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[Jazz music playing]
[singers harmonizing]
♪ Keep on shining ♪
♪ Always grinding ♪
♪ We see you! ♪
♪ As the stars align for you ♪
♪ Blocks on 10! ♪
♪ Just a splash of skin ♪
♪ The brief relief ♪
♪ From the everyday ♪
♪ Heavy days ♪
♪ But I'm holding onto the beauty I see ♪
♪ Keep on shining ♪
♪ Always grinding ♪
♪ We see you! ♪
♪ Beauty I see ♪
[car horn beeping]
[indistinct chatter]
[Jazz music playing]
[Yusef] I think a portrait can be very strong,
especially if you consider the person
that you're looking at it.
-[Isaiah] What's up? -[Yusef] There he is.
What up, Black King?
-Excuse me. -[Yusef] Good to see you, man.
So consider their experiences.
[indistinct chatter]
[Stevie] Black people as extraordinary and normal
at the same time.
Kind of shit that keeps me up at night.
It's intense.
So introspective.
[Jazz music playing]
You mind?
It's beautiful.
Thank you.
West African, right?
Yeah.
I got it in Cote d'Ivoire.
[Sicily clears throat]
Damn.
Hello.
This is my cousin, Sicily.
-Nice to meet you. -Very nice to meet you.
[Yusef] Hey, Isaiah.
Can you, uh, excuse me for a moment?
[Jazz music playing]
So, um, are we gonna-- are we gonna discuss that?
Discuss what?
-Stop. Stop. Stop. -[Yusef] You're looking at her
like you wanna paint her.
[Chenai] Yusef, such a fabulous turnout.
-It's amazing. -Chenai, Isaiah Maxwell.
-Ah. -Pleasure to meet you.
Mr. Davis, we're ready.
-I'll see you. -Yes.
Walk with me.
[Jazz music playing]
He wanted to paint over this.
You have a great eye.
I've seen your work.
-You have? -Of course I have.
It's my job.
Right.
[Chenai] It's pure joy to watch the progression
of an artist through the labor of several bodies of work.
Hmm.
Experiment…
the Success…
Disappointment.
Yusef says you're pretty special.
Now, if you want representation and a possible solo show,
now you're going to have to commit yourself
100% to the work.
-Solo show? -I'm having a group show here
in a few months,
maybe if you have something,
I can include it by then.
That would be amazing.
Good.
If you'll excuse me.
Of course.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jazz music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[distant dogs barking]
[singer] ♪ Zodia, the zodiac na holy ♪
♪ She dey text the stars and crystal ball emoji ♪
♪ We met last year at Afropunk in Jozi ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh na na ♪
♪ She go look 'pon the sky for confirmation ♪
-What up, girl? -[Mecca] Hey.
-How you? -Hmm. I'm good
-How are you? -I'm coolin'.
-Yeah? -Yeah.
Yeah, you look like you're coolin'.
-Yeah, I'm chillin'. -I see you. I see you.
Looking for something. Nah, I'm kidding.
Awww. [laughs] I see you.
Ay, you see your boy yet?
No, I ain't see him. Where he at?
I have no idea.
-Late. Probably. -Late, huh,
-handling business? -[laughs]
-Nah mean? [laughs] -[singer] ♪ It's real for you ♪
♪ Is it too real for you? ♪
♪ I give you my life, I dey kill for you ♪
Ahhh. What up?
-Mmm. Mmm. -Mmm. Mmm.
[Nick] What up, G?
-This shit poppin'. -I know, thank you. Thank you.
-Yeah. -It's crackin'.
-Hey, mama. -Hi.
Ah, shit. Here they go.
Here they go.
-Break that shit up. -Don't be mad,
-don't be jealous. -Break that shit up.
Just make sure your ass have a good time
-tonight, all right? -Okay.
[laughter]
-How we looking? -It looks real good.
[Hip-Hop music playing]
[man] Oh. [laughs] What's good, boy?
-Good. -Coolin', coolin'
Oh, let me introduce you.
-My girl, Mecca. -[Goldlink] How are you?
-Nice to meet you. -My boy, Isaiah.
-[Goldlink] Gotchu. -[Isaiah] How you feelin'?
-Good to see you. -I got the bottles
-coming to your section. -For sure.
Got you.
Oh, shit. Hold up.
♪ [singer indistinct] ♪
[laughter]
-[Mecca screams] -[Stevie] Girl. Oh, I'm so happy
-to see you. -Oh.
I'm so glad you made it.
-You look great. -No.
Stop. Stop. You look amazing--
-Thank you. Thank you. I'm trying. ---as always.
-Okay, we're gonna switch -[man] A shout-out to Goldlink.
-Oh, shit. Hold on. -Go ahead.
[man] We got GoldLink in the building. DC's own…
-I want this. -You look nice.
Want that purse, shoes, everything.
We can switch it up, boo.
Girl.
-What's good, slim? -Mmm. Mmm.
-How are you? -I'm good. I'm good.
-Good to see you. -You as well.
-[Stevie] You look good. -You ready to party tonight?
Uh, well, um, I'm gonna try.
I haven't been out in a minute, so a little stiff.
We're gonna work on that.
We're gonna--we got you.
[Hip-Hop music playing]
♪ [singer indistinct] ♪
Yeah.
-Come on. -I think so.
Uh-huh. I think so.
Isaiah, this is Stevie.
We went to Howard together.
And, uh, my boy Zay, we've known each other since…
[both] Marion Barry Summer Youth Program.
Yeah. It's crazy.
[laughter]
Okay.
Nice to meet you.
-Again. -Again.
Oh, wait. So y'all know each other?
It's our second time meeting,
but I guess, something like that.
Well, all right.
[Nick] Uh, maybe we should get us some drinks.
-Yeah. -We're gonna--
-[Nick] Yup. ---do that.
-I already know. -Got me? Cool.
-Come on. -Yeah.
Okay. Small world.
-You look beautiful. -Thank you.
[Isaiah] I like that.
I like that. [laughs]
With your hair back.
[laughter]
[Hip-Hop music playing]
Nice turn out.
Yeah, it's pretty crowded, isn't it?
-Nick's a good guy. -[Nick] Um, okay. Okay.
-Yeah. -Are you ready?
Yeah. Oh, thank you.
-Yes. -Thank you.
Okay. So, uh, to right now.
-To right now. -To right now.
Cheers, y'all.
-Uh-huh. -Uh-hmm.
-Eye contact. -Eye contact.
-Uh-hmm. -Ooh, that's fire. Y'all ready?
[man] Check, check one, two.
Yo, yo. How y'all doing tonight?
[cheers and applause]
Oh, come on, Get Down-- y'all can make more
noise than that. How are y'all doing tonight?
[cheers and applause]
[Nick] So if you don't know, uh, my name is Nick
and I'm the owner of this here establishment
-and this is the Get Down. -I'm gonna--
Oh, okay. See you in a bit.
[Nick] --some of that good old DC flavor right now.
-So-- -What you know about go-go?
You about to find out.
Do you dance?
Yo, TOB, crank that shit, man.
[cheers and applause]
[Go-Go music playing]
♪ Southside ♪
♪ Aye, Uptown ♪
♪ What's up, Shug? ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
[birds chirping]
So you're an artist?
[laughs] Makes sense.
That a bad thing?
No.
Not at all.
Shit, I mean, we're all artists as far as I'm concerned.
[laughs]
I just happen to paint.
I don't have an artistic bone in my body.
Eh, I find that hard to believe.
[chuckles]
Folk make you feel like art supposed to be
some lofty shit but, Black people
create shit out of nothing every day.
And if that ain't art, then, I don't know what is.
Like, what about you?
What about me?
-Come on, man, you know. -[laughs]
-Like, what do you do? -Okay.
Okay well, I just, um, transferred to Georgetown Law.
Georgetown. Aight.
That's what's up.
So, how did you get a name like Stevie?
My mom.
She named me after Stevie Wonder.
-Word. -Mmm-hmm.
That's dope.
Yeah, my mom saw him in concert in Rotterdam
when she was eight months pregnant with me.
She said I was so excited that I danced
the entire time.
-So-- -Damn.
---there you have it. -Damn.
That's what's up.
My folks just picked their favorite name
out the Bible and, uh, you know…
[laughter]
Wait, so Rotterdam, huh?
Yeah.
I lived there until I was 16.
-Okay. -But my parents,
my grandparents, my whole family,
everyone's from DC.
-DC or PG County? -DC.
Look I'm just asking, you know, people try and lump DC
and Maryland and Virginia all together but, you know.
I'm right here.
-This you? -Yeah.
Thanks for walking with me.
[chuckles] It's my pleasure.
Hey, Stevie.
I know you're busy with law school and everything
but, if you ever wanna pause for a moment…
maybe we could do this again.
[score playing]
[chuckles]
Morning, Stevie Richmond.
Good morning, Isaiah…?
Maxwell.
Got you.
[Claudette] But I like the design though.
The design was really nice.
Yes.
[Mr. Maxwell] Reverend Raleigh put his foot in that sermon
-this morning, didn't he? -I would've enjoyed it more
if Helen's hat wasn't in the way.
Can't go one day without talking 'bout folk?
Oh, hush.
I wasn't talking about her.
I was talking about her hat.
[Mr. Maxwell] Junior, you apply for that job yet, son?
-What job? -[Claudette] You know, the one
that Deacon Johnson recommended.
Thought I said I wasn't applying.
Junior, are you still selling sperm?
That was one time, Claudette.
[Mrs. Maxwell] The deacon says that job pays real good, Isaiah.
You could finally start tithing, find a nice apartment.
[Mr. Maxwell] I'm still trying to figure out
how you're gonna support a family with these paintings.
That ain't no real job.
-What family, pops? -[Claudette] I mean, Dad,
-can you let him get a woman first? -I…
Let me find out you like being broke.
I'ma go inside.
[indistinct chatter]
Ooh.
Hey.
I love that you're here.
I mean, you're giving me all this free coffee.
[Mecca] Well, listen though, I'm taking donations.
-You could always… -Not today, boo.
-No? Oh. -[Stevie] Nice try.
Wow, it's harsh. Okay.
[laughter]
Is this from the same farm…
or, a different one?
This is actually from a different farm.
It's one of the oldest coffee beans
still produced in Ethiopia.
No wonder it's so good.
Mmm.
Thanks, sis.
So tell me, what--what's going on?
What are you working on?
I can't really describe it.
I mean, it's like I enjoy what I'm doing at the firm.
Mm-hmm.
[Stevie] But I just don't know
if I wanna be this big shot lawyer
-at a big firm, you know. -[Mecca] Mm-hmm.
And my dad thinks that those big firms
will give me the leverage I'll need later.
Well, I mean, you know,
I am literally my parents' worst nightmare.
-Stop. -I mean, girl, look,
I've got multiple degrees
to pour people's coffee.
Stop it. You're doing it.
Yes, I am. You're right.
I am. I'm doing it.
[laughs]
You know, I saw the way
-Isaiah was looking at you. -Girl, stop.
I don't--I don't have time
-for much of anything right now. -[Mecca] Okay.
Look at how I'm spending my weekends.
Yeah, that's not cute.
-No? -[Mecca] Uh-uh.
He asked me on a date.
Okay.
-I mean… -[Mecca] That's great.
I mean, it's just a date.
Right.
-We'll see. -We'll see.
-[Mecca] We'll see what… -Stop. Don't do that.
That's--I didn't-- I didn't do anything.
That's…
[laughs]
Be careful. This is my mortgage for the next year.
[laughs]
I got you.
This thing looks serious.
Yo, you finished that fucker for the show yet?
Ah still stuck.
[Yusef] Your ass.
Your ass need to get inspired.
Hey, tell me where you get it from.
Well, it depends on the piece.
You know, it's been a bit of everything, you know,
from uh women to motherfuckers on the corner,
to Cuban architecture
to watching ducks in the park.
You know, the best shit come from living.
You know, you can't be holed up in a dark-ass room all day
and expect the motherfucking muse to just show up for free.
No, she a hungry bitch
and she need to be fed that good shit.
Now, look, what your ass need to do,
is separate your studio from your living space.
That's when you're gonna become the artist you wanna be.
So you preaching now?
Hey, call it what you want.
If you don't learn shit else from me,
always remember to keep at least one piece
for yourself from every show.
Why do you say that?
Because motherfucker, you got to own your own shit.
Word.
I ain't think about it like that.
[Yusef] I know.
Most of us don't.
[Stevie] A recent report by the DC Fair Housing Institute
reveals that housing costs are often between
50% and 80% of the income
of the district's poorest families
who are almost completely Black and Latino.
The current housing protection laws are flawed
and no longer serve the people they were intended to protect.
I'm not sure this is a civil rights issue.
Can you actually prove patterns of discrimination?
May it please the court?
What's happening in DC right now
is the result of legacy housing discrimination
in this country.
It's exactly one of the reasons
why the Fair Housing Act of 1968
was enacted in the first place.
While the discrimination may not be blatantly
based on race,
it has shifted to economics,
which is, again, in this country,
tied to race.
Mmm, mmm, mmm.
You laughing at me?
Quite the setup you got here.
You know?
I like to spoil the ladies.
[both laughs]
-Hmm. Do you now? -Hold on, hold on. More wine?
-Uh-hmm. -I got you.
Yes, please. Oh, hold on. Wait.
Got to finish that.
-Shit. -No, it's okay.
-You good? -It's all good.
[Isaiah] I love it out here right now.
It's like the perfect time.
[Stevie] It's beautiful.
[Isaiah] I wanna show you something.
[Stevie] So this is where all the magic happens.
I mean, I guess you could say that.
Oh.
I really love this one.
I actually just picked that one up from my mom's house.
Still got to finish it.
[Stevie] This isn't done?
[Isaiah] No. I still need to fill in
some details on his shirt, background.
It'll get there.
Wow.
What's under here?
I haven't shown anybody that one yet.
Go ahead.
Take it off.
Be gentle.
Be gentle, be gentle.
Wow.
Thank you.
Kind of reminds me of Noah Davis's work.
That's one of my favorite artists.
-Really? -Yeah.
-Wow. -He always talks about
spirituality being the driving force
behind his paintings
and how uncomfortable it makes people.
Now if my work could even come remotely close
to evoking that kind of conversation,
that'd be the day, huh?
Uh-hmm.
So how do you know when a painting is finished?
How do you know when you're making love to someone?
[dramatic music playing]
[Stevie] Hey.
I just received a package with a painting.
Would you know anything about that?
There's no return address.
Word.
You got admirers sending you art, huh?
All right.
I might need to step my game up.
Mmm, I think your game is pretty strong.
Well, it's all yours now.
Will you come hang it for me?
All right.
Damn.
This you?
It is.
So, here it is.
So where do you want me to put it?
I was thinking right here.
What do you think?
You know.
All depends how you wanna interact with it,
want it to put a smile on your face
when you walk in the door,
remind you about something,
or someone.
[dramatic music playing]
How about this spot right here?
I got it.
[dramatic music playing]
[Stevie] It's perfect.
[dramatic music playing]
[laughter]
-Uh-hmm. -Hold on, hold on.
Nah, nah, nah. No. No. No.
Yo, I've known Young for God knows how long, right?
[laughter]
He's never cleaned a crab for nobody, not even his mother.
See, she used to eating crab cake,
so you know, I have to help her out.
That's not true. That's not true.
The female crabs taste sweeter. That's facts.
-[Nick] Facts. -Yes.
Okay. Yeah. Sure.
That makes sense though, right?
Because women are just better in general.
-Ah, shit. Here we go. -Thank you. Thank you.
-Here we go. I ain't say all that. -It's true.
I mean, truthfully speaking, if we are speaking truthfully…
-Yes. Of course. -Uh-huh.
…you know, women are better.
-Mmm. -Mmm.
Come on, bro. Why are you trying to show me up?
-Come on-- -[Stevie] See I like him.
[laughter]
But I like you better.
-Okay. -Okay. Yeah.
Yeah, I got it. Got it.
[laughter]
-Pops. -Yeah?
Why are we painting the living room again?
Because your mother watches too much HGTV.
Thought you loved painting? [chuckles]
It's not funny.
Hey, how is that job search going anyway?
I'm actually about to get representation soon.
Means I'm gonna have somebody to sell my work.
Probably get a solo show, too, soon.
[upbeat music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[exhales] I'm so proud of you.
-Really, Mo? -[laughs] Hey.
Young.
What's up, baby?
-Appreciate you. -Of course. Of course.
Well, it's good to see you again.
-You're looking great. -I love that. Stop.
-Hey. -Hmm.
-Thank you for coming. -Of course. Of course.
Honey, it's so great.
This is it.
-Ooh. -Ah.
Young, this is a fucking masterpiece.
-Yeah. -[Isaiah] Come on, man.
Yo. You're about to blow up.
-I'm--I'm proud of you, cuz. -For real.
-Oh, all right. -All right.
[laughter]
Oh, man.
Okay. Isaiah, Stevie, come on.
-Smile. -[Isaiah] All right.
-Oh. -Uh-hmm.
-All right. -Okay.
All right, all right.
-No, horizontal. -Yup.
-That's better. -Okay.
All right. Great.
Hey, let's get one by the banner.
-Yeah. -Okay.
-I like… -[Isaiah] All right.
All right, all right.
-Ah. -[laughter]
There he is.
-Look at that. Look at that. -There it is…
-Thank you. -Thank you.
-Thank you so much. -You having fun?
I'm having a lot of fun. How about you?
[Adam] Hey. Isaiah.
Adam, what's going on?
-[Adam] How's it going? -It's going.
-Can't complain. -Yeah.
Uh, this is, uh, Stevie, my girlfriend,
and, uh, this is Adam.
-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you, too.
Me and Adam went to MICA together.
So what have you been up to, man?
You with a gallery?
Are you a painter as well?
Yeah, but not nearly as good as this guy.
-[Isaiah] Ah. -[Adam] He was a rock star
-in school. -[chuckles]
I think he's pretty dope.
Oh, if you're in New York next month,
I'm having my next solo show at the Sena,
spent six months in Rome getting ready for it.
Would love to have you at the opening.
That's great, man. Honestly, um, congrats.
-[Adam] Thanks, man. -[Isaiah] Yeah.
I would kill to be in one of Chenai's shows, though.
[sighs] Loved your piece.
Again, it was very nice to meet you.
-Take it easy, man. -Nice to meet you.
I'm, uh,
I'm gonna talk to Chenai real quick.
-Okay. -I'll be right back.
-Thank you for coming. -No problem, stop.
[mellow music playing]
Looks good.
But…
I think you can do better.
[crickets chirping]
You called me your girlfriend in there.
[dramatic music playing]
Chenai doesn't think I'm ready for my solo show.
What?
Why?
She don't think I quite figured out what it is I wanna say.
Do you not think you have something to say?
No, I do.
I know I do.
Then you have to show her.
I was thinking,
you should stay.
Yeah. I'm gonna spend the night.
I mean…
stay, stay.
You think we're ready for that?
I mean, we spend nearly every night together.
You can work at the studio.
I need this solo show.
Word.
Let me guess, White boys you went to school with,
they already on their second, third solo?
-Pretty much. -Ain't that some shit.
How much better are you than them?
Enough.
Do the powers that be know that?
I mean, they should.
They should.
Motherfucker, they ain't gonna know it
until you make them.
And when you do, just better be ready to create,
and I ain't talking that good shit neither,
I'm talking that epic shit.
Look, it don't matter that you're better
than your classmates.
You can't be just better, right?
You, you gotta be a fucking unicorn.
Like you are.
I wasn't born a unicorn.
I just learned how to shapeshift.
Checkmate.
[Stevie] Sometimes I wonder if getting a law degree
is really necessary.
[Isaiah] Maybe it's not.
But, like, it just makes you 10 times more incredible
at what you already do.
[Stevie] I just wanna be more like you sometimes.
[Isaiah] How is that?
[Stevie] Bold in your opinions, your work.
Sometimes I feel like my work isn't enough.
What would be enough?
To express my ideas without having to explain them
to anyone, not making any sort of statement
just showing Black people
as normal and beautiful
and everything else.
Do you feel like you can't do that?
I don't know.
[Stevie] So, quickly, I didn't tell my parents
we're living together.
Okay. I mean…
-And my mom can be a little-- -Babe, I'm, I'm good.
Okay.
Hello.
Mom, this is Isaiah.
It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Richmond.
Yes, it is.
You know where to find your father.
[Mr. Richmond] Hey, there she is, Stevie.
-Daddy. -[laughs] Come here, girl.
[grunts]
-How are you? -Good. How are you doing?
-I'm good. -Good.
-Daddy. -Hmm?
-This is Isaiah. -Uh-hmm.
Very nice to meet you, sir.
Okay.
Firm grip.
Where are you from, son?
-Southeast. -No kidding.
Well, that explains the grip.
This is a very nice house you have here.
Oh, you telling me.
Got in when the getting was good,
got White folks confused as hell.
Now, I hope you bought something in Southeast
because you know they're coming.
[laughs] Have a seat.
[Isaiah] Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Richmond.
It was, um, it was amazing.
You're welcome.
How did you two meet again?
Uh…
[laughs] At an art show.
Yeah.
You remember the one I told you about?
Ah, yes.
-Stevie says you're a painter. -Yes, ma'am.
Is that what you studied in school?
-Mom. -Yeah. I studied at MICA.
[Mrs. Richmond] Did you consider Howard?
They have a wonderful art history program.
-HU! -You know.
I wish the best to anyone who tries to make
a living out of a profession in the arts.
Not everything is about money, Mom.
[Mrs. Richmond] Of course everything isn't about money,
but in my experience especially at the embassy,
it makes things much easier.
I love the fact that you want to help people
but there are cheaper ways to do that
and it's called volunteering.
If you're Black, you don't go to Georgetown Law
to work for an underfunded, non-profit,
or second-string firm.
[Isaiah] I think it's great that Stevie wants to help people.
I mean, we need more lawyers like her looking out for us.
Hear, hear.
[Mrs. Richmond] So, how long have you two been seeing each other?
It must be hard to date while balancing law school.
-Dear. -Daddy, it's fine.
-I make time. -[Mrs. Richmond] Oh, honey,
no one can make time,
that's why we don't want to waste it.
Actually, me and Isaiah are living together.
Where, since when?
-Since-- -In your house?
[Mrs. Richmond] Well,
times surely have changed.
[car engine revving]
[machine beeping]
-I'm telling you the truth. -You're lying.
-No. Baby, you should be-- -What do you even mean?
--proud of this. Come on.
-What are you talking… -I'm proud of it.
-I mean, he's your man. -Okay. I'm gonna let you be.
[laughs] But these injera tacos though, right?
-Next level. -Uh-hmm.
-Fire. -Exactly.
Oh. Uh, so what are y'all getting into this weekend?
[Nick] Oh. Yeah.
Uh, we are actually gonna go down to the Wharf,
go get some, like, fish and do an impromptu fish fry.
-If y'all down? -Oh, we're so down. Uh-hmm.
-I, uh--I can't. -Hmm?
I have a piece to finish.
-Oh, shit. -[Stevie] Babe,
you've been in the studio all week.
Yeah, I know. But I got a lot to finish.
-It's one day off. -I understand that.
[Mecca] You were trying to break up a home?
-I don't care. -Uh…
I have stolen many girlfriends before, okay?
You a mess. You a mess.
I can't with you though.
[Sicily] I have no shame in my game.
[Mecca] I see that.
Hello. Stevie.
-Hey. -What's up, girl?
I'm sorry.
-You okay? -What?
[sighs]
Isaiah is so stressed
trying to get a solo show.
I mean, I barely see him.
I mean, girl, look, you know,
men can only focus on one thing at a time.
-Uh-hmm. -Right?
Uh-hmm.
You know, I just-- I just wish I knew how to help him.
Come on, Stevie.
You took him to your house to meet your parents
and you know he broke.
Look, he's a man, okay?
All he wants to do is to be able
-to take care of you. -Yes.
He doesn't want you to help him.
-I mean, I… -[Mecca] No, you're right.
-You're right. -I'm just saying.
That's true.
[Jazz music playing]
Huh.
I wanna get the likeness as close as possible but,
you know, the thick paint kind of distorts
the person's face.
End goal is to have it look kind of dramatic, I guess.
But…
the distortion,
that's my perception of the person.
[chuckles]
Come on.
God is gracious. God is good.
Let us thank you for this food.
Amen. Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
-Thank you, Jesus. -Thank you, Jesus.
[both chuckle]
[sighs]
How's school been?
Good. Good.
Busy like always, you know?
Just…
-Per usual? -Yeah.
[chuckles]
-[chuckles] -What?
[chuckles]
Chenai's giving me a solo show.
-What? -She just told me. [chuckles]
[Stevie] Oh, my God. That's amazing.
-Yeah. -[Stevie] Congratulations.
-What? -Thank you.
Come over here. I'm so proud of you.
I'm so…
Thank you.
That's like--you just…
I know I still got a lot of work do, so…
You got this.
You got this, babe.
[R&B music playing]
[phone rings]
[Dr. Clark] Ms. Richmond.
-Dr. Clark. -[Dr. Clark] I heard
your capstone defense went very well, young lady.
Congratulations. [laughs]
-Thank you. -[Dr. Clark] We received
so many interview invitations for you.
Let's see. We got Schmidt Morgan here in DC.
We got New York. There's, uh, Pride & Randall.
As well as Jacobs, Thompson, & Lee, and--
are you ready for this?
Are you ready for this?
Watkins Skinner & Robertson in Chicago.
Third most prominent firm in the country.
[laughs] I can't believe this.
You did it!
Darlene Robertson's firm?
-[Dr. Clark] Yes. -Chicago.
Um, [clears throat] a lot has changed
since I applied.
[Dr. Clark] Stevie, wait a second.
Okay. It's your decision to make,
but if you really wanna be a partner one day,
you don't turn down an opportunity like this.
I understand.
[Dr. Clark] It's totally up to you.
Thank you.
[line hangs up]
[sighs]
[announcer] Please take your seats,
the curtain is about to go up
on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance.
[soft music playing]
♪ Been on a train ♪
♪ Baby, did you hear the whistle blow? ♪
♪ Been on a train north ♪
♪ Baby, did you hear the whistle blow? ♪
♪ I saw a man ♪
♪ Take a needle full of hard drug ♪
♪ And die slow ♪
[door opens]
[door closes]
Babe, my bad.
[sighs]
It's fine.
I was in the zone and just…
[sighs] completely lost track of time.
I said it's fine.
♪ Mister there's a bright light in the north wind ♪
♪ It's gonna bring you home ♪
♪ He said ♪
♪ "But Mister you were wrong ♪
♪ And I'm gonna sing my song ♪
♪ For you" ♪
[Isaiah sighs]
[applause]
[grunts]
I'm gonna go to Chicago.
I'm gonna go interview with Darlene Robertson's firm.
Word.
Yeah.
[Isaiah] That's great.
I just thought you were going with that firm
you worked with over the summer.
Yeah.
I figured it doesn't hurt to go.
[Isaiah] All right.
So how is that gonna work?
-We'll figure it out. -[Isaiah] All right.
[Jazz music playing]
[Chenai] Isaiah, I want to introduce you to someone.
[Isaiah] Uh, thank you.
[chuckles]
[Chenai] A genius.
[indistinct chatter]
[Chenai] Isaiah Maxwell.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Thank you for coming.
[Mrs. Maxwell] I'm so proud of you.
[Mr. Maxwell] You're doing it, son. Doing it.
-Gotta give it to you. -[Chenai] Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Chenai Hungwe,
and I want to thank you for coming out
to this opening reception.
And before we get started, I would really like to give
a special thanks to Mr. Yusef Davis for…
[applause]
[Chenai] Yeah.
For bringing this young talent to my attention.
I have the distinct pleasure of presenting
his first solo show.
For this artist,
this is home.
Many of you need no introduction,
but please allow me to introduce…
Isaiah Maxwell.
[cheers and applause]
I, uh…
can't tell you how special this night is.
Take your time, Mo. You got it.
[laughter]
Truth is I wouldn't be here…
if it wasn't for Chenai
taking a chance on me.
Thank you for that.
Thank you all for coming.
-This one's to DC. -To DC.
[both laugh]
[applause]
Drink. Enjoy yourselves.
[dramatic music playing]
The power of your work,
it comes from your hunger.
So don't let this get in your head
and cause you to lose that.
[chuckles]
[Mrs. Richmond] You've become quite the collector.
[Steve chuckles] Yeah.
He completed this one shortly after we met.
Stevie, I hope you're not expecting me to say
think about it. There is nothing to think about.
If you get the offer, you take it.
-Period. -Mom.
Trust your mother when I say
you don't want to put anyone first
who will never do the same for you, hmm?
[footsteps]
[door opens]
[door closes]
You never told me how the interview in Chicago went.
It went well, I guess.
I'm just not sure if it's right for me, you know?
Right now.
What do you think?
-What do I think? -Uh-hmm.
It's your dream firm, right?
It is a pretty big deal, yeah.
I would take it.
You would take it?
I mean, yeah.
It's an opportunity of a lifetime.
That's what you've been waiting for, right?
[scribbling]
[crickets chirping]
Sweats, babe?
Stop.
Fine.
[clears throat]
You can't just show up and expect things to be cool.
What you mean just show up?
-Isaiah, you're never here. -[scoffs]
And when you are here, you're not here.
I finally got a chance to break through.
And I've been working towards this my entire life.
Years.
You know, how fucking consuming that shit is,
honestly?
And what have you cared about that deeply, Stevie, for real?
What have I cared about?
How can you even ask me that?
Look, I can't fuck this shit up.
I ain't got peoples with money to fall back on.
Fuck you.
Word?
Do you even want this?
The fuck you mean do I still want this?
I'm here, right?
Shit.
I mean, come on, Stevie.
You're the one with your own life plans, remember?
By the way, where the fuck do I fit in 'em?
You're not the only one with dreams.
What's that supposed to mean, huh?
What, I don't support your dreams now, Stevie?
Is that what you saying?
I'm taking the position in Chicago.
When were you gonna tell me, huh?
And why the fuck you ask for my opinion if you already
-made your mind up? -I'm telling you now.
-[Isaiah] You're telling me now? -Uh-hmm.
Huh. Man.
[sighs]
The thing is I'm probably the last one to know, huh?
Huh?
[scoffs] I bet your mom is real fucking ecstatic.
Get out.
What?
Just leave.
Yeah. That's right.
[scoffs] Yeah. That's right.
It is your house.
-[Stevie] Uh-hmm. -Uh-hmm.
[door slams shut]
[dramatic music playing]
Well, I'm not gloating anything.
It is that beautiful.
Oh, I can't wait for you to see it in person.
Very well.
Yeah.
Talk soon.
[sighs]
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Okay. Okay.
Now, we need to increase your output.
Now, if you can produce 20
or 30 paintings every year,
then we can secure placement
in collections all around the world.
We need to start thinking international.
-Isaiah, are you listening? -[mellow music playing]
[upbeat music playing]
[Nick] You know, I was in the neighborhood,
saw your truck, so I was like,
"Let me stop in on young."
[chuckles]
Damn, it's been a minute.
What's good, dawg? What's the word?
[Nick] Uh, I saw you in the city paper.
Big shit. Oh.
It's wild shit, right?
[laughter]
[Nick] Yo, I'm really happy for you, man.
I'm glad your art is paying off.
I always knew it would.
Thanks, man.
[Nick] Yo, why don't we get out of here, man?
Let's go hit U street, go get a couple of beers or something.
We gotta catch up.
My bad, man.
You know how it is.
Just lost in it.
-[chuckles] -Yeah.
[Isaiah] How about next weekend
when I get back from Chicago?
[Nick] Chicago?
[Isaiah] Yeah.
Got a quick little trip.
-You know how it goes. -[Nick] Yeah.
[mellow music playing]
You still ain't talked to her, huh?
Nah.
Hey, so I see you're busy finishing up
so I'ma let you get to it.
Word. Look, man, uh,
-I appreciate you coming by. -[Nick] Yeah.
Of course, man.
Come here, man.
Love you, bro.
Always.
I'ma hit you.
[woman] I saw Chocolate City in New York
and it blew my mind.
Oh, beautiful work.
[Isaiah] Thank you. Thank you very much.
Thank you guys for coming. Enjoy yourselves.
Nice to meet you.
Isaiah. Thank you.
Wow. [chuckles]
That's nice.
Very beautiful.
So what you think?
-It's beautiful. -Oh.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming.
[Ahmad] Everything all right?
-Nice to meet you. -[Stevie] Yeah.
Yeah. I'm good. Just, um…
[clears throat]
Stevie.
[chuckles] Isaiah.
How you doing?
I'm good.
Yeah. [chuckles]
-How are you? -Good.
I'm good. Can't complain.
Well…
[Ahmad] Hi.
I'm Ahmad.
Ahmad, this is, um, Isaiah Maxwell.
Um, one of the artists.
Oh, excellent.
-Nice to meet you. -Hey. Congratulations.
Thank you.
How do you two know each other?
-We-- -Old friends.
-Yeah. Old friends. -[Ahmad] Cool.
Thank you for coming.
Enjoy the rest of the show, um, Stevie.
It was really good to see you.
Uh-hmm.
[Isaiah] Ahmad.
[mellow music playing]
[Isaiah] Hey.
Stevie, it's, uh--it's me.
It was really good to see you.
Look, uh, my second solo show is in DC in a few weeks
and I'd really love--
really love for you to be there.
There's something I want you to see.
You know, I was hoping maybe we could,
uh, you know, catch up, talk,
whatever.
Yeah, so, you know, let me know.
Call me back.
[mellow music playing]
[singer] ♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪
♪ Needed some Ricolas ♪
♪ Stepped in CVS… ♪
Thanks.
[singer] ♪ Saw you in the corner ♪
♪ I was looking a mess… ♪
[chuckles]
How you doing?
I'm good. I'm good.
I didn't think you'd come.
Are you saying you wish I didn't?
[Isaiah] I'm saying I'm happy you did.
-It's good to see you. -It's good to see you too.
I read your interview.
-In The New York Times. -[chuckles]
I'm no good at all that. [laughs]
It's a little weird.
[Stevie] The role of a Black artist
is the same as a Black teacher
or a Black lawyer…
to challenge.
[chuckles]
-You fucking with me? -[Steve laughs]
-[Isaiah] It's not funny. -No.
It was a great interview.
Great.
Can I ask you something?
Yeah.
Are you happy?
Don't ask me that.
Can I ask you something else?
[chuckles]
-You're on a roll. -[Isaiah chuckles]
You have plans for tonight?
No.
Not at all.
["I Put A Spell On You" playing]
♪ I put a spell on you ♪
♪ Because you're mine ♪
♪ You better stop the things you do ♪
♪ I ain't lyin' ♪
♪ You know I can't stand it ♪
♪ You're runnin' around ♪
♪ You know better daddy ♪
♪ I can't stand it ♪
♪ 'Cause you put me down ♪
♪ I put a spell on you ♪
♪ Because you're mine ♪
♪ You're mine ♪
♪ Mine ♪
I've missed you.
I love you.
[chuckles]
[Isaiah] I missed this.
[chuckles]
[phone ringing]
[Stevie] Where are you going?
Lay with me.
You know I would if I could.
[Stevie] You can.
This is Isaiah.
I, uh--I'd like that painting
to be on a wall by itself, actually.
Yeah. I mean, maybe we can mount it
on the opposite wall. Yeah.
What's up?
[Stevie] What's up?
Where are you going?
I thought we were gonna spend the day together?
[Stevie] I thought so too.
All right.
I'm almost done so just give me a second.
I, um… [clears throat]
I gotta go.
Come on, Stevie. You can't just wait a minute?
We just had an amazing night together
you're just gonna leave like that?
Tell me you don't still feel something.
Of course, I still feel something.
[Isaiah] Okay.
-It's not gonna go away. -[Isaiah] Okay.
Then what's the problem?
[Stevie] If you had asked me to stay,
I never would have left.
Stay.
I want you to stay.
I'm so in love with you,
okay?
I'm so in love with you, okay?
Come here.
Stevie?
[door opens]
[door closes]
[sighs]
[crickets chirping]
[Mrs. Richmond] Are you going to tell me what's going on?
What do you mean?
Well, let's see.
You show up out of the blue.
It's not a holiday or my birthday.
-[chuckles] -You never just pop up.
That's not your style.
I just missed home.
That's all.
Sometimes people are only in our lives
for a season.
We have to learn
to appreciate that time we had
and what it taught us.
[dramatic music playing]
Once upon a time, before your father,
I was seeing a young man.
We were in love.
Ma.
But it became very clear he wasn't ready for me,
and I had to decide
if I was going to wait for him or move on.
I don't think I'll ever forget that love I felt.
And if I could do it over again,
I would still fall in love.
No one can take it away from you.
-[Stevie] I'm so happy for you. -Thank you.
Hi.
How you doing?
[indistinct chatter]
You okay?
I'm good. Yeah.
You look wonderful.
You look wonderful, as always.
[indistinct chatter]
[dramatic music playing]
Hey.
Isaiah, excuse me.
I wanna introduce you to someone please.
-Come on. -See you in a second.
Yeah.
Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[dramatic music playing]