Original subtitles

You know,

I want to switch focus a little bit.

Founders Week is coming up. Please talk to us how we're feeling about that.

Yeah, so Founders Week is all about celebrating and honoring the day that

Josiah Hillman...

founded Hillman in 1881. And we've got a ton of events coming up, including

brunch with the Congresswoman and the big one, the Light the Night Gala.

You know what I mean?

Hey.

Everything all right? You know, Xavier should ask Candace if it's tradition for

artists to sleep with their residents' boyfriends.

I've been on this for weeks now.

You might as well go ahead and confront Candace, Shaquille, Ellington. I mean,

whoever else you have beef with.

Because as much as I love being your ride or die, what is you gonna ride?

I am so over it, okay? I have bigger things to focus my energy on than guys.

And Candace is diabolical. Okay, this is the same girl that was smashing my man

while advising me to let go of my past and move on with Ellington.

So the wording has got to be T.

Start brainstorming.

Take, take, take and damn, take.

What's next, my kidney?

Uh-uh, what now?

They cutting our health insurance, me and the line cooks.

What? With all the reduced hours and shifts, they saying we don't qualify as

full-time.

Uh-uh, is there anything we can do?

You can talk to your penny-pinching president father.

Now, I shouldn't be talking about your daddy like that, and I'm sorry, but you

better believe I mean it.

Thank you.

I hate what's happening to Nellie. It's not just Nellie. It's everyone.

We have the food workers, maintenance, groundskeepers.

Everyone's suffering.

No, there's got to be something we can do.

I'll ask my dad.

Like Nelly said, he's got to be able to adjust the budgets or something. I don't

know. I mean, I can ask Professor Brooks.

You know, she's so freaking brilliant.

How much turquoise jewelry she wears. Girl.

So, I've been thinking, and we both said some things that we regret.

You fired me.

I did do that.

And to be honest with you, Pops, I've been crashing out ever since.

I can concede. I said some things about Deebo I shouldn't have. But the truth

is, being your manager got in the way of me being your dad.

And that's the only job that matters to me.

That's funny timing, because I was just about to ask to rehire you as my

manager. Well, I don't know.

Okay,

I'll do it.

How do we got that out of the way?

What's this you're talking about crashing out?

Kind of made a mistake with another girl.

Me and Deborah got into a fight.

And I'm just thinking about coming clean to her.

Oh, whoa, whoa now, slow down. Many years ago when I was in college, A long,

long time ago, I may have been a little too honest with your mother about having

three different Valentine's Day schedules.

I'm not proud.

But your mother made me wait another three years before she'd go out with me

again.

So you gotta proceed with caution.

I don't know what to do. Well, that's okay, too, because relationship chaos,

that's my specialty.

That's your specialty? Yes.

All right.

It's a different world than where you come from

It's a different world than where you come

from It's a different world than where

you come from District

and region 7th Congressional District of Maryland.

And how did she take her tea?

Whitley, let up on the girl.

Hazel didn't become Miss Gilbert Hall by a landslide by people letting up on her.

And it is imperative that our esteemed guests and alumni has a seamless

Founders Week.

This brunch is going to show him in its best light to a real VIP who can

actually help. Hazel, go ahead and exhale.

Congresswoman is good people.

Trust me. You would say that. She worshipped the ground you walked on, so

uncouth. It was a miracle she even made it through Hellman, let alone the United

States Congress.

Well, she's a very powerful woman, Whitley.

That's why I called for help.

Oh, thank God.

Things are getting tense in here. Welcome to my life. Dad, I need to talk

to you. Well, get in line, missy. Some of us have to wait weeks to get a return

phone call when all we wanted to know was which tuxedo our husband was going

to wear to the light of the night gala.

We could clash.

Right. Deebo, could you please tell your mother that I am tired of pretending?

Mom, he's tired of pretending.

That's what you call it?

Pretending? Well, you don't do a very good job. I'm glad you're not an ax. Put

a lid on it.

It is such a pleasure to meet you, Congresswoman.

Shut up, Wayne. She's here.

Well, well.

Congresswoman James.

President Provost, but will always be Professor Wayne to me.

Too many P's. Welcome home to Hillman, Lena.

Oh, Whitley, it's so good to see you. I see you're all still all about pomp and

circumstance. I wasn't expecting the marching band to greet the motorcade.

Only the best for our congresswoman. I was just telling Duane how I've always

believed in you.

Oh, and this is Hazel Henry, your freshman ambassador for Founders Week,

and not to mention our newly crowned Miss Gilbert Hall.

Well, congratulations.

So nice to meet you, and I see a lot more crowns in your future.

The honor is all mine, Congresswoman. I've been following your career ever

since you passed the legislation on domestic violence. Truly inspiring.

And you remember our daughter, Deborah?

She's a distinguished arts major.

Our own little Basquiatta. Good to see you again, Ms. James.

It's so good to see you. You've always been so talented. I'm so glad to see you

doing what you love. Thank you. And I can't wait to host the brunch and see

what Hillman's new generation has to offer. Well, we are very appreciative.

of your time and so glad you came down here to see us. But I have to say, I've

been looking around and it seems as though you are sparing no expense when

it comes to this Founders Week.

So what's up?

Is there a budget crisis or not?

Thanks, man. All right, look.

You're good, man.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

Uh-uh. Look, you tried it.

You got a lot of nerve.

Look, look, look, I messed up.

All right?

But for me, our friendship was real. Like, no cap. I just never met anyone

like you.

Obviously. Look, I'm still working through, like, some pretty confusing

feelings right now. And it's important to me that you know, like, I never done

that kind of thing.

So I'm just supposed to believe that you're not out here moving around fluid

and flexible?

Deadass. I don't know what, like, that means sexuality-wise, but, like, it's

the truth.

Okay. You're allowed to figure it out. The problem is that you used me, and

then you compromised my friendship with Hazel while doing it. How did I use you?

Look, okay, I came here to apologize to you.

And yes, can you please help me apologize to Hazel? Because that girl

does not want to talk to me.

Come on.

I am looking for Amir.

Has anyone seen... Amir?

Hello, Leryl. I'm not going to tell you again. It's just Mr.

Larry.

No class today?

I had morning classes.

Well, shouldn't you be studying for finals or something? I mean, maintaining

strong grades is a condition of your probation.

And also, although I do respect your little barbering hustle, you will need a

taxable income, so I suggest that you try to hold on to your job at the

philosophy center. I work at the campus mental health center. I'm a psychology

major. Okay.

Look, either way, before I go, I will need to inspect your room.

All right?

Come on.

And don't forget about your monthly appointment at the downtown Richmond

office on Wednesday. Can't wait, Lerold.

Hey, just the person I wanted to see.

Did you, um, get my texts?

Yeah. Okay, so you're actively ignoring me?

No.

No, I've just been busy.

What's going on, DeBoer? Things have been weird ever since I got back from

spring break.

Really? I don't deserve any kind of answer at all?

Actually, you do deserve an answer. So, Shaquille told me that he's the one

that sent the flowers that you took credit for.

So that means the flowers were a lie and our kiss

was also a lie.

So there's your answer.

Good?

Rashida filled us in on everything.

I am so proud of my girls for wanting to take action.

I did want to, but I'm starting to think that there's not much we can do.

We are the people now. There's always something we can do in solidarity.

Look, we've been planting seeds all semester.

It's time to reap what we've sown. It's time to make some noise about this.

funding disaster so that people finally see the true extent of how HBCUs are

being impacted.

My dad has a plan.

Okay, maybe he just needs more time to execute.

Oh, baby.

We don't have more time.

And the way that your old man has been slashing the budgets, it's unfathomable.

versus addressing the real source of the crisis, the federal government. Instead,

he chose to gut the schools. We're just so sick and tired of letting them do

whatever they want.

Right, Deborah?

Hey.

You ready, little sisters?

Yeah.

That's right.

Come on, do it. No.

Come on.

Thank you.

What's going on?

Over spring break, we said we were gonna actually try to get us a shot.

What, a few weeks later?

You're a standoffish what's going on?

I told you I Need space space

Take all the space you

Absolutely not.

Good morning!

It is my distinct honor to introduce our esteemed guest and Hillman alumna,

Congresswoman Lena James.

Thank you, Hazel.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning.

Look at all these game-changers up in here.

This is exactly the energy that made me so excited to have the opportunity to

host this brunch today.

And to also sit down and talk to Hillman's best and brightest.

So let's get started.

How are you guys feeling about what's happening on campus?

Well, good morning.

My name is Candace Washington, and I believe that it is vital for Hillman

students to represent our amazing institution in the best light,

regardless of the climate.

Lawyer.

Okay. What? I see we have some thoughts.

Who else would like to speak?

So then I'm like, how are they going to give me a D- for using AI in a class

about using AI?

They out here mismanaging the budget and my grades.

I think that the administration is actually being strategic by using

Founders Week events to highlight the programs that wouldn't normally get

attention. It's actually subversive investing.

So now we're just excusing anything as long as it's strategic?

Is that what you heard? Because that's not what I said.

But shouldn't the administration be prioritizing the basics like student

housing? I mean, I just got a room halfway through the year. Yeah, that

brother was unhoused. Right.

Exactly. Hillman is spending way too much money on events. When scholarships

are being taken away, employees are losing their benefits, and quite

frankly, faculty jobs are being cut. Yeah, and pretending the school isn't

struggling, it isn't working.

Well, this is where I would challenge you to be the change you want to see.

And that's an axiom I learned right here on the campus of Hillman. And I've taken

it with me throughout my entire career.

So whether I was boots on the ground as a community organizer, a Baltimore City

Councilwoman, or even elected to Congress.

And let me be clear, we're not always expected to be fearless in the fight.

But what we must always be is relentless.

No matter what.

You feel me?

Yes. Thank you for having me today, and I can't wait to see what y'all do. Thank

you.

Ms. Hazel, I wanted to bring you out here and just say what you said in the

brunch today was quite astute.

And I love a young woman with a bright mind.

Thank you so much, Congresswoman.

I couldn't help but see that interaction that you have with that tall gentleman.

My ex.

I'm really embarrassed you saw that. Don't trip.

It's life.

But be careful.

Relationships with dynamic men can be... complicated.

Am I sensing some tea, Congresswoman?

Well, we don't have time for tea today, but what I will say is don't let all

that distract you.

Stay focused, okay? You have a lot to offer this world, and it would be a

shame not to see your offering shine in the world like you did in that brunch

today. You're exactly the type of candidate that we look for in my Student

Leadership Institute.

I want you to think about applying.

Shaquille. Why you running your mouth to Deborah?

Man, who's you talking to?

I say whatever I want to say to my girl. Is you crazy?

Look, man.

Deborah assumed the flowers were from me.

She seemed happy, so I rolled with it. To be honest, I forgot all about that.

Well, I ain't forget about it.

Just like I ain't forget how you kissed my girl when I was with her, right?

Boy, your ass is lucky. I'm about peace this semester.

You know, Deborah seemed real okay with kissing me.

Maybe I'm more capable of making her happy than you are.

Look here.

You don't know shit about the boy or about making her happy.

And you think you do? Damn straight.

Maybe.

And maybe you should stop acting like such a victim after what went down

between you and Candace.

Yeah.

Candace and I are friends.

We talk.

Now, as you'll see in our year-to-year, the federal cuts from last August put

Hillman in a deeper hole than we've ever been in in our 145-year history.

But if you turn to our projections for the next school year, we've got a real

chance at surviving this thing, especially with the private coalition of

Black philanthropists and alumni donors that I've been gathering.

Well, thank you, President Wayne.

These projections look and sound promising.

Yeah. But as y'all know, when it rains, it pours.

We are not out of the woods yet. I just got word from a very reliable source

that a wrongful termination suit from a Dorothy Davenport is imminent.

So what now?

More budget cuts, President Slash and Burn?

Hang on a second, Professor Patchouli.

You got a better idea?

Whoa, brother. Put some respect on our sister's name.

How did you get in there?

Pay no attention to repugnant Ron.

He's all bluster.

The hell I am. I put together a collection of some very high-powered

boosters and elite athletes that have the power and resources to make a real

difference, including my boy Dorian Hayward.

Okay. Yeah.

Dorian almost had to change his number. Ron called him so much.

Okay. Look, I know we all have different ideas of what Hillman needs, which is

why I've been doing a little backdoor deal in myself for the past few months.

Okay. Introducing legislation for a landmark HBCU spending bill.

which would earmark state funds specifically for Hillman. This political

climate is not leaning into helping us with anything. So we have to really pool

our resources together to make something happen.

So I'm grateful to Whitley. Whitley reconnected me with our Hillman brother,

Senator Douglas.

And our collaboration is fighting to bring this bill to life.

Senator Douglas just keeps popping up, don't he?

Oh, shit, Mom and Daddy about to fight. So is this the part where we compare

Whitley Gilbert to the spawn of Satan and Dwayne as the second coming of the

sweet baby Jesus?

All due respect, wife, you chose not to be transparent with what you were

working on, and you sideswiped. Okay.

Why don't you two just get a room so we can get back to the matter at hand?

Sideswipe, I told you I was in contact with Byron. Do we need to get security?

Yes. Security!

Go ahead and call him. I might have at least 10 minutes.

We're not doing this on my time. I move to adjourn. Second. Third.

Let's go. But we still have other things to discuss, Dwayne.

You hogged the whole meeting.

Freddie, can I ride with you? I'm not going out with Dwayne. Absolutely not.

How much longer?

We should go over the plan again.

Even if it takes all night, it's worth it. I mean, it will death send a

message. What about the precedent situation?

I'm on it.

Once it's done, post the code I gave y'all on HBCU up. I'll make sure it gets

reposted.

Deborah and Rashida, open the door.

Shit, it's past curfew. I know you little friends are in there. Come on.

Hide the drip. Come on. What do we do?

Hey, relax.

Hello?

Yes. Hi.

What took you so long? And what are you guys doing in there?

I'm busy, Candace. Can I help you? Yes, actually, you can. I am doing surprise

room inspections, so you just need to move to the side and let me in.

No problem.

That's right, Candace.

I know what you did. And I know that your fake ass smiled in my face like we

were cool afterwards. So now that we both know you're trash, you can get the

hell out of my room.

Deborah, it didn't happen that way.

Well, I'm so glad you were able to take a minute for me before I get back to

Baltimore. We have an opportunity to catch up a bit. I was thinking the same

thing. You know it's going to be okay, right?

Do I, though?

I promise you, it feels like my life is upside down right now.

I'm guessing you're talking about Whitley, considering how you both showed

your asses in front of them folks the other day. You don't understand, Lena.

Oh, wait a minute.

Now, you know I know a thing or two about high-profile relationships.

I've been married to Dorian for 30 years, a superstar basketball player.

Now, we've had our ups, we've had our downs, but we're a team, and we're

always going to be a team.

And my question to you is, do you want Whitley on your team or not?

That's what I'm trying to figure out, but...

It's hard when you're public enemy number one all over Hillman.

You know, a long time ago, I had this old, old, old wise professor that once

told me I shouldn't worry about what people think about me.

I was four years older than you. You calling me old?

And wise.

Listen. Oh, my God.

This is not your kumbaya moment.

But I promise you, you're going to go down in Hillman's history books as a

hero. And not just to Hillman, but to Whitley, too.

So the student has become the master, huh?

Is that what we're doing? That's right. I see you. I see you. I know you. Boy,

boy. Uh-oh. What have we got?

Oh, boy.

Okay. All right.

What happened? What happened? What's the problem? What's the big emergency?

This is the emergency.

So I'm tired of constantly being stuck in the middle between you two.

This is for your own good.

Maybe now you can...

Finally talk to each other instead of going through me

Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Hey,

I just got a message that I'd like to pass along.

Low key,

big guy. I repeat, low key, big guy.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

I have got huge news for you.

I don't know if you're ready for this. Come on, come on, pops. What's going on?

What's up?

Deion Sanders reached out to me.

Yes, sir. Coach Prime reached out to me. He said he's been following you, your

ups and your downs, and he wants to meet about bringing you on board.

Yeah, let that sink in.

This is why I'm your poppager, damn it.

The language of hip-hop transcends the music itself.

Historically, there's been rules and regulations.

but they're meant to be broken.

For example, take Del, the funky homo sapien.

Who?

Del, the funky homo sapien.

I've never heard of him.

Work with me, Negro children. Work with me. I've never seen that. Y'all really

used to dance like that.

And that's where we'll end for now.

But like I say, pay attention out there. Not every classroom has four walls.

No cap, all right? But, Professor, class just started. And what about, um...

Del the funky homo sapien. We'll get back to that.

Show us the money! Show us the money! Where is the money? Show us the money!

Where is the money? Show us the money!

I will never forgive your daughter for this. Oh, that is your side of the

family and you know it.

Oh, look, the psychopath left us dinner.

You brought Byron back into our lives to swoop in and save Hillman like some kind

of hero.

Because I wanted to help you in our school.

Byron has resources.

We could have talked about it first.

You know how embarrassing it was for me to have him walk into my office talking

that shit like that to me?

He baby pleased me.

I'm really sorry I didn't talk to you about it.

It's just that I know...

Who we are.

I know no one will ever come between us.

It was never a problem.

Yeah.

We are the only people who could actually damage us.

I never thought you'd really leave.

I never thought you'd let me leave.

But you said you needed space.

I didn't know you'd give it to me.

I don't want to damage... us anymore, Duane.

What was that for?

I don't know.

In case we never get out of here again?

Right.

This could be our last night.

Where is the money? Show us the money!

show us the money show us the money show us the

money show us the money show us the money i'm not a two

-stepping man i said i do not dance it's a inside my plans and the whole world's

in his hands it depends penny for your sins shooting up the block can't stop

revenge nappy dreadlocks like a rasta man where the story ends mama said the

messiahs and moccasins trying to save the kids in them apartments saying show

a way to live with other options opulence decadence black excellence and

lots of it i could cop the newest beamer benley or valencia cause i could pay for

this little scholarship i ain't caught up in rap politics play with me you're

playing yourself playing with death saying my prayer kathy and carl gotta

I'm the chef. I'm in DeKalb County. You'll be carrying catering chef.

Cooking up another plate of the best. Me and Crystal.

Body popping like it's Crisco. Fried chicken. I'm a thot. Then I put my face

in a thot. Took a drive. My plug on the west side of Atlanta.

He know the finesse guys with that on Hamilton head shots on the camera. And I

got a dreadlock. That's a felony charge.

You call the F.

Conner the N. Get X'd out. But I only been here because I'm trying to help.

Only one you can help is yourself now. Said it, I can't. Lie. Ain't dabbing no

hands. Sanitize. I'm going to slide on your man.

Lance Locke. Listen.

my pants can't you gonna try to retain you can now i can step on the end and

pow i'ma shoot at the ground that's what

i asked

him tell me he grabbed my wish