Original subtitles

Previously on "Bel-Air."

Coach Mac, Stapleton University,

down in Orange County.

It's a full ride scholarship you're offering?

Yes, ma'am.

I heard the business program out here is pretty solid.

You are on scholarship.

Basketball is the major.

You're not just going to Princeton for you.

You're going for all the Black kids who never got the chance.

This kind of feels like four more years of Bel-Air Academy.

The last thing I want to do is

look back and wonder, what if?

You know, I can't imagine living

life with that kind of regret.

I need to wrap this shit up with Dominique.

This is the last of it.

Forget you ever met the Banks family.

What's your title over there again?

House Negro?

With this baby coming, my family,

I'll protect them at all costs.

Well, do you think your role in their family

will ever be the same after what you put them through?

-I've been seeing Jazz. -That's your business.

I'm not here to judge you either.

Charlie's was flagged.

Me and the boys are about to take Lucille for a spin.

-You down? -I'm about to call it a night.

-OK, another time then. -Yeah.

Tell me more about this future.

Oh, God! Something's wrong!

Sit up. Let me get your coffee.

-Here you go. -OK.

-Let me get this up. -OK.

-There, you want... -OK, I think that'll do it.

I just want to make sure you're comfortable.

Warm blanket, fresh out the dryer.

Added some electrolytes for you, Aunt Viv.

And I'm on call, so just ring this bell if you need anything.

Y'all, this is so sweet, but I'm feeling so much better.

You don't need to fuss over me. I'm pregnant.

I am not an invalid.

Good thing I'm here, because I can see

you already acting difficult.

Oh, my baby's here!

-What's up? -Hey.

-What up, cuz? -Hey, Will.

What's up, guys?

Dad called me, and I hopped on the first flight I could get.

Yes. Mwah.

I figured having her here would cheer you up.

Oh.

Oh, it sure does.

Aw, I love you.

I love the hair.

Yeah, and this Afro boho Erykah Badu look, wow!

Yeah, Costa Rica was a vibe...

life-changing.

Oh, well, sit down and tell us all about it.

OK. So...

♪ Yeah, it's like deja vu ♪

♪ I see it all the time ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

-How's my sis doing? -She's better.

She's back from the hospital and resting now.

Oh, that's great.

I was praying hard.

-Yeah. -And how are you?

You know, I've been bragging to all my friends.

My son is going to Stapleton on a full ride.

Yeah.

What's wrong?

I just...

I just don't know if Stapleton is right for me.

I know basketball is gonna pay for school,

-and I love the game, but... -But what?

But I want to study business too.

And Coach made it very clear that that's not his focus.

So it just doesn't feel right.

Baby, I love that you got dreams.

You know, I raised you to have them,

and I know you're gonna run the world.

But you don't have to be a CEO at 18.

I know. I just...

I need a little bit more time to make something shake.

-That's it. -Shake?

What... what does that even mean?

You know, you've already made big life decisions

that I wasn't a part of,

like quitting basketball last summer.

But I'm still your mother, and I have a say so

-in your future too. -Mom.

-You know, and you... -Ma.

Want to turn down a great school

that wants you 'cause it doesn't feel right?

This is why I didn't want to say anything.

Yeah, well, you did.

And I'm gonna tell you my two cents.

You don't have any other acceptances

that you're excited about.

So you're gonna let these people pay for your education.

-And what you not gonna do... -Look, just...

Is block the blessing right in front of you.

-Mom. -I'm done.

Mom?

Shooting rubber bands across the classroom, Will?

You could have put that little girl's eye out.

What is going on with you?

Nothing.

Your teacher doesn't think so.

Best grade in the class.

I finish before everybody else.

What am I supposed to do?

Sit, stare at the wall?

So your teacher was right.

You're not being challenged enough.

Everything OK with Viv?

Yeah, I hope so.

But all the stress she's been going through

because of this doesn't help.

Found a specialist.

He's supposed to be the best.

But, uh, that's not why you're here.

Jazz.

That tip from Pamela was spot-on.

The feds questioned him, and the shop's financial records

were seized, which means you should expect a knock

at your door very soon.

Oh, I'm not gonna wait.

I'm going in.

I mean, might as well get ahead of it, right?

All I did was buy struggling businesses,

make improvements, diversify my portfolio.

Exactly.

You're a businessman, not a criminal.

We're at the end.

Stay the course, Phil, and everything will turn out fine.

Anything else I need to know?

I think we covered everything.

Man, my mom wouldn't hear nothing

about turning down Stapleton.

She went off.

See, that's exactly why I don't want

to tell anyone that I'm reconsidering Princeton!

OK, look, y'all need to chill.

Listen, in Costa Rica, they have this phrase,

pura vida. They say it all the time.

At first, I thought it was like, it's a vibe,

or like, whatever happens, happens, you know?

-Oh, like c'est la vie. -Oh, or hakuna matata.

Yeah, but it's deeper than that.

It means to live with your whole spirit

and to not be led by fear.

Damn.

Costa Rica really got you out here

on your shaman journey, huh?

Oh, it was fantastic.

I mean, I walked barefoot through the Rio Celeste River.

I swam in waterfalls.

And I just allowed myself to feel.

And all of this helped you get past your grief?

No.

But it taught me that grief doesn't have to disappear

to make room for joy.

They can live together side by side.

It's still hard,

but I'm glad I took the risk to leave.

Do the thing that scares you while you still can.

I get it.

Coach Mac wants to keep his job,

so he has to win games to do that.

I completely understand that.

But shouldn't I be going to college to...

to build my future, not his, you know?

And I know... I know I should be grateful for the opportunity.

And I am. I promise that I am.

But it's like, why do I have to let go of one thing

to get the other thing?

Why can't I just have both things at the same time?

I mean, saying it out loud sounds ridiculous, but...

Not at all.

I agree with everything you just said.

-You do? -Yeah.

It's your future, Will.

You deserve to make it look like what

you want for yourself.

Man.

I wish my mom felt the same way.

Well, I get why she's worried.

I mean, you're way past the application deadlines.

And decisions are due in the next few days.

Time isn't on your side, nephew.

Yeah, I know, but you told me no isn't final.

It's just the beginning of a conversation.

Yeah, you're right.

Persistence is key.

You know, most people give up at no.

Winners stay and negotiate.

This is the school I wanna go to.

You know, getting into this school,

it's gonna take more than grades and highlight reels.

Yeah, I know.

But you're surrounded by a community

who wants to see you succeed.

-Your network is your net worth. -Mm.

Mm.

Lean into that.

-Thanks, Uncle Phil. -Of course.

-Go get 'em. -Yes, sir.

You got this, son. I believe in you.

Oh, don't forget to carry the three.

-I'm just no good at math! -Hey.

You can do anything you set your mind to.

All right, you wanna get into Bel-Air Academy

like your sister, you're gonna have to pass the entrance exam.

Math is a big part.

Don't worry.

I'll get it, Dad.

I know, son.

And even when you're in Philly for spring break with your mom,

take your worksheets. Keep practicing, OK?

I'm counting on you.

Hey. You good?

Uh, yeah. Hey. What's up?

Listen, um, I'm gonna need you

to step up and help out more, especially looking out for Mom.

Whatever she needs, make it happen.

Yeah, of course.

And, uh, I wanna give you the key to my safe.

Account info, important papers, cash...

it's all in there.

Is there something going on?

Just taking precautions, that's all.

All right, yeah. Sure. Fine.

Whatever you need, I'm here to help.

Good.

I'm counting on you.

I do wish the timing was better.

But Hilary's here now.

And Carlton's on point to help with whatever you need.

You're talking like you're not coming back, Phil.

It'll be fine.

Remember, it's all part of the plan, OK?

My guess would be round ligament pain.

It causes a sharp feeling in the lower belly

as the uterus expands.

It's uncomfortable, but it's not harmful.

OK, but passing out, that's not harmless.

There's got to be another test.

Testing for every possibility,

it's stressful on patients.

No need to go fishing for problems

that just aren't there.

But what about my hands and feet?

They're really itchy.

Mm-hmm, and it's only getting worse.

There's got to be cause for concern, right?

Tell you what.

Why don't I prescribe you a mild hydrocortisone cream?

You're in the home stretch now.

Just make sure you're resting, drinking plenty of fluids, OK?

Rest, fluids, and lotion?

Thank you, big fancy doctor.

I mean, I don't know.

Maybe it was just a scare, a signal to slow down.

Mom, no! You know your body.

Don't let anybody make you doubt that.

It started with the car wash.

People paying singles, fives, tens.

It was easy to pad the numbers.

Then I got the laundromat...

coin machines, vending, cash-heavy.

Then I got the two parking lots.

I printed fake receipts,

claimed it was packed every night,

even when it was half-empty.

The dispensary was the last piece.

I couldn't even fake expenses fast enough to cover

all the cash coming in.

What else?

The business owners thought I was saving them...

cash infusions, better bookkeeping.

They didn't know I was using them to wash money.

So if you're looking to hang this around their necks,

please, don't.

Why are you copping to all this now,

turning yourself in? Why not run?

Because it was always meant to end this way.

And because I don't run.

♪ Do what I should thing ♪

♪ Do it, do it, baby, ♪

♪ Do what I could thing ♪

♪ I ain't never rep a set, baby, tsk, tsk ♪

♪ Ain't do no wrong ♪

♪ I could clean up good for you ♪

♪ Oh, I know ♪

Hey, Mr. Briggs. How are you?

It's Will Smith, your favorite pit pig from the country club.

♪ Don't at me ♪

Yo, Quentin, it's Will Smith,

your young, gifted, and Black superstar.

What's up, man? How you doing?

Hey, congrats again on winning that council seat, Yolonda.

Did I read that you started your career working

for a collegiate think tank?

♪ She a bad lil mama, she a diva ♪

♪ No matter what happens ♪

I love the Hail Mary attitude,

but what you're asking...

Look, Doc, all I'm looking for is an intro.

That's it.

You don't take no for an answer, do you?

Right now, I can't afford to.

All right, let me see what I can do.

♪ It don't matter, I know you never moved on ♪

I... I know. It's a big swing.

But if all these other pieces fall into place,

I gotta know I can still get a financial aid package.

Yes, I'll take a maybe. Yes.

Thank you, Ms. Bassin. Yeah, I'll talk to you soon.

♪ I ain't never rep a set, baby ♪

Trent!

Uh, sorry, Mr. Cunningham, it's, uh, Will Smith,

just leaving you another message.

It's kind of time-sensitive. I sent you an email.

You know what? I'll just text you.

♪ Do what I should thing ♪

♪ Hell, hell nah ♪

♪ Do what I could thing ♪

♪ Yeah, hell, hell yeah ♪

Along with your confession,

we have enough evidence to charge you

with money laundering, conspiracy

to commit money laundering, and fraud.

You're looking at 20 years minimum.

OK.

OK.

Awfully calm for a man who's about to lose

everything he's built.

Because you don't want me.

You want the head of an international crime

syndicate who's expanded operations

in Southern California.

That must be my associate.

He can help clear all this up.

Fred?

Jerome.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Phil.

Why don't we call the DA?

It's giving murder board.

Yeah, I took Unc's advice to rally my village.

Get this, a'ight?

Doc used to get his hair cut

by the assistant coach's barber.

Crazy, right?

And then I got Ms. Bassin sweet-talking

one of her grad school homies in financial aid.

I think they used to smash, but that's none of my business.

Painfully TMI.

Quentin Harrison?

Turns out his golf buddies write donation checks

the size of small countries to this college.

Big donors can make big requests.

And the biggest of them all...

-Stop. -Mm-hmm.

Except Trent's not answering my calls right now.

He's the only shot I have to get this late application

to the admissions committee.

To be fair, the last time we saw Drew's dad,

we were in handcuffs.

Not exactly glowing ambassadors of the Blackccess brand.

Thanks for the optimism, cuz.

Well, I mean, you keep doing what you're doing.

I'm just saying, I'm screwed, is all.

What's up, man?

Did you talk to Uncle Phil about Princeton?

No, I haven't told him yet.

He just seems under a lot of stress with my mom's condition.

It's just really bad timing.

Dude, stop playing, all right?

Do the shit that scares us, right?

If Uncle Phil helped me, why wouldn't he listen to you?

That's different. He expects more from me!

All right, dude.

It's your future.

You have a gang of acceptances to choose from.

But, hey, punk out if you want.

Hey, C. It's the last day to hang out.

What's taking you so long?

I promised my dad I'd study.

Let me see.

This one is 360,604 divided by 4.

So...

90,151.

How'd you get so good at math?

My mom's out there talking to Aunt Viv

about me taking some big tests to get

to some big school in LA.

-Bel-Air Academy? -Yep.

Well, you'd hate it.

Everyone's super rich and stuck up.

And I just don't want you to feel bad

'cause you wouldn't fit in.

Just keeping it real.

Please, I'm not sweating that bougie school.

Months ago, I was approached by an associate

of a London-based crime syndicate

to launder money stateside.

I refused.

The answer is no.

Just tell him I said so.

I reported it to Fred immediately.

Yo, Fred, we need to talk. This is urgent.

I couldn't go to the feds because

I feared for my family's safety.

My nephew had already been kidnapped,

so Fred and I, we came up with a plan.

You'll need to collect incriminating evidence...

bank statements, written plans.

And record all your interactions.

Phil, this is Dominique Bridges.

I've heard a lot about you.

Did Geoffrey ever tell you about me?

Did he ever mention he had a sister?

But Dominique had eyes everywhere.

I couldn't just walk into the Fed Building.

She'd assume I'd flipped.

But if the feds forced me to come in,

that's a completely different optics.

So you wanted us to catch you?

Yes.

I suggested high-risk cash businesses

with dispensaries at the top of the list.

I became an investor in Charlie's Vinyl,

which recently acquired a license.

I knew that the DCC would be monitoring

the accounts closely.

We'd like to talk to you about your business ties

to Philip Banks.

And there'd be no legal ramifications for the owner

as long as I kept him in the dark.

Are you vouching for this?

-On the record? -Every word.

Looks like your intel on the syndicate's movement

in LA checks out.

So you can take it from here.

You're not off the hook yet.

He's been transparent about everything.

What more do you need?

For an airtight conviction, a lot.

And I'm gonna need an official informant,

more information on everyone in the organization...

including the guy who makes the deposits.

Oh.

Thank God you're back.

I'm so happy to be home.

And what about you, hmm?

I heard the doctor wasn't much help.

Yeah, rest and relaxation, I guess.

So what did the feds say?

I need you to take care of yourself.

Phil, please.

I gave them everything I had.

-But? -They want more.

Dominique's full confession.

And...

they want Geoffrey.

I know that's not what you wanted.

It was always my plan to loop him in,

but I'm not sure where his head's at these days.

Then maybe you better find out.

♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ You cannot stop me ♪ -Hey, hey!

He's got a good game.

I can definitely see him on the team.

And he got that dawg in him.

You can't teach that.

But preferred walk-on slots are coveted, man.

And we got other cats we're looking at.

Come on, come on, come on!

He wants a program that values brains and basketball.

He's got both.

I thought I heard that he had an offer from Stapleton.

What happened with that?

Just wasn't sure it was the right fit for me.

Look, you get a chance to be a big fish

in a small pond there. You can be the star player.

Here with us, you fighting for maybe

the eighth, ninth spot.

Look, I don't have a problem earning my minutes.

I've studied your team.

You've got great shooters, but you need a player that's

gonna get in early, leave late, and challenge your starters

to be better in practice, and that's who I am.

OK, I like that.

But every guy on my roster fought

to be here, both academically and athletically.

Mm-hmm.

You haven't even submitted your admissions app.

-I'm working on it. -Look, he's got a plan.

He just needs a real look.

All right, look, I can't promise you a roster spot

without you being admitted, but if admissions clears you,

come holla at me.

My man.

-Appreciate you. -See you later, Doc.

-Ha, ha. -There you go.

Yes, sir.

-You like that? -Yeah.

Thank you.

Eli.

We have a dress code for a reason.

Um, I'm wearing the Bel-Air Academy uniform.

Skirts are not an approved uniform for boys.

-You know that. -And my pronouns are he/they.

You know that.

I'm not here to debate, but I am responsible

for enforcing policy.

Then the policy is the problem, not Eli.

They're not changing.

She's right.

I'm not.

Then you leave me no choice.

You'll have to serve detention for the infraction.

Are you serious?

That's stupid!

Who are they bothering?

Ash, it's... it's fine.

I'll take the detention.

Hey, Mom. Brought you some fruit.

Oh, wow.

You know, I think she looks a little too classy.

Not like the she-demon you described from college.

Oh.

Well, you know, I could add some horns and a pitchfork.

Oh, Regina wanted me to do a big unveiling to the press

in DC, but the doctors don't think

-it's safe for me to fly, so... -Good.

You should take it easy.

You know, when I was your age,

I dreamed of studying art in college.

But telling my parents scared me half to death.

And, you know, I almost let that fear talk me out of it.

But I sent in my portfolio to Howard

the last night that it was due.

Wow, that is really inspiring, Mom.

I mean, this is testimony now, but back then,

when I was sitting in that moment,

all alone, it was scary.

How'd you know about Princeton?

Motherly intuition.

Also, Hilary let it slip.

I mean, she might be enlightened,

but she can't keep a secret.

If the path you're walking doesn't feel right,

you owe it to yourself to follow one that does.

Dad is gonna be so mad.

Mm, he'll get over it.

Your next steps are yours to determine, not his.

Thanks, Mom.

I can't believe he didn't pass.

He studied his little heart out.

Maybe he just needs a tutor.

I know Carlton is bright, but maybe there's a better fit

that isn't Bel-Air Academy.

No, he deserves the best.

I'm not counting my son out because

he can't do long division.

Mmm.

The kitchen hasn't smelled this good since you left.

This was at the front door for you.

Yes!

Prime came through in the clutch.

Girl, these are my spices...

ginger, turmeric, a little dandelion root,

oh, for my broth.

-New recipe? -Yeah.

I'm making this anti-inflammatory soup for Mom.

Sounds comforting.

I could use some of that right now.

I got your text.

I'm sorry about Eli.

Thanks.

It just feels like something every day.

Well, you know, sometimes it helps

to feel a little less alone.

I was gonna go live on IG, do a little update.

-You wanna join me? -Me? With you?

-I mean, I'm not even ready... -And we're live!

Guess who's back from Costa Rica?

And I'm here with my little sis, Ash.

I know y'all been asking.

So we're gonna do a little update.

Hey, y'all.

OK, so Costa Rica.

I needed a place to go and really let the grief hit.

I just wanted to feel without somebody telling me

to make it inspiring.

It was exactly what I needed.

Yes, she is inspiring.

And I'm so glad she's back to check on her mom.

Yes, our mom is pregnant, y'all.

And she had a scare.

So she was complaining of itchy hands

and feet, nausea, insomnia.

This bigwig doctor came over, and he was no help.

You know, so many of us are walking

around misdiagnosed and ignored,

-especially Black women. -I know that's right.

If it could happen to Serena, it could happen to anybody.

-That's what I'm saying. -Whoa.

Someone had the same symptoms as Mom.

Oh, wow.

Y'all are amazing. Yes.

Thank you. Tell us more.

Tell us everything.

48 out of 50.

Baby, you killed that entrance exam!

Mm, mm, mm. Come on.

Why aren't you celebrating?

I don't want to leave Philly, Ma.

Who gonna show Tray how to hoop?

Tray's gonna be just fine.

I don't want to go where I won't fit in.

Wait. Who said that?

Honey, you fit in wherever you go.

And your crown is waiting for you as soon

as you find the courage to wear it.

We'll figure it out.

OK?

Mr. Cunningham.

What are you doing here, Will?

Ah, Drew told me that you had a trustee meeting today,

so I thought I'd catch you since you're

not answering my calls.

And there's a reason for that.

Mr. Cunningham, I just need to get my app in

to the admissions committee. That's it.

Yeah, I heard all ten of your messages.

Look, I helped you once, and it ended up

with you getting arrested.

The answer is no.

Mr. Cunningham, I already talked to the coaches.

Just...

It seems to me like you could just hear him out.

That's OK, Ms. Frankie.

And I know I'm just a lady with keys and a mop,

but I've been cleaning these halls for 20 years,

every student passing me by like I'm invisible.

But Will says hello,

asks me how I'm doing, how my husband's doing.

Now, a lot of these kids have inherited open doors,

but this one has had to learn how to pick the lock.

So what's it gonna be?

You wanna be a part of his story,

a reason he's made it,

or just another hurdle he has to jump over?

-You got five minutes. -All right.

-Walk with me to my car. -Yes, sir.

I'm just so grateful to all those women

who shared their experiences.

I mean, I would have never known

to ask for a liver panel test.

So what did the doc say?

I have cholestasis.

The pregnancy hormone slowed down my liver function,

which caused all the itching.

Crazy.

What's crazy is that this world-famous

specialist dropped the ball.

But we caught it early enough.

So with diet changes and monitoring,

I'll be back to my old self again.

And how are you?

I mean, all this worry with me and my doctors,

is this because of what happened with LaMarcus?

Mm.

I mean, doctors and their misinformation is triggering.

And the thought of having to lose someone else that I love...

But because of you, me and this baby,

we aren't going anywhere.

Yeah.

You know, this has actually made some things

-really clear to me. -Yeah?

So when I was in Costa Rica,

I bonded with these local women,

and they make ancestral healing foods.

I wanna share that.

I love that for you, Hilary.

And as long as I can get more of that soup, honey,

I support it.

Mom, I got a whole menu planned for your recovery.

-You about to eat so good. -Oh, bring it on!

Come on.

It's been a minute since we sparred, huh?

Yeah.

So how did it go with the feds?

I stayed cool, like we discussed.

Good.

As far as Dominique is concerned, we're done.

Oh, yeah?

Just like that?

That was the deal.

Why'd you lie? Huh?

When I called to take you for a ride with the boys,

you said you were tired.

You were with her.

Were you gonna tell me you flipped?

It wasn't too hard to figure out.

You're lucky it was me and not Dominique.

I had no choice.

Dominique was right.

You were gonna throw me to the wolves.

And you believe that shit?

She promised me my family back.

You made a deal to protect yours.

Can these people you seem to trust so much

promise me the same?

All I can do is try.

That's a promise.

I can't gamble on a try, Phil.

But you can gamble on her?

What happens when she tells you to jump and you don't?

Look, the only way I can protect you

is if you give her up.

Trust me, man, you don't want to be on the other side

of this when it goes down.

Ashley, what are you doing here?

Dress code violation.

Went a little crazy in the art room?

You look ridiculous.

Sometimes it helps to feel a little less alone.

So I know you couldn't go to DC

for the unveiling of that portrait,

so I brought your sorority sister to you!

Regina Baxter is here?

-In my house? -She's in the family room.

What did I miss?

-Oh, my God. -What?

What?

Hey, Regina!

I think you mean Big Sister,

all-powerful, all-knowing Regina.

-I'm kidding. -Oh.

You look so cute all knocked up.

And you have a little boo-boo in there.

Oh.

Oh, come on. Come here. Yeah.

Ooh.

Well, got Trent on board.

My app is in front of the admissions committee

as we speak!

Man.

Now, that is no surprise.

Sinking the buzzer-beaters is kind of your whole thing.

Right?

Listen.

What I said earlier about my dad expecting more

from me than you...

Mm.

The truth is...

I think I've always been afraid

that he will see something in you that I just don't have.

Nah.

Took us both a while to realize it wasn't a competition.

You've been inspiring me since day one, Will.

Damn.

OK.

Well, how about this?

How about you inspire your ass on downstairs?

'Cause Uncle Phil is in his office.

Mm.

Yeah.

Welcome to Bel-Air Academy, Mr. Banks.

Thank you for the donation.

-It was beyond generous. -Oh.

Sky's the limit.

Pick a university.

-Princeton. -Ha, ha.

You know, Michelle Obama graduated from there.

Great choice, son.

How you feeling?

Yeah.

You belong here.

Go show 'em.

♪ I'm screaming underwater ♪

♪ What you know I ♪

♪ Can't give you ♪

And if anyone so much as breathed

an injustice in my direction,

you and Mom would march up into that school

demanding a meeting.

Well, your teachers hated to see us coming.

I guess we were on high alert.

We knew what putting a little Black boy

in that space could look like.

But you put me there anyway.

Yeah, maybe it wasn't the right choice for you.

I was just looking for excellence.

And on paper, I was.

Captain of the lacrosse team, class president.

I got really good at making people feel comfortable,

even though I wasn't.

I let way too many white boys say the N-word.

Hmm.

I know it wasn't easy...

The anxiety,

panic attacks,

the drugs.

I could keep pushing.

You know, I...

I could just swallow it.

But it's just the thought of bracing myself

for more of the same.

Which is why

you want to turn down Princeton.

You know, I get it.

-Harvard was hell. -Really?

Mm-hmm.

Everybody had money, connections,

names on buildings.

I felt out of place.

You know, I used to retype my essays three times

because one mistake would give them a reason

to say I wasn't a Harvard man.

You felt like an imposter too.

I didn't walk across that stage feeling proud.

I walked across it wondering if I fooled everybody.

And when you were born, I never wanted you

to feel that there was a room that you

didn't deserve to walk in.

And so I pushed...

Maybe a little too hard.

I know how much you wanted me to go to Princeton, Dad.

No. No.

Princeton was never the goal.

The goal was freedom, choice.

And if saying no to Princeton

is you choosing your own path...

Then I know I did something right.

Thank you, Dad.

I can't even imagine my mom pledging.

Oh, you should have seen your mama online.

-Always talking back. -Oh, here we go.

Always had something to say.

No, that's not true.

-Disrespect. -Come on.

You're saying too much.

Excuse me?

Pledge Vivian, you're late!

-Oh, no, I'm not! -Oh, yes, you are!

Oh!

I'm getting the last word!

Oh, no, you're not! Oh, yes, I am!

Damn!

See? You bring it out of me.

I think it's time.

I am so excited to see this painting.

-OK. -Can we unveil it now?

Let's do it.

OK.

I now present Delta Pi Gamma's

31st National President, Regina Baxter!

Hmm.

I don't do teeth. I don't do that.

Well, I went with a warmer palette

to show off your softer side.

I don't have a softer side.

That's why I had to paint one.

OK.

Clearly, my mom sees something different in you,

something deep.

No, that's just how I was raised.

My mama said, baby, this world tries

to bend Black women until we break,

and you gotta bend it right back.

Teaching us strength before they teach us rest.

Amen.

Well, I mean, she did a great job...

congresswoman, sorority Prez, hello?

Yeah.

She was dealing with her own mess.

God, I inherited so much of it.

You know, we tried prepping our kids for the real world,

but sometimes our love feels more like pressure,

and we don't even know it.

I spent so much time trying to be unshakable...

I forgot to be human.

I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Maybe it's a reminder to lean into your soft side.

You know what I'ma call this?

"Let That Shit Go."

Oh. I receive that.

-Let that shit go. -I like that.

-OK, girls, how about pictures? -Oh, OK.

-Yes! -All right.

Say "sisterhood" on three. One, two, three...

Sisterhood!

So cute.

♪ You are not your pain ♪

♪ I know that it's hard, but you gonna be good ♪

♪ God promised me when I pray ♪

♪ One of a kind that you are ♪

♪ You really deserve everything that you hope ♪

♪ All of the things you see in your dreams ♪

♪ Despite what it seems, step out of the boat ♪

♪ Been learning to cope with all of your pain ♪

♪ But really I'm praying that you let it go ♪

♪ A lot of the times, you doubt yourself ♪

Dad?

I know where I'm gonna go.

♪ You are a star ♪

♪ Don't let your scars define you ♪

♪ You're free to be who you are ♪

♪ I've been praying, praying, praying for you ♪

♪ Praying for you ♪

I got in, Ma.

Yeah, I finally know where I'm going.

Where?

I'm coming home.