot in the past year.
Whatchu so afraid of?
I don't wanna make a promise to be there for her
when we might not even...
We might not even what?
I just always thought
my brother would come back for me.
Sometimes... things don't go the way we planned.
So what you wanna do, send her to a group home?
Do you know the kind of abuse that goes on in those places?
I didn't say that.
Okay. Well, regardless of our issues,
we don't know what's gonna happen to her
if she becomes a ward of the state.
Now, if she stays here, then she can have a future.
You wanna get outta here?
Where we gonna go?
ROCK's hosting an event, and Papa does need some help.
I'm not in the mood to be passing out food.
Aw, come on. Just grab a plate.
A'ight.
[Dre and Nina continue arguing]
[Dre] You know the kind of abuse
that goes on in those places?
[argument continues]
We don't even know what she wants to do.
- Then let's go talk to her. - [sighs]
- Come on! - Fine.
Lynae.
[sighs] Damn.
Well, it looks like they went out without permission.
Yeah. I don't blame 'em.
Now I'm gonna be up all night worryin'.
Hey. It's gonna be okay.
They're gonna be fine.
That's what we said about Kiesha.
Jazzy music continues
[phone vibrates]
[background chatter]
Good evening. Could we get started, please?
Okay!
Well, tonight I have the distinct honor of introducing
one of the co-founders of Community Protection
and this beautiful space that we're in, Trinity House.
Victor Taylor has been a pillar of his community,
and he's someone you can trust.
So please join me in giving a very warm welcome
to the love of my life
and your future city councilman, Victor Taylor.
- Whoo! - Yeah.
All right!
What up?
What up, y'all?
Thank you so much for coming out tonight.
First, I wanna send a shout out to ROCK
and my lovely lady, Tierra,
for putting this together for us.
For those of you who don't know,
Ward Night is usually an opportunity
for elected officials to hear from the people.
Well, I'm not an elected official.
Not yet.
- [laughter] - That's my mama.
Last year, my baby brother was one of the many Chicagoans
that were brutalized by the CPD.
And though he's not perfect,
former Mayor Perry did take a brave step
in standing up for the community
and defunding the police.
I've been one of the folks on the ground
with our homegrown alternative
we like to call Community Protection.
And tonight I just wanna open up the floor
to hear from you.
What's working?
What's something we could be doing better?
What's something you think I should know?
I'm here to serve y'all, so... don't be shy.
Mellow R&B...
♪ Yeah, whoo ♪
♪ Ha, you know when ♪ ♪ they doubt you ♪
♪ That should give you fuel ♪
♪ I think these rappers ♪ ♪ runnin' that tool ♪
♪ You can just tell ♪ ♪ when they pen game weak ♪
♪ In come the knee, ♪ ♪ I'm too elite ♪
♪ I'm 16, ♪ ♪ I'm stacking it neat ♪
♪ Ain't on my body, ♪ ♪ that would be no good ♪
♪ If y'all wanna talk about ♪ ♪ stackin' the things ♪
♪ That I need as a shorty, ♪ ♪ you better make sure ♪
♪ You let her know ♪ ♪ I be head of the class ♪
♪ I'm in designer ♪ ♪ from hip to the ass ♪
♪ I'm from the rack, ♪ ♪ if you play with the sack ♪
♪ You know that the hood ♪ ♪ ain't gone give you a pass ♪
♪ How many bars I got, ♪ ♪ a lot? ♪
♪ Four and... ♪ ♪ run at it a lot ♪
♪ I left my granny to see ♪ ♪ I been offered a match ♪
♪ If you ask me, ♪ ♪ I been through a lot ♪
♪ But uncle play ah, ♪ ♪ they say that I'm older ♪
♪ They say that she wild, ♪ ♪ so I don't know who wrote it ♪
♪ My big flows, ♪ ♪ ain't no foldin' ♪
♪ They know me, ♪ ♪ and I ain't Mcboldin' ♪
♪ How many flows you got? ♪ ♪ A lot ♪
♪ How many goes to that? ♪ ♪ A lot ♪
♪ These hos been hatin' ♪ ♪ they been tryin' to knock me ♪
♪ But don't no guy ♪ ♪ secure my spot ♪
[cheers and applause]
[DJ] Alright, y'all, we got something special
for you tonight.
So I'm gonna need y'all to keep that energy going
and give it up for Ma is ha!
[cheers and applause]
I ain't try in to rap in nobody's charity event.
Okay. Where else you getting booked to rap at?
Look, just tune 'em out and think of this as practice.
- Okay. - Okay? Just go. Go!
Okay, y'all must a forgot who I was
When I'm talkin', this big body bends in the womb
I deserve your round of applause
Yeah, pressure
You cannot out-finesse a finesser
Elite on any one of your spectrums
Brilliant as she built like a blessin'
Princess of my city, I stand on it
Pen pal, you heard my hands on it
I been to up up up
My downfall cost put bands on it
Ma is ha the GOAT, my bad, you already knew that
No, I ain't need me a church boy
- Whatever platform... - Whoo hoo hoo!
Now, mama got all them kids
And I got all the sieves
'Cause I told her that I needed them soldiers
She kept me gangster, baby, go go
So part of my hug and mission is simple
Usin' my gift-givin' body created
To build a foundation to make that bitch fold
I'll make a hit off a beat box
I used to run outta Reeboks
Dedicate this to my granddad
He up there braggin' on me now
A friend of my royalty, under construction
I'm more than me, childhood tryin' to take hold a me
Tradition beggin' for older me
I just wanna be a code-a me
But damn, that's a lot
[cheers and applause]
All right, Ma is ha!
Happy?
Yes, that was good.
But you could work on your stage presence
- and your diction. - My what?
Sometimes you mumble your words.
And what you're saying is great.
So I just want to hear it.
Okay. Ha. I'll work on that.
[both laugh]
[Emmett] You gettin' big and strong.
[EJ making engine sounds]
Daddy, I'm bored.
You bored? Well, go outside.
- It's too cold outside. - What?
That's what my mom used to tell me when I was bored.
No. This is a new generation.
Can I watch TV?
Nah, you done had enough screen time for today.
How about... we build a fort?
- Yeah, Daddy! - Let's build a fort!
- [EJ] Yeah! - Come on.
I could be the one to out-praise ya
Show you about all these different flavors
Baby, we could do it big like the majors
Let me put you out on all the front pages
I could be the one to out-praise you
Lemme show you about all these different flavors
Baby, we could do it big like the majors
Let me put you out on all the front pages
[cloth snaps]
Hip-hop song begins...
♪ Black lights, black toilet paper ♪
♪ Sittin' on the frigerator ♪
♪ I'm bad and I know it ♪
♪ Big wheels are rolling ♪
♪ Got that Nina on my hip and they never... ♪
You think your mom's gonna let me stay with y'all?
I hope so.
♪ Nigga, dope-a-da ♪
♪ Money in the ear ♪ ♪ no time to fuss ♪
♪ Livin' in the brush ♪ ♪ when I bust a nut ♪
♪ See a girl in a party ♪ ♪ just actin' up ♪
♪ And these niggas ♪ ♪ be lettin' 'em ♪
♪ I'm drowin' out ♪ ♪ to this roast ♪
[music continues, muffled]
...wet bottles, throttle
Sippin', sippin' on them wet bottles
Throttle
Leave it with a bare model model
Who shakin' up that black bottle, bottle?
This is the volunteer schedule.
We only accept free store donations
Monday through Wednesday,
and somebody needs to be here every day by 6:00 a.m.
to unlock the kitchen for books and breakfast.
This could be a good thing if you let it.
Listen, if you do anything to damage
what I've built, I promise I'll kill you myself.
My goal is to make sure
that ROCK is the type of organization
that famous people want to donate to.
[Tracy] I don't care about famous people.
I started ROCK to honor my son.
You started ROCK because you feel guilty.
I know that you sent Ronnie
to kill the kid that killed your son.
Problem is, he killed the wrong kid,
which in turn got him shot.
Sounds like I'm not the one
who's causing all the damage around here.
[Victor] Yes.
Aren't you taking credit for the labor of a trans woman
by claiming you founded Trinity House?
Well, like my lady said, I helped co-found it,
which I did.
But now I'm doing everything I can to keep these doors open.
Look, I've never shied away from the fact
that this community has been built
on the backs of Black women working hard to keep us safe.
And Trinity House was founded
by a Black trans woman named Imani.
She had the courage to speak up when no one else would.
She transformed this place into a safe space for women.
And she helped make me the man I am today.
Now I've taken on more of a leadership role
since she's moved back home,
but I will always, always give her her flowers.
Thank you. Any more questions?
Gotta keep it one hundo
rapping continues
[Jemma] I know your heart is set on the college thing,
but if you wanna lean more into music,
maybe I can help you.
How?
Maybe I can manage you.
What you trying to do, be the Earn to my Paper Boi?
[laughs] Something like that. Yeah.
I don't know.
What's that smell?
Um... Smokey's.
Does it smell weird to you?
No.
All I got left is beef ribs and gizzards.
[Ma is ha] Oh shit.
True, stay true
True, I need you to keep it real with me
I, uh, I really appreciate that question.
No, you didn't.
But you handled it well, I guess.
I was sweating.
Ha, yeah, I was about to get you a paper towel.
- [both laugh] - It's nice to meet you.
Fatima.
It's a beautiful name.
Thank you. I gave it to myself.
Oh really?
I'm the one that wrote the article
about who the folks wanted to see run.
Oh. I didn't get that many votes.
No. But, you know,
enough folks talked to me about you
to get that honorable mention.
That's why I'm working on getting my name out there.
Well, I see, uh, Tierra is helping with that.
[Victor] She's amazing.
She's everything voters could want.
When did you and Imani break up?
Are you interviewing me?
- Is this... Is that what this is? - Off the record.
I don't want to focus on the past.
Tonight is about the city's future.
And what do you have planned?
Whatever they need. I care about these people.
It's not just a career move for me.
I believe you.
I ain't got nothing to lie about.
Victor, I have been looking all over for you.
There are some voters here that need to speak to you.
Okay. I'll be right there.
It was nice to talk to you.
I hope we can keep the conversation going.
I'd like that.
- Shall we? - [Tierra] We shall.
We're not done yet.
We have a few more people that need...
[knock on door]
Oh.
What is all this?
Well, don't take a whole day
to recognize sunshine.
Aww. Darnell.
All right. All right, woman.
- Come on, take this. - Okay, okay, okay.
Go back there. Get dressed.
- I like the new Darnell. - We got reservations.
- [Jada] Oh! - [laughs]
Mellow instrumental
This can't be happening.
Don't stress out yet.
We got like... a few more minutes.
Stop staring at it!
I'm just making sure you did it right.
I can't be pregnant.
Well, there's a 50% chance you could be.
This isn't funny.
You just mad 'cause you pregnant.
Oh my God. Is that what it says?
No results yet.
Stop scaring me.
What would you do if you are?
I don't even want to think about...
- Who would you tell first? - Ma is ha. Stop.
Okay. Okay. I said sorry.
[beeping]
It's time.
You, uh, want to hold my hand?
[Jemma sighs]
Fuck!
Excuse me, y'all. Can I borrow him
for a second, please? Let me holla at you real quick.
[mellow music in background]
- What's up? - Nigga.
Is you stupid? How are you going to push up
on another woman in front of all these people?
Man, I ain't push up on nobody. We was just talking.
Nigga, please.
I ain't never seen you look at Tierra like that.
Yeah. That's because we are just bidness.
Look, man, I ain't even gonna hold you, okay?
But judging from what I saw earlier this evening, man,
you could go all the way with this thing, man.
Many of these people'll vote for you
no matter who you fucking.
Man, this just one town hall, all right?
I need these people to believe in me,
and Tierra is helping with that.
Want to win that bad, huh?
I want to help people, man.
See, that's what I'm saying.
Man, they got gay mayors. They got trans senators.
All types of shit out here, man.
You ain't gotta lie to win.
Man, my followers is going up.
We got new folks visiting ROCK every day, every day.
I mean, that's true.
I just don't want to rock the boat now.
- A'ight. - A'ight?
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
Don't call on him now.
[Jemma] What should I do?
[Ma is ha] You need to tell Jake ass.
[sighs] What do you think he'll say?
[Ma is ha] He'll probably be cool about it.
Really?
Yeah. He the type
to take care of his responsibilities.
Have you ever been in this situation?
Ha. Hell no. I know how not to get pregnant.
Um, how are we supposed to keep the conversation going
when, uh, I don't even have your number?
I know how to find you.
All right.
You know what? I know what you're doing.
What's that?
You're making folks feel comfortable.
Hmm. I know where you're getting at.
Oh, do you?
Yes. And love it if we could go somewhere
and talk... maybe off the record.
I want to show you the real me.
Okay.
Soft jazz
[phone keys clicking]
I'll leave my... pen and pad at home.
I'll take a glass of your best red.
Y'all ain't got no Crown Royal?
[server] I doubt it.
Just bring me whatever brown liquor y'all got
and bring the lovely lady a whole bottle
of the most expensive real wine y'all got back there.
- Look at you. - Yeah.
Don't you even think about ordering no dessert either.
Wow. See, there goes the old Darnell.
What I mean, woman, is
you the only dessert I want to have tonight.
- Hmm? - Mmm.
What if I want a real dessert?
Oh, shit. When we get home,
then I'll make you a Darnell Sundae.
[both laughing]
Look here, I am not lickin' no whip cream.
[mutters, laughs]
Like I used to in high school.
Why not?
- Ooh! - Ha ha ha ha ha!
You drunk?
No, but, uh...
in all seriousness, you were right.
I can't just demand your love. I gotta earn it.
Pshh. I done lost too much time with you.
Now, I'm gonna make sure I do everything it takes
to make sure I don't lose you again.
Aw, Darnell.
- [giggling] - I love you.
Me too.
Jazzy dinner music continues
[phone buzzing]
[ahem] Hey.
- What you doing? - Uh, I-I was asleep.
You fell asleep on the couch again?
What you want?
[Tiff] Don't get disrespectful, nigga.
- [Emmett] I'm not. - [Tiff] Where's EJ at?
[Emmett] He asleep.
[Tiff] Okay. I just wanted to tell him good morning
before he went to daycare.
A'ight, I'll Face Time you when I get in the car.
A'ight. You good?
Yeah.
You sure? You seem a little short.
I just woke up, Tiff.
A'ight. Just call me with my baby
before you drop him off.
All right. Bye.
You good?
Yeah.
Why you ain't tell her I was here?
I didn't feel like I had to.
- Why not? - I don't know.
You feel guilty?
I just didn't think it was necessary, that's all.
Okay.
[phone buzzing]
[click]
Soft music...
♪ When it seems impossible ♪
♪ Like against the wall at the end of the road ♪
♪ We need to talk. ♪
♪ Hope helps me to know that ♪
♪ Within me there's a purpose ♪
♪ I'ma take all the good, to hell with the bad ♪
♪ Livin' in the present, forget 'bout the past ♪
♪ Not goin' back, my mind's made up ♪
♪ I decided I'm enough ♪
♪ Been through the ring ♪
♪ In a fire ♪
♪ Yet the sun always shine brighter ♪
♪ And so I know anything could be done ♪
♪ Well ♪
♪ Nothin's impossible ♪
♪ Days get rough and you can search them ♪
♪ Lookin' for the answer ♪
♪ Don't you get discouraged ♪
♪ Please know that ♪
♪ Nothin's impossible ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Nothin's impossible ♪