Miss Juneteenth (2020) Movie Script
1
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies
Of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies
Let it resound
Loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song
Full of the faith that
the dark past has taught us
Sing a song
full of the hope
That the present
has brought us
Facing the rising sun
Of our new day begun
Let us march on
Till victory is won
I will never get over seeing
Miss Juneteenth cleaning toilets.
You damn right.
Yeah. Betty Ray,
finish up them decorations,
get the bar ready.
- Here.
- Thank you.
You're welcome.
You got work to do.
What you getting dressed up for?
I gotta take Kai
to sign up for the pageant.
You be back here before it pick up in here.
You understand?
Mmm-hmm.
Thank you.
Mmm-hmm.
I like that hair color.
Well, he always
running off to some domino game.
You practically
running this bar.
Betty Ray.
- Mmm.
- How do I look?
Girl, with that pretty face...
If I had that,
you couldn't tell me nothing.
Look at that. Aw.
I wish he would
take that down.
And let
his customers forget
they're being served
by a beauty queen?
Child, please.
Mmm-hmm.
Fine.
What?
- What, did you make it?
- Finally.
$800.52.
Ooh! All them tips!
Good for you, Turquoise.
Good for you.
Sometimes we women take it on
ourselves, don't we?
Mmm.
Get out. Get.
Ooh! Shit.
Well, hey, there, beautiful.
To what do I owe
this special occasion?
Getting all dressed up
and coming to see me.
I'm about to take Kai
to the sign up.
I ain't seen
them women in years.
Well, you look good as hell.
I got a shift late tonight so
I'm gonna need you to watch Kai.
Mmm.
I mean,
we're pretty backed up.
I'm gonna be here till late.
Hey, listen,
you want me to help out...
I gotta be here.
Imma make it up to you.
Okay.
Bounce that
Work more
Bounce that
Work more
Bounce that, bounce that
Work more
Me, too.
Give it to me Give it
to me Give it to me
You're gonna
let me come over?
Mmm.
You know my mama
ain't gonna let you.
I don't know.
I was gonna walk.
I don't know why you got on
all that makeup anyway.
It's not like
it's Miss America.
No, it's not.
It's Miss Juneteenth.
Mama... stop worrying
about them.
You look good.
Okay. Let's go in there.
Young ladies.
we must remember
the reason for this pageant.
Juneteenth is our holiday,
where we recognize
when the slaves of Texas
finally found out
they were free.
Two long years after Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation
of 1863.
The date was June 19th, 1865,
now known as Juneteenth.
So, you see, ladies,
not only will you represent
your beautiful selves,
but our history as well.
And now, our reigning
Miss Juneteenth
Sonia Cobert.
As the winner
of Miss Juneteenth,
you will receive
a full scholarship
to any historically black
institution of your choice.
Sonia has chosen
Texas Southern University
to attend in the fall.
We are so proud of you, Sonia.
You could show
a little enthusiasm.
Can I have my phone back?
Yeah.
Turquoise.
What a pleasant surprise.
- And this must be your daughter.
- Mmm-hmm.
A Miss Juneteenth
hopeful, I presume.
Kai.
She's so very excited.
Well, we will ensure
that she is transformed.
We strive
to uphold the tradition
of creating successful
young ladies.
One of my greatest regrets is that
you didn't get to crown the winner
and take your final walk
as the reigning queen.
What a thrill it would be
to see your daughter take hers.
- Beautiful.
- Thank you, Mrs. Washington.
- Please sign in here.
- Yes.
Turquoise Jones...
is that you?
I haven't seen you
since the pageant.
It slipped my mind
that you have a daughter old
enough to be in the pageant.
- How old are you?
- Fourteen. About to be 15.
"About to be."
How wonderful
that you are looking
to replicate your success.
And I know how important
that scholarship is,
like it was for you.
Now, if she's accepted,
she'll need to maintain
a 3.5 GPA,
represent herself well
in the community
and attend
all rehearsals, okay?
Mmm-hmm.
Good luck to you both.
Yes.
Come on.
What's her problem?
I beat her.
Where's your homework?
Last day of school
is next week.
You better hope your grades
turn out right.
Mama, I'm old enough
to stay home by myself.
Um...
Imma bring you a plate
in an hour
so you'll be hungry by then.
Get all that work done.
Don't come out
till I come get you.
Come over to my place...
Good on you!
Give me that!
- Give me that!
- Y'all need to take it outside.
No, we good, Turquoise.
Yeah, we good.
No messing my house now.
Yes, ma'am.
Your wish is my command
If you let me get it
I'll see you again...
Y'all all right?
And this, I guarantee
Let me get you a potion
to what I mean...
What do you need?
Two Buds and a Miller Lite
for the rowdy niggas outside.
Girl, do you like it?
Like that?
Mmm.
From the back
Girl, I like
getting it and hitting it
From the back
I got rose petals
on the floor
Thank you.
Oh, I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
That good ol'
country kind of girl
That good ol'
country kind of girl
Yeah, yeah
I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
The kind who knows
how to rock my world...
- See you later.
- Salute.
I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
That good ol'
country kind of girl
That good ol'
country kind of girl
Last song.
Finish your drink, babe.
Wednesday, Thursday
Friday, Saturday
Until the morning light
Nasty ass cigarettes.
What did I tell you
about these cigarettes?
You scared
the hell out of me.
What, you thought I was gonna
let anything happen to you?
No, God.
Where you been?
I went down to the
game room for a minute.
Mmm. Mmm-hmm.
Just one more time...
Ah.
No. Stop.
Just one more time
Ooh
Let's find
a place to unwind...
I can't get you out
of my head.
You're mine.
And I'm yours.
Just one more time
Ooh
God, I'm losing my mind
Each time I look at your face
from the rays of the sunshine
Just one more time
Ooh
Let's find a place
to unwind
Each time I'm shook
by the look in your eyes
That are so fine
Uh-uh.
That skirt needs
to be knee length.
Mama, you stay
in booty shorts.
I ain't 14.
But everybody
be wearing these.
Everybody wears these.
Somebody from
Juneteenth committee
can see you
dressed like that.
Go change.
Did you eat?
Mmm-hmm. Grits.
- I'm gonna miss my bus.
- Mmm.
Bye, Daddy.
I told you
to park down the street.
- You ain't gonna put air on?
- You don't.
- Give me that.
- Mmm.
Give me that.
I'm gonna do right by y'all
this time, Turq.
Junior bumped me up
to full-time.
You ain't fixing cars
in the yard no more?
It'll be good for her to see
her mama and daddy together.
You got something
for her account?
It's a little
short right now.
- Turq. Turq.
- Stop! Wait. Stop.
Turq, quit playing.
Turq, quit playing.
Mmm.
Now, one, two, three. $4.
Is this why we're here?
I've been holding it down
a long time around here.
Babe...
that's not how I meant it.
You know, an $800 dress just
don't make no damn sense to me.
Where did you get
yours from?
- The goodwill.
- And you won.
I don't want her
in no thrift shop dress...
thinking she less than them.
I want her in the best
when she wins.
You always had
big dreams.
I'm gonna make sure that
she's somethin' that we ain't.
She my dream now.
I hustled hard for these.
When you gonna
put 'em back on?
When I'm sure.
I wish I could afford
to bring you on full-time.
Business has been slow.
The good news is the loan finally
came through for the new building.
Look at you.
It must be nice
having your own...
Ain't no white folks
giving me no loans.
Black man said
he saw potential.
They know a good investment
when they see one.
Funeral home's always gonna
have good business.
I wish I could have found me
something to run.
I always thought
at some point I would,
but, you know, time...
get away from you when you
trying to pay the rent.
Thank you.
When we get the new place,
uh, work'll pick up.
Hopefully we can
bring you on my regular.
I hate to see you
working so hard.
You need someone
to take you off your feet.
How's Darlene doing?
We broke up.
Why?
She ain't you.
That's a dang shame.
That girl would've
drank your bath water.
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on...
They look like
they dancing for dollars.
It's a competition, Mama.
I ain't gonna have my daughter
out there dancin' like that.
Anyway...
You should be working
on your poem.
You got in.
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
So, that clicking sound
you heard is gone.
You ain't gonna have to
worry about that no more.
Move.
Imma need some help.
Her registration fees,
an extra $400.
- She got in?
- I told you she would.
This here
is for the registration
plus a little something
for yourself.
Um, I'll put the extra
on Kai's birthday cake.
You wanna come with me
to get it?
I'm going fishing
with Catfish in the morning.
Imma take her
somewhere special on her day.
If you do real good,
you can go to Spelman.
The women coming out
of there do big things.
Ain't that a girls' school?
Remember you took me
to State Fair Classic
and they did
the battle of the bands?
Mmm.
When them dancing
dolls came out...
They it tore up.
If I got to go to college,
I wanna go somewhere like that.
Or I can go to Prairie View
like you did.
You worry
about the wrong thing.
If I make the dance team,
I can get me a scholarship,
- like you want me to.
- Mmm.
But them girls
did dance in high school,
so they got experience.
Ain't no school handing out
no full ride for that.
I need you focused
on your studies.
Once you get there and you've
been doing okay for a while...
maybe.
This one
is very special.
Top of the line
for the pageant girls.
Young lady,
do you like it?
It's beautiful.
How long will it take
for the alterations?
At best, a few weeks.
And we don't have
layaway here.
I'll put down
the deposit today
and pay for the dress
in full at pick-up.
I'll rush
to get it ready.
Thank you.
Are you ready to go
tell it on the mountain?
How many of you ready
to give your lives to Christ?
Everyone, in God first
confess your sins.
And all will be all right.
Go tell it on the mountain!
Yes, Lord.
Thank you, Jesus!
Hallelujah.
Yes, thank you, Lord!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Lord!
Thank you!
Yes!
Yes, Lord. Bless me, Jesus!
Hallelujah.
You let me know if you need any help with
that program 'cause I'm here for you.
I will.
You're such an angel,
Sister Charlotte.
I don't know what I'd do
without you.
Just doin' what God
has asked us all to do...
serve.
- Amen.
- Mmm.
I want you to meet my
daughter and my granddaughter.
I didn't know
you had a daughter.
Why aren't you in church
like your mama?
I've been trying to get her.
I'm trying. Baby steps.
Gotta start somewhere.
Amen.
Hey, Granny.
I've been trying
to reach you,
get you down here.
- You here for service?
- No.
What you doing disturbing
my worship time for?
Mama...
Um, can you watch
Kai for me?
I gotta pick up some
extra shifts at the bar.
So, you can do
that devil's work?
I'm doing the best I can.
Saving up for her dress
has me a little short.
Pipe dreams.
You won that thing.
What good did it do you?
This is your child,
not mine.
I'll be here till late
helping Pastor.
Let's go.
Thanks for the coffee, girl.
Mmm. You're working
on your poem.
What if I danced
for my talent?
Mmm-mmm.
I won with that poem.
I can win with this.
Turn that TV off.
Let's practice.
Watch them eyes. Come on.
My name is Kai Jones,
and I'll be performing Phenomenal Woman
by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Now, you ain't gonna be
able to use that paper up there.
"Pretty women wonder
where my secret lies."
Come on.
Be serious.
"I'm not cute
"or built to suit
a fashion model's size."
"I'm not cute
"or built to suit
a fashion model's size."
Pageant ain't that far away.
- Well, then you do it.
- I did.
"I am a woman
"phenomenally.
"Phenomenal woman, that's me."
Mama!
An alligator, Ronnie?
Look, the shit ain't funny.
The thing came straight at me and
Catfish with that mouth all wide
looking like...
I don't know.
Turq, these white folks
acting like that thing
couldn't have
swallowed us whole.
Talking about the nature law,
saying you can't shoot
no damn gator there.
Thing had to be,
like, 13 feet long.
You know I ain't been in jail
since I was young and wildly.
They're talking about
making me pay this shit off
in the fields.
I work it off in the fields
like we back in the slave days.
You gotta get me
out of here, Turq.
How am I gonna do that?
With them hustling
this is gonna be like...
We're talking about,
like, 700 just to get me out.
And then, at a later date,
they're talking about,
like, $5,800 in payments
for the gators or something.
Where am I gonna get
that kind of money from?
I just went full-time
on that job.
And if I don't show up
on Monday...
I'm gonna make it back.
I promise.
Dessert fork.
Very nice.
Water glass.
Very nice, ladies.
Ladies, you must always
use proper etiquette
at the dinner table.
Now, we're going to see
who's been studying
their handbook.
It's time to demonstrate
a little more
of what you've learnt.
So...
pick up your salad fork.
Your soup spoons.
Stop copying me.
Your dinner knife.
That is your salad knife,
not your dinner knife.
One would surely not eat
the main course with that.
Ladies. Ladies.
Kai...
it's imperative that you learn
these things for yourself.
Miss Juneteenth is here to
prepare you for the future,
to reach your highest heights,
and I know you can do this.
Ladies...
white wine glass.
Kai? Kai?
You hear me calling you?
You didn't pay it?
I called them.
- Those bastards.
- But did you pay them?
I had to pay
your pageant fees.
Look, 14 don't make you grown.
Fifteen.
Hey, my battery
about to die.
I got something for you
when you decide to come out.
Okay.
Mmm.
Happy birthday, baby.
Let's just go out.
- The truck stopped.
- Wait.
They ain't gonna let
Daddy out?
Everybody been
texting me about it.
We're having
"a let there be light" party.
Mmm-hmm.
Kai.
Mmm. Mmm! Mmm!
Mmm. No, no, no, no!
Stop. No!
Be careful.
My girl.
Okay.
It's my birthday
so I get to wear the crown.
Introducing
Ms. Kai Marie Jones,
queen of it all.
Mama, don't I look good?
It's for the queen.
Yes, ma'am.
- It's pretty.
- Yeah.
- How much did you spend on this?
- Oh.
Why didn't you put it
on the lights?
Why didn't I put it
on the lights?
Mmm-hmm.
I'll take care of it.
I'm picking up
some extra shifts.
That is why you're gonna have
to stay with Ms. Burke tonight.
- It's my birthday.
- Mmm.
The lady of honor...
...says she sees things?
- Not real things.
- Don't start.
Come on.
I'm gonna wipe it.
Mmm. Go wash up.
Come on, come on.
Go, go, go.
- Okay.
- Gonna make me late.
Hey, don't I know you?
Yes. I was Miss Juneteenth.
Oh, here.
Mom?
And hit the floor
It's BYOB...
Come on.
I feel
I feel like shaking something
Whoo!
Shake something
Shake,
shake Shake something Shake, shake
Hey, I'm feeling...
Big 15.
Got that fire
for your birthday.
Been messin' around
with these beats.
You could use this one
for them tryouts.
Come on.
Thought you were
off tonight.
Mama. Stop.
Stop.
Come on.
It's just water.
Was I a good mother?
Is that your liquor talking?
I know you think
I was hard on you.
You made it through.
I wasn't surprised
when you won that crown.
You got your looks from me.
Momma...
I won that pageant
'cause I worked hard.
It takes more than looks
to survive.
Not in this world.
Not if you know
how to use 'em.
Looks is all a woman needs.
- Get up.
- Huh?
I'm out here working
like a dog for you
and you're sneaking
boys up in here?
He just brought me
something for my birthday.
Mmm.
Fourteen. Fifteen barely.
I'm not a baby.
- I ain't gonna be who you want me...
- I will...
Hi, Mr. Willy.
Oh, my goodness.
Welcome
to the Juneteenth Museum.
Thank you, sir.
Ladies. Ladies, come on.
Now, when Lincoln
freed the slaves,
Texas did not mind him.
As a matter of fact,
other slave states
would send their slaves
to Texas.
Now, approximately 30% of
Texas population were slaves.
So, you can imagine
how much money
the slave owners would lose
if they let them go.
Now, Major General
Gordon Granger
made it to Galveston and he read
the Proclamation of Freedom.
General order number three
declaring slaves free in Texas.
And there was a joyful
celebration in the streets.
This way.
Here we have
our first wall,
and over here we have
our Miss Juneteenth wall.
Oh.
Ladies.
Our former
Miss Juneteenth winners
have gone on
to great things.
Chandra Mobley,
famed civil rights attorney.
Mmm. Dr. Minny Adams,
neurosurgeon.
Celeste Fulton,
wife of Congressman Fulton.
So, you can see
we are expecting greatness.
Thank you.
Take a look, ladies.
Okay, so like this.
You gotta go like this.
- Okay. Go one, two, three. Lift that up.
- Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Throw it up. And catch it.
Yeah.
Okay, from the top.
You got it.
Do we say something when we catch it?
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
- Right, left, catch it.
- Catch it.
Throw it up.
Yeah!
Come on, Mama.
Uh-huh.
We'll go from step back.
Step back.
One, two, three.
And then, hit.
Huh!
- And then...
- You gotta say...
Yeah!
- Okay, come on.
- Yeah!
So, lean.
Come on, Mama.
Go right, left.
Right. Throw it up.
And catch it.
Yeah!
Oh, wait a minute.
"Yeah" as you catch.
Okay, come on.
We need
a new door on this cooler,
a stall
in the women's restroom,
dance floor
lifting in places.
You and your ambitions.
Child, folks
don't come down here
for no five-star restaurant.
They know
it's a hole in the wall.
It don't always have to be.
Game fishing
in the nature's preserve.
Should have took his behind out of
the hedge just like everybody else.
And you got him out.
I want Kai to have
both her parents.
I ain't have that.
You a beauty...
and you're smart
to boot...
you just make
bad ass man choices.
You're gonna make me
burn these ribs.
Hurry up and finish stocking.
Bar ain't running,
bar don't make no money.
I'm already rushin'.
I gotta pay
on this power bill,
then run by Bacon's.
You know
they movin' soon.
I warned him
about talking money
from them white folk.
The one he had
was just fine.
Nothing wrong
with trying to do better.
- That's the American dream.
- American dream?
Ain't no American dream
for black folks.
We gotta hold on
to what we got.
Look, it may not be as fancy as you
want it around here, Miss Juneteenth,
but it's mine.
I own it.
Free and clear.
And the white folks
down at the city
have been trying
to run me off for years,
but I got my papers.
And when you get yourself
something worth holding on to,
you make sure can't nobody
take it from you.
You hear me?
He going out
the way he wanted.
We selling premiums
like you wouldn't believe.
I'm making sure we give folks
the homegoing of their dreams.
That's how it should be.
How's that pageant
going with Kai?
- Like pulling teeth.
- That's why y'all different.
You put your everything
into that pageant.
I was proud of you
when you won.
Yeah. That crown don't make
some magical life
where all your dreams
come true.
Good to see you,
Reverend Patterson.
How's that girl of yours?
Growing like a weed.
Too grown for 15.
Lord...
I remember
when you were 15.
Bacon chasin' after you
even way back then.
Daddy, ain't you got
some embalming to do?
Loosening up my knees.
When Granddaddy started out,
there were no black
morticians in Fort Worth.
He started in a little home
on the south side,
moved here.
Now, we gonna be
in over 10,000 square feet.
Mmm.
It looks like you're ready.
You're really making
a way for yourself.
I learned how to make
it happen from you.
You always had a plan.
You're meant for more.
Could be the first lady
at this funeral home.
Bacon.
All you do for Kai,
I can take care of all of that and more.
You're too good of a woman
to be living the way you do.
What way is that?
I make it work.
I need to catch my bus.
Can't be as bad as me.
Your mama ain't making you do
something you don't want to.
I don't even like
standing up there,
acting all stiff,
saying that poem
over and over.
All I'm saying is
somebody making me do something
I don't wanna do...
I'd figure
I make up my own.
Damn. Who died?
I mean, really.
Only if it was candy coated.
Hold up.
Is that your mama?
I better not ever see you
at my house again.
You understand?
Get in the car.
I told you about that boy.
He was just sitting there.
Whose car, thing...
Whatever this is.
Bacon let me borrow it so I can get
your daddy to fix the truck again.
Where did you
get that from?
Daddy. On my birthday.
And where's the one
I brought you?
In my bag.
Why you gotta
pick me up in it?
It's a ride
with a full tank of gas.
Stop being ungrateful.
Why couldn't you let me
walk home?
Everybody saw me.
You always embarrass me.
Brianna's mama said
you were a stripper...
...and you'd be
getting on the men.
That you're Miss Juneteenth.
I ain't sorry for putting
food on the table.
You could have done
something else.
And you don't know
what was going on.
I'm trying to make it so that you
ain't ever desperate like that.
Baby, I know it's hard to
understand, but we're...
Come on.
Should I deuce him?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah!
Yeah!
- Down the hole.
- Damn.
Yeah, give me that.
Yup, give me that.
Fifteen. Thank you very much.
Thank you, thank you.
Pleasure doing business
with you.
See, my baby don't play.
Here.
I'm glad you came out
to hang with me.
Take that.
Put that on your dance team.
- For real?
- Yeah, for real.
You think it's fake?
Hell, now you're
over here cheatin'.
Man, nigga,
say I'm cheatin' again.
See what the fuck's
gonna happen.
I'll crack
your motherfucking skull.
Step out from here.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- Daddy.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- Y'all cut that shit out.
Y'all are scaring
my baby girl.
Let's go. Come on.
It's all good, baby.
We all good.
Uh, Mama on her way.
You told her we here?
Now, you know dang well you ain't
supposed to have her up here.
Oh, come on.
What you
driving this for?
Hey, she was with me.
She... Wait, wait, wait.
She needs street smarts
just like she needs
them classes on how to eat.
Put on your seatbelt.
Hey,
don't be mad at me.
Here, here, here, here.
Put that on your light bill.
I already put enough down on it
for them to put it back on,
but I'll take it.
I even made enough
to pay you back.
Well, where's the rest?
'Cause if you got
it from in there
I know it ain't
gonna last long.
- Don't play.
- You know I can't carry
that kind of money
on me, girl.
She need to have it on
the day after tomorrow.
All right, I ain't playing.
I'll be there.
- At 6:00.
- 6:00.
I'll have it there at 4:00.
Put that money
in that man's hand.
Um, thank you, Mama.
I'll get her
as soon as I get off.
I told you
it's no problem.
Glad to have this young one
in church with her gran.
Pick her up from the house.
Okay. Mama.
No drinking tonight. Okay?
I'd never put
the child at risk.
Come meet my prayer partners
real quick before you go.
I'm late. I can't.
Just take a second.
Just take a second.
Pastor wants us
to start bringing
our families to Bible study.
I wanted us
to come as a family.
Oh, yes, Lord Jesus,
someone gonna come.
Come in the circle.
Pray to Jesus.
Yes, right over here.
Yes, Lord.
Let's hold hands here.
Father God,
thank you for delivering my daughter
and granddaughter to your house.
Father God, Lord,
they are in desperate need of prayer.
So, we come together to anoint
them in the name of Jesus.
Father God, to cast out
all demonic spirits, Father God.
That you will
touch them, Father,
from the top of their head to the
bottom of their feet, Father God.
We know that
you're able, Lord.
- Let's go, Kai. Kai. Kai.
- Deliver them, Father. Deliver them.
Lose the demon out of them
in the name of Jesus!
In the name...
- Lord! Don't run from the Lord.
- It's all right, Sister Charlotte.
You tried, you tried.
Don't run from the Lord.
Thank you, Lord.
What's wrong with Granny?
How dare you embarrass me?
I am trying to help you.
You need Jesus.
I don't think Jesus
is what you're offering.
Don't blast me.
I am not responsible
for how you turned out.
So, the way I turned out had nothing
do with you drinking all the time?
Granny, stop!
- Come on.
- Turquoise.
Baby.
Turquoise, I'm...
Oh, Jesus.
Make sure you smile.
I can see the concentration
on your face.
"I'm a woman
"phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
"that's me."
Miss Jones,
I want that poem memorized immediately.
It was lovely seeing her doing
the same poem you did.
I remember
what an orator you were
and how beautifully
you performed it.
I owe that to you.
You introduced me
to Dr. Angelou's words.
That and pay
for my pageant fees.
I had high hopes
for you, Turquoise.
I wish I'd gotten
to you sooner.
Can't change the past,
I suppose.
Of course not.
We just have to focus
on the future.
All I smell
is burnt hair.
This is just
for your dress rehearsal.
You need to sign this
for me.
You need some help
around here,
and I can pay for stuff,
like dancing.
I worked when I was 15
'cause I had to.
You barely made it this year without
having to go to summer school.
Mama, you ain't even
finished school.
I don't even know why
I have to do Juneteenth.
Didn't do nothing for you.
When I was a kid,
I used to go
to the pageant every year,
dreaming that one day
I'd be up there.
And the girls that won
looked like they were floating.
And they had all this
hope and promise.
I felt that when I won.
Like, I mean,
I was walking into a new life.
I still didn't believe
I actually won.
A girl from where I'm from
didn't win Miss Juneteenth.
That scholarship made me feel
like I finally had a chance.
My life could have
been different if, um...
If I would have
stuck with it.
That's what I want for you.
Oh, child.
Come on now.
That's the last one.
- Oh, Lord.
- Here we go.
Solomon, says he's tired
of me working.
He's gonna take me
off of my feet.
You're gonna spend
the rest of your days
pushing his old behind around.
His old behind gets
a Social Security check.
Ain't no retirement
at Wayman's.
You just work
till your legs fall off.
Wayman's.
Boy, stop playing.
What you mean?
Uh-uh. Uh-uh.
Oh, Lord. Okay, okay.
All right. Come on, Turq.
- We gotta go. Now.
- What's going on?
We're doing
everything we can.
With a heart attack like this,
it's really up to the patient.
Call your daddy again.
I have, like, 100 times.
Why don't you try?
You think I would have
asked you if I hadn't?
I need a favor.
I don't have
the rest of the money,
but I can put
some more down on it.
I told you, we don't do credit
and we don't do layaway.
You see, I just
need it for tonight.
I can bring the dress back
in the morning.
I rushed to get it ready.
It's 6:00.
I close at 6:00.
I already paid the deposit.
Mrs. Cee, please.
Together. And turn in sync.
Lovely. Lovely, ladies.
To your positions.
Watch your spacing.
Lovely.
Beautiful smiles, ladies.
Lovely turn.
In sync. Lovely.
Nicely done.
And next, moving on.
Young lady, your turn.
- What?
- Stay.
What the hell are you doing?
Where were you?
And where's your car?
You told me
to park down the street.
Hmm.
What you gonna do
with that?
Where's the money?
You know I had to pay
some of that restitution.
We waited three hours.
What good imma be
if I'm back in jail, huh?
All them girls
in their pretty dresses,
and she had to walk
the fucking stage in her shorts.
She don't even
want to do this.
No sense in spending
all that money on her dress.
My money.
Where's the rest?
Turq.
My homeboy...
he put his body shop
up for sale.
He throwing in his tools
and everything.
I couldn't pass that up.
I could open up
my own custom shop.
Think about all the things
I can do.
Once that take off...
I'll get her that dress.
And I'm gonna
help you, too.
I just need...
I just need...
Just gotta give me
just a little time.
Turq, just enough time
to pay you back.
Imma pay you back.
Daddy, just go.
Let her be.
Mama, get up.
Come on, get up.
Let's practice.
We can take
these old ruffles off
and put some more
sequins on it.
"Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed.
"I don't shout or jump about
"or have to talk real loud.
"When you see me passing,
it ought to make you proud."
We're having that dance
for Wayman tonight.
All the proceeds
go to his medical bills.
Hey, little lady.
Go put your dress on.
I'll be fine.
I promise.
I won't do nothing.
You should go.
Mmm.
Okay, fine,
I'll go next door.
Okay.
I'll walk you over there.
Check, check, check.
Everybody, what's up?
Y'all put in the bucket
what ya'll can,
give a hand
to Mr. Wayman.
As good as he's been to us,
let's be good to him.
Let's hope that it will take
more than a heart attack
to shut him down,
as bad as he is.
Gentlemen, on three. One...
We made a vow
That we'll always
be together
I'm gonna stick
to what we said
There will never be another
I see that
your bag's packed
Like you trying to go
on your way
Might as well...
I'm glad you came out.
I'm glad you picked me up.
Yeah. I mean, you know,
we do what we can.
- I mean leverage.
- I'm surprised.
Oh. Stay there, please.
Okay.
This how you gonna
do me, Turq?
- Ronnie. Ronnie.
- You're supposed to be with me!
- You're still a married woman.
- Hey, that's not really...
That's not really what?
- That's not really what?
- Leave.
- You're still a married woman.
- Leave.
Baby, I made a mistake.
Please don't do me like this.
- Ronnie, leave.
- Let's go.
What you walking
up to me like that for?
Stop, y'all. Stop!
- You gonna do something?
- Bro. Hey, hey.
Hey, man, we can't go back
to the joint for this shit, man.
Come on, bro.
- It's all right, man.
- Get in the car.
Come on, bro.
Get your ass in the car.
Let's go.
I wish you'd say something.
I don't know if it's you
or the world.
I swear some women
just don't know what they want.
Bacon.
I wanna be with you.
That's no secret.
I need to know right now
do you want that, too?
You're a good man.
I just...
I just...
I just want something
for myself.
Yeah
Ooh, baby!
I've got this feeling
Yeah
I've got this feeling
All my sexy ladies
You're so fine
Head to the dance floor
It's time to party
Yeah
Party like we used to do
Oh, yeah...
Kai!
That's my baby.
'Cause I'm gonna
show you why...
Hold your head up!
Yeah, let's do
the party rock
Oh, yeah, yeah
It's time to party
Yeah
Come on
Do the party rock
Don't just sit there
looking cool
Get up and party with me
You can take off your shoes
Welcome to the party
Oh, yeah
Yeah, let's do
the party rock
Yeah
It's time to party
Yeah
Come on
Do the party rock
Come near me.
You're in a winning dress.
You got your lines down?
Mama, I don't think...
You got this.
Turquoise Jones,
Miss Juneteenth 2004.
Excuse me.
My name is Opal Lee.
Welcome to the
Miss Juneteenth pageant.
This is
the Miss Juneteenth pageant.
Juneteenth?
I know all about Juneteenth.
In 1865...
No.
Ever lasting on
Look at me.
Look at my arms.
I have ploughed and planted
and gathered into barns,
and no man
could heed me.
And ain't I a woman?
Not even Jesus can hear me.
And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about
this thing in the head.
What's this they call it?
Intellect.
That's it, honey.
What's that got to do with
negroes' rights or with women's?
If my cup won't hold but a pint,
and yours holds a quart,
wouldn't it be mean of you not to let
me have my little half measure full?
My name is Kai Marie Jones,
and I'll be performing Phenomenal Woman.
Pretty women wonder
where my secret lie
I'm not cute or built
to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
they think I'm telling lies
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
the span of my hips
The stride of my step
the curl of my lips
I'm a woman phenomenally
Phenomenal woman, that's me
Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
it ought to make you proud
I say
it's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
the need for my care
'Cause I'm a woman
phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me
It is now time to crown
our Miss Juneteenth 2019.
The winner will wear
the crown for one year
and receive her scholarship.
She will represent
Fort Worth.
And our second runner up is...
- Carrigan Smith.
- Yes.
And our first runner up
goes to...
Mmm.
The lovely Gwen Wembry.
And now,
for our very own
Miss Juneteenth 2019 is...
Donetta Matthews!
Whoo! Donetta!
Welcome your new queen.
Oh, yes!
Mama, I'm sorry.
I know how hard you worked.
Mmm-mmm.
Nobody more sorry than me.
All this time,
I've been trying
to make you Miss Juneteenth,
but you always
Ms. Kai Marie Jones.
Queen of it all.
Now, let's go.
You're supposed to be resting.
I'm fine.
Girl, what the hell
are you doing?
I lay down for five minutes...
And you run my bar into the
ground.
Put them liquors back
so we can open up.
Can't make no money closed.
I gotta get
to the barbecue pit
- so that we can get started.
- Wayman.
What?
I gotta get
to the barbecue pit.
Come on, sit down.
I've been giving
my whole life to this bar.
When I was laid up,
thought about it
long and hard.
I'm gonna have to
go down to the city,
see what the white folks
gonna give me for her.
No. You know I could
run this thing
with my eyes closed.
I know.
But with the medical bills
piling up,
I can't afford
to keep on going.
I've thought about that, too.
Oh, no, child.
Listen, I know it's not
much of a deposit...
but we could do a split
in your favor...
till I get caught up.
Mmm-hmm.
- Mmm-hmm.
Right.
Okay. Um...
Well, I guess I should start
unboxing things.
Guess
this is yours now.
Let me tell you
about the good news
About the riverside
We're gonna hide
We're getting
low down low
So, get up
and clap your hands
I'll tell you everything
you need to know
All about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh!
- The good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
You ain't got nothing
to worry about
You ain't got
no fears to fear
Just open up your heart
And let your
worries disappear
You can let that burn down
You can stomp it
to the ground
You can put it
beneath your shoes
Oh!
- Let me tell you about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, about the good news
- Good news
- Lord, the good news
- Good news
Sister, the good news
Good news...
So, when them
dance team trials?
You ain't got
no place to hide
Come, let me tell you
about the good news
About the riverside
We're gonna hide
We're getting
low down low
So, get up
and clap your hands
I'll tell you everything
you need to know
- Oh, about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, the good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
You ain't got nothing
to worry about
You ain't got
no fears to fear
Just open up your heart
And let your
worries disappear
You can let that burn down
You can stomp it
to the ground
You can put it
beneath your shoes
Oh!
- Let me tell you about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, about the good news
- Good news
- Lord, the good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
- Oh, about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh! The good news
- Good news
- Oh, the good news
- Good news
The good news
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies
Of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies
Let it resound
Loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song
Full of the faith that
the dark past has taught us
Sing a song
full of the hope
That the present
has brought us
Facing the rising sun
Of our new day begun
Let us march on
Till victory is won
I will never get over seeing
Miss Juneteenth cleaning toilets.
You damn right.
Yeah. Betty Ray,
finish up them decorations,
get the bar ready.
- Here.
- Thank you.
You're welcome.
You got work to do.
What you getting dressed up for?
I gotta take Kai
to sign up for the pageant.
You be back here before it pick up in here.
You understand?
Mmm-hmm.
Thank you.
Mmm-hmm.
I like that hair color.
Well, he always
running off to some domino game.
You practically
running this bar.
Betty Ray.
- Mmm.
- How do I look?
Girl, with that pretty face...
If I had that,
you couldn't tell me nothing.
Look at that. Aw.
I wish he would
take that down.
And let
his customers forget
they're being served
by a beauty queen?
Child, please.
Mmm-hmm.
Fine.
What?
- What, did you make it?
- Finally.
$800.52.
Ooh! All them tips!
Good for you, Turquoise.
Good for you.
Sometimes we women take it on
ourselves, don't we?
Mmm.
Get out. Get.
Ooh! Shit.
Well, hey, there, beautiful.
To what do I owe
this special occasion?
Getting all dressed up
and coming to see me.
I'm about to take Kai
to the sign up.
I ain't seen
them women in years.
Well, you look good as hell.
I got a shift late tonight so
I'm gonna need you to watch Kai.
Mmm.
I mean,
we're pretty backed up.
I'm gonna be here till late.
Hey, listen,
you want me to help out...
I gotta be here.
Imma make it up to you.
Okay.
Bounce that
Work more
Bounce that
Work more
Bounce that, bounce that
Work more
Me, too.
Give it to me Give it
to me Give it to me
You're gonna
let me come over?
Mmm.
You know my mama
ain't gonna let you.
I don't know.
I was gonna walk.
I don't know why you got on
all that makeup anyway.
It's not like
it's Miss America.
No, it's not.
It's Miss Juneteenth.
Mama... stop worrying
about them.
You look good.
Okay. Let's go in there.
Young ladies.
we must remember
the reason for this pageant.
Juneteenth is our holiday,
where we recognize
when the slaves of Texas
finally found out
they were free.
Two long years after Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation
of 1863.
The date was June 19th, 1865,
now known as Juneteenth.
So, you see, ladies,
not only will you represent
your beautiful selves,
but our history as well.
And now, our reigning
Miss Juneteenth
Sonia Cobert.
As the winner
of Miss Juneteenth,
you will receive
a full scholarship
to any historically black
institution of your choice.
Sonia has chosen
Texas Southern University
to attend in the fall.
We are so proud of you, Sonia.
You could show
a little enthusiasm.
Can I have my phone back?
Yeah.
Turquoise.
What a pleasant surprise.
- And this must be your daughter.
- Mmm-hmm.
A Miss Juneteenth
hopeful, I presume.
Kai.
She's so very excited.
Well, we will ensure
that she is transformed.
We strive
to uphold the tradition
of creating successful
young ladies.
One of my greatest regrets is that
you didn't get to crown the winner
and take your final walk
as the reigning queen.
What a thrill it would be
to see your daughter take hers.
- Beautiful.
- Thank you, Mrs. Washington.
- Please sign in here.
- Yes.
Turquoise Jones...
is that you?
I haven't seen you
since the pageant.
It slipped my mind
that you have a daughter old
enough to be in the pageant.
- How old are you?
- Fourteen. About to be 15.
"About to be."
How wonderful
that you are looking
to replicate your success.
And I know how important
that scholarship is,
like it was for you.
Now, if she's accepted,
she'll need to maintain
a 3.5 GPA,
represent herself well
in the community
and attend
all rehearsals, okay?
Mmm-hmm.
Good luck to you both.
Yes.
Come on.
What's her problem?
I beat her.
Where's your homework?
Last day of school
is next week.
You better hope your grades
turn out right.
Mama, I'm old enough
to stay home by myself.
Um...
Imma bring you a plate
in an hour
so you'll be hungry by then.
Get all that work done.
Don't come out
till I come get you.
Come over to my place...
Good on you!
Give me that!
- Give me that!
- Y'all need to take it outside.
No, we good, Turquoise.
Yeah, we good.
No messing my house now.
Yes, ma'am.
Your wish is my command
If you let me get it
I'll see you again...
Y'all all right?
And this, I guarantee
Let me get you a potion
to what I mean...
What do you need?
Two Buds and a Miller Lite
for the rowdy niggas outside.
Girl, do you like it?
Like that?
Mmm.
From the back
Girl, I like
getting it and hitting it
From the back
I got rose petals
on the floor
Thank you.
Oh, I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
That good ol'
country kind of girl
That good ol'
country kind of girl
Yeah, yeah
I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
The kind who knows
how to rock my world...
- See you later.
- Salute.
I need a strong woman
A strong woman, oh, yeah
That good ol'
country kind of girl
That good ol'
country kind of girl
Last song.
Finish your drink, babe.
Wednesday, Thursday
Friday, Saturday
Until the morning light
Nasty ass cigarettes.
What did I tell you
about these cigarettes?
You scared
the hell out of me.
What, you thought I was gonna
let anything happen to you?
No, God.
Where you been?
I went down to the
game room for a minute.
Mmm. Mmm-hmm.
Just one more time...
Ah.
No. Stop.
Just one more time
Ooh
Let's find
a place to unwind...
I can't get you out
of my head.
You're mine.
And I'm yours.
Just one more time
Ooh
God, I'm losing my mind
Each time I look at your face
from the rays of the sunshine
Just one more time
Ooh
Let's find a place
to unwind
Each time I'm shook
by the look in your eyes
That are so fine
Uh-uh.
That skirt needs
to be knee length.
Mama, you stay
in booty shorts.
I ain't 14.
But everybody
be wearing these.
Everybody wears these.
Somebody from
Juneteenth committee
can see you
dressed like that.
Go change.
Did you eat?
Mmm-hmm. Grits.
- I'm gonna miss my bus.
- Mmm.
Bye, Daddy.
I told you
to park down the street.
- You ain't gonna put air on?
- You don't.
- Give me that.
- Mmm.
Give me that.
I'm gonna do right by y'all
this time, Turq.
Junior bumped me up
to full-time.
You ain't fixing cars
in the yard no more?
It'll be good for her to see
her mama and daddy together.
You got something
for her account?
It's a little
short right now.
- Turq. Turq.
- Stop! Wait. Stop.
Turq, quit playing.
Turq, quit playing.
Mmm.
Now, one, two, three. $4.
Is this why we're here?
I've been holding it down
a long time around here.
Babe...
that's not how I meant it.
You know, an $800 dress just
don't make no damn sense to me.
Where did you get
yours from?
- The goodwill.
- And you won.
I don't want her
in no thrift shop dress...
thinking she less than them.
I want her in the best
when she wins.
You always had
big dreams.
I'm gonna make sure that
she's somethin' that we ain't.
She my dream now.
I hustled hard for these.
When you gonna
put 'em back on?
When I'm sure.
I wish I could afford
to bring you on full-time.
Business has been slow.
The good news is the loan finally
came through for the new building.
Look at you.
It must be nice
having your own...
Ain't no white folks
giving me no loans.
Black man said
he saw potential.
They know a good investment
when they see one.
Funeral home's always gonna
have good business.
I wish I could have found me
something to run.
I always thought
at some point I would,
but, you know, time...
get away from you when you
trying to pay the rent.
Thank you.
When we get the new place,
uh, work'll pick up.
Hopefully we can
bring you on my regular.
I hate to see you
working so hard.
You need someone
to take you off your feet.
How's Darlene doing?
We broke up.
Why?
She ain't you.
That's a dang shame.
That girl would've
drank your bath water.
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on...
They look like
they dancing for dollars.
It's a competition, Mama.
I ain't gonna have my daughter
out there dancin' like that.
Anyway...
You should be working
on your poem.
You got in.
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
Come on, come on come on,
come on come on, come on
So, that clicking sound
you heard is gone.
You ain't gonna have to
worry about that no more.
Move.
Imma need some help.
Her registration fees,
an extra $400.
- She got in?
- I told you she would.
This here
is for the registration
plus a little something
for yourself.
Um, I'll put the extra
on Kai's birthday cake.
You wanna come with me
to get it?
I'm going fishing
with Catfish in the morning.
Imma take her
somewhere special on her day.
If you do real good,
you can go to Spelman.
The women coming out
of there do big things.
Ain't that a girls' school?
Remember you took me
to State Fair Classic
and they did
the battle of the bands?
Mmm.
When them dancing
dolls came out...
They it tore up.
If I got to go to college,
I wanna go somewhere like that.
Or I can go to Prairie View
like you did.
You worry
about the wrong thing.
If I make the dance team,
I can get me a scholarship,
- like you want me to.
- Mmm.
But them girls
did dance in high school,
so they got experience.
Ain't no school handing out
no full ride for that.
I need you focused
on your studies.
Once you get there and you've
been doing okay for a while...
maybe.
This one
is very special.
Top of the line
for the pageant girls.
Young lady,
do you like it?
It's beautiful.
How long will it take
for the alterations?
At best, a few weeks.
And we don't have
layaway here.
I'll put down
the deposit today
and pay for the dress
in full at pick-up.
I'll rush
to get it ready.
Thank you.
Are you ready to go
tell it on the mountain?
How many of you ready
to give your lives to Christ?
Everyone, in God first
confess your sins.
And all will be all right.
Go tell it on the mountain!
Yes, Lord.
Thank you, Jesus!
Hallelujah.
Yes, thank you, Lord!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Lord!
Thank you!
Yes!
Yes, Lord. Bless me, Jesus!
Hallelujah.
You let me know if you need any help with
that program 'cause I'm here for you.
I will.
You're such an angel,
Sister Charlotte.
I don't know what I'd do
without you.
Just doin' what God
has asked us all to do...
serve.
- Amen.
- Mmm.
I want you to meet my
daughter and my granddaughter.
I didn't know
you had a daughter.
Why aren't you in church
like your mama?
I've been trying to get her.
I'm trying. Baby steps.
Gotta start somewhere.
Amen.
Hey, Granny.
I've been trying
to reach you,
get you down here.
- You here for service?
- No.
What you doing disturbing
my worship time for?
Mama...
Um, can you watch
Kai for me?
I gotta pick up some
extra shifts at the bar.
So, you can do
that devil's work?
I'm doing the best I can.
Saving up for her dress
has me a little short.
Pipe dreams.
You won that thing.
What good did it do you?
This is your child,
not mine.
I'll be here till late
helping Pastor.
Let's go.
Thanks for the coffee, girl.
Mmm. You're working
on your poem.
What if I danced
for my talent?
Mmm-mmm.
I won with that poem.
I can win with this.
Turn that TV off.
Let's practice.
Watch them eyes. Come on.
My name is Kai Jones,
and I'll be performing Phenomenal Woman
by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Now, you ain't gonna be
able to use that paper up there.
"Pretty women wonder
where my secret lies."
Come on.
Be serious.
"I'm not cute
"or built to suit
a fashion model's size."
"I'm not cute
"or built to suit
a fashion model's size."
Pageant ain't that far away.
- Well, then you do it.
- I did.
"I am a woman
"phenomenally.
"Phenomenal woman, that's me."
Mama!
An alligator, Ronnie?
Look, the shit ain't funny.
The thing came straight at me and
Catfish with that mouth all wide
looking like...
I don't know.
Turq, these white folks
acting like that thing
couldn't have
swallowed us whole.
Talking about the nature law,
saying you can't shoot
no damn gator there.
Thing had to be,
like, 13 feet long.
You know I ain't been in jail
since I was young and wildly.
They're talking about
making me pay this shit off
in the fields.
I work it off in the fields
like we back in the slave days.
You gotta get me
out of here, Turq.
How am I gonna do that?
With them hustling
this is gonna be like...
We're talking about,
like, 700 just to get me out.
And then, at a later date,
they're talking about,
like, $5,800 in payments
for the gators or something.
Where am I gonna get
that kind of money from?
I just went full-time
on that job.
And if I don't show up
on Monday...
I'm gonna make it back.
I promise.
Dessert fork.
Very nice.
Water glass.
Very nice, ladies.
Ladies, you must always
use proper etiquette
at the dinner table.
Now, we're going to see
who's been studying
their handbook.
It's time to demonstrate
a little more
of what you've learnt.
So...
pick up your salad fork.
Your soup spoons.
Stop copying me.
Your dinner knife.
That is your salad knife,
not your dinner knife.
One would surely not eat
the main course with that.
Ladies. Ladies.
Kai...
it's imperative that you learn
these things for yourself.
Miss Juneteenth is here to
prepare you for the future,
to reach your highest heights,
and I know you can do this.
Ladies...
white wine glass.
Kai? Kai?
You hear me calling you?
You didn't pay it?
I called them.
- Those bastards.
- But did you pay them?
I had to pay
your pageant fees.
Look, 14 don't make you grown.
Fifteen.
Hey, my battery
about to die.
I got something for you
when you decide to come out.
Okay.
Mmm.
Happy birthday, baby.
Let's just go out.
- The truck stopped.
- Wait.
They ain't gonna let
Daddy out?
Everybody been
texting me about it.
We're having
"a let there be light" party.
Mmm-hmm.
Kai.
Mmm. Mmm! Mmm!
Mmm. No, no, no, no!
Stop. No!
Be careful.
My girl.
Okay.
It's my birthday
so I get to wear the crown.
Introducing
Ms. Kai Marie Jones,
queen of it all.
Mama, don't I look good?
It's for the queen.
Yes, ma'am.
- It's pretty.
- Yeah.
- How much did you spend on this?
- Oh.
Why didn't you put it
on the lights?
Why didn't I put it
on the lights?
Mmm-hmm.
I'll take care of it.
I'm picking up
some extra shifts.
That is why you're gonna have
to stay with Ms. Burke tonight.
- It's my birthday.
- Mmm.
The lady of honor...
...says she sees things?
- Not real things.
- Don't start.
Come on.
I'm gonna wipe it.
Mmm. Go wash up.
Come on, come on.
Go, go, go.
- Okay.
- Gonna make me late.
Hey, don't I know you?
Yes. I was Miss Juneteenth.
Oh, here.
Mom?
And hit the floor
It's BYOB...
Come on.
I feel
I feel like shaking something
Whoo!
Shake something
Shake,
shake Shake something Shake, shake
Hey, I'm feeling...
Big 15.
Got that fire
for your birthday.
Been messin' around
with these beats.
You could use this one
for them tryouts.
Come on.
Thought you were
off tonight.
Mama. Stop.
Stop.
Come on.
It's just water.
Was I a good mother?
Is that your liquor talking?
I know you think
I was hard on you.
You made it through.
I wasn't surprised
when you won that crown.
You got your looks from me.
Momma...
I won that pageant
'cause I worked hard.
It takes more than looks
to survive.
Not in this world.
Not if you know
how to use 'em.
Looks is all a woman needs.
- Get up.
- Huh?
I'm out here working
like a dog for you
and you're sneaking
boys up in here?
He just brought me
something for my birthday.
Mmm.
Fourteen. Fifteen barely.
I'm not a baby.
- I ain't gonna be who you want me...
- I will...
Hi, Mr. Willy.
Oh, my goodness.
Welcome
to the Juneteenth Museum.
Thank you, sir.
Ladies. Ladies, come on.
Now, when Lincoln
freed the slaves,
Texas did not mind him.
As a matter of fact,
other slave states
would send their slaves
to Texas.
Now, approximately 30% of
Texas population were slaves.
So, you can imagine
how much money
the slave owners would lose
if they let them go.
Now, Major General
Gordon Granger
made it to Galveston and he read
the Proclamation of Freedom.
General order number three
declaring slaves free in Texas.
And there was a joyful
celebration in the streets.
This way.
Here we have
our first wall,
and over here we have
our Miss Juneteenth wall.
Oh.
Ladies.
Our former
Miss Juneteenth winners
have gone on
to great things.
Chandra Mobley,
famed civil rights attorney.
Mmm. Dr. Minny Adams,
neurosurgeon.
Celeste Fulton,
wife of Congressman Fulton.
So, you can see
we are expecting greatness.
Thank you.
Take a look, ladies.
Okay, so like this.
You gotta go like this.
- Okay. Go one, two, three. Lift that up.
- Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Throw it up. And catch it.
Yeah.
Okay, from the top.
You got it.
Do we say something when we catch it?
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
- Right, left, catch it.
- Catch it.
Throw it up.
Yeah!
Come on, Mama.
Uh-huh.
We'll go from step back.
Step back.
One, two, three.
And then, hit.
Huh!
- And then...
- You gotta say...
Yeah!
- Okay, come on.
- Yeah!
So, lean.
Come on, Mama.
Go right, left.
Right. Throw it up.
And catch it.
Yeah!
Oh, wait a minute.
"Yeah" as you catch.
Okay, come on.
We need
a new door on this cooler,
a stall
in the women's restroom,
dance floor
lifting in places.
You and your ambitions.
Child, folks
don't come down here
for no five-star restaurant.
They know
it's a hole in the wall.
It don't always have to be.
Game fishing
in the nature's preserve.
Should have took his behind out of
the hedge just like everybody else.
And you got him out.
I want Kai to have
both her parents.
I ain't have that.
You a beauty...
and you're smart
to boot...
you just make
bad ass man choices.
You're gonna make me
burn these ribs.
Hurry up and finish stocking.
Bar ain't running,
bar don't make no money.
I'm already rushin'.
I gotta pay
on this power bill,
then run by Bacon's.
You know
they movin' soon.
I warned him
about talking money
from them white folk.
The one he had
was just fine.
Nothing wrong
with trying to do better.
- That's the American dream.
- American dream?
Ain't no American dream
for black folks.
We gotta hold on
to what we got.
Look, it may not be as fancy as you
want it around here, Miss Juneteenth,
but it's mine.
I own it.
Free and clear.
And the white folks
down at the city
have been trying
to run me off for years,
but I got my papers.
And when you get yourself
something worth holding on to,
you make sure can't nobody
take it from you.
You hear me?
He going out
the way he wanted.
We selling premiums
like you wouldn't believe.
I'm making sure we give folks
the homegoing of their dreams.
That's how it should be.
How's that pageant
going with Kai?
- Like pulling teeth.
- That's why y'all different.
You put your everything
into that pageant.
I was proud of you
when you won.
Yeah. That crown don't make
some magical life
where all your dreams
come true.
Good to see you,
Reverend Patterson.
How's that girl of yours?
Growing like a weed.
Too grown for 15.
Lord...
I remember
when you were 15.
Bacon chasin' after you
even way back then.
Daddy, ain't you got
some embalming to do?
Loosening up my knees.
When Granddaddy started out,
there were no black
morticians in Fort Worth.
He started in a little home
on the south side,
moved here.
Now, we gonna be
in over 10,000 square feet.
Mmm.
It looks like you're ready.
You're really making
a way for yourself.
I learned how to make
it happen from you.
You always had a plan.
You're meant for more.
Could be the first lady
at this funeral home.
Bacon.
All you do for Kai,
I can take care of all of that and more.
You're too good of a woman
to be living the way you do.
What way is that?
I make it work.
I need to catch my bus.
Can't be as bad as me.
Your mama ain't making you do
something you don't want to.
I don't even like
standing up there,
acting all stiff,
saying that poem
over and over.
All I'm saying is
somebody making me do something
I don't wanna do...
I'd figure
I make up my own.
Damn. Who died?
I mean, really.
Only if it was candy coated.
Hold up.
Is that your mama?
I better not ever see you
at my house again.
You understand?
Get in the car.
I told you about that boy.
He was just sitting there.
Whose car, thing...
Whatever this is.
Bacon let me borrow it so I can get
your daddy to fix the truck again.
Where did you
get that from?
Daddy. On my birthday.
And where's the one
I brought you?
In my bag.
Why you gotta
pick me up in it?
It's a ride
with a full tank of gas.
Stop being ungrateful.
Why couldn't you let me
walk home?
Everybody saw me.
You always embarrass me.
Brianna's mama said
you were a stripper...
...and you'd be
getting on the men.
That you're Miss Juneteenth.
I ain't sorry for putting
food on the table.
You could have done
something else.
And you don't know
what was going on.
I'm trying to make it so that you
ain't ever desperate like that.
Baby, I know it's hard to
understand, but we're...
Come on.
Should I deuce him?
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah!
Yeah!
- Down the hole.
- Damn.
Yeah, give me that.
Yup, give me that.
Fifteen. Thank you very much.
Thank you, thank you.
Pleasure doing business
with you.
See, my baby don't play.
Here.
I'm glad you came out
to hang with me.
Take that.
Put that on your dance team.
- For real?
- Yeah, for real.
You think it's fake?
Hell, now you're
over here cheatin'.
Man, nigga,
say I'm cheatin' again.
See what the fuck's
gonna happen.
I'll crack
your motherfucking skull.
Step out from here.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- Daddy.
- Hey, hey, hey.
- Y'all cut that shit out.
Y'all are scaring
my baby girl.
Let's go. Come on.
It's all good, baby.
We all good.
Uh, Mama on her way.
You told her we here?
Now, you know dang well you ain't
supposed to have her up here.
Oh, come on.
What you
driving this for?
Hey, she was with me.
She... Wait, wait, wait.
She needs street smarts
just like she needs
them classes on how to eat.
Put on your seatbelt.
Hey,
don't be mad at me.
Here, here, here, here.
Put that on your light bill.
I already put enough down on it
for them to put it back on,
but I'll take it.
I even made enough
to pay you back.
Well, where's the rest?
'Cause if you got
it from in there
I know it ain't
gonna last long.
- Don't play.
- You know I can't carry
that kind of money
on me, girl.
She need to have it on
the day after tomorrow.
All right, I ain't playing.
I'll be there.
- At 6:00.
- 6:00.
I'll have it there at 4:00.
Put that money
in that man's hand.
Um, thank you, Mama.
I'll get her
as soon as I get off.
I told you
it's no problem.
Glad to have this young one
in church with her gran.
Pick her up from the house.
Okay. Mama.
No drinking tonight. Okay?
I'd never put
the child at risk.
Come meet my prayer partners
real quick before you go.
I'm late. I can't.
Just take a second.
Just take a second.
Pastor wants us
to start bringing
our families to Bible study.
I wanted us
to come as a family.
Oh, yes, Lord Jesus,
someone gonna come.
Come in the circle.
Pray to Jesus.
Yes, right over here.
Yes, Lord.
Let's hold hands here.
Father God,
thank you for delivering my daughter
and granddaughter to your house.
Father God, Lord,
they are in desperate need of prayer.
So, we come together to anoint
them in the name of Jesus.
Father God, to cast out
all demonic spirits, Father God.
That you will
touch them, Father,
from the top of their head to the
bottom of their feet, Father God.
We know that
you're able, Lord.
- Let's go, Kai. Kai. Kai.
- Deliver them, Father. Deliver them.
Lose the demon out of them
in the name of Jesus!
In the name...
- Lord! Don't run from the Lord.
- It's all right, Sister Charlotte.
You tried, you tried.
Don't run from the Lord.
Thank you, Lord.
What's wrong with Granny?
How dare you embarrass me?
I am trying to help you.
You need Jesus.
I don't think Jesus
is what you're offering.
Don't blast me.
I am not responsible
for how you turned out.
So, the way I turned out had nothing
do with you drinking all the time?
Granny, stop!
- Come on.
- Turquoise.
Baby.
Turquoise, I'm...
Oh, Jesus.
Make sure you smile.
I can see the concentration
on your face.
"I'm a woman
"phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
"that's me."
Miss Jones,
I want that poem memorized immediately.
It was lovely seeing her doing
the same poem you did.
I remember
what an orator you were
and how beautifully
you performed it.
I owe that to you.
You introduced me
to Dr. Angelou's words.
That and pay
for my pageant fees.
I had high hopes
for you, Turquoise.
I wish I'd gotten
to you sooner.
Can't change the past,
I suppose.
Of course not.
We just have to focus
on the future.
All I smell
is burnt hair.
This is just
for your dress rehearsal.
You need to sign this
for me.
You need some help
around here,
and I can pay for stuff,
like dancing.
I worked when I was 15
'cause I had to.
You barely made it this year without
having to go to summer school.
Mama, you ain't even
finished school.
I don't even know why
I have to do Juneteenth.
Didn't do nothing for you.
When I was a kid,
I used to go
to the pageant every year,
dreaming that one day
I'd be up there.
And the girls that won
looked like they were floating.
And they had all this
hope and promise.
I felt that when I won.
Like, I mean,
I was walking into a new life.
I still didn't believe
I actually won.
A girl from where I'm from
didn't win Miss Juneteenth.
That scholarship made me feel
like I finally had a chance.
My life could have
been different if, um...
If I would have
stuck with it.
That's what I want for you.
Oh, child.
Come on now.
That's the last one.
- Oh, Lord.
- Here we go.
Solomon, says he's tired
of me working.
He's gonna take me
off of my feet.
You're gonna spend
the rest of your days
pushing his old behind around.
His old behind gets
a Social Security check.
Ain't no retirement
at Wayman's.
You just work
till your legs fall off.
Wayman's.
Boy, stop playing.
What you mean?
Uh-uh. Uh-uh.
Oh, Lord. Okay, okay.
All right. Come on, Turq.
- We gotta go. Now.
- What's going on?
We're doing
everything we can.
With a heart attack like this,
it's really up to the patient.
Call your daddy again.
I have, like, 100 times.
Why don't you try?
You think I would have
asked you if I hadn't?
I need a favor.
I don't have
the rest of the money,
but I can put
some more down on it.
I told you, we don't do credit
and we don't do layaway.
You see, I just
need it for tonight.
I can bring the dress back
in the morning.
I rushed to get it ready.
It's 6:00.
I close at 6:00.
I already paid the deposit.
Mrs. Cee, please.
Together. And turn in sync.
Lovely. Lovely, ladies.
To your positions.
Watch your spacing.
Lovely.
Beautiful smiles, ladies.
Lovely turn.
In sync. Lovely.
Nicely done.
And next, moving on.
Young lady, your turn.
- What?
- Stay.
What the hell are you doing?
Where were you?
And where's your car?
You told me
to park down the street.
Hmm.
What you gonna do
with that?
Where's the money?
You know I had to pay
some of that restitution.
We waited three hours.
What good imma be
if I'm back in jail, huh?
All them girls
in their pretty dresses,
and she had to walk
the fucking stage in her shorts.
She don't even
want to do this.
No sense in spending
all that money on her dress.
My money.
Where's the rest?
Turq.
My homeboy...
he put his body shop
up for sale.
He throwing in his tools
and everything.
I couldn't pass that up.
I could open up
my own custom shop.
Think about all the things
I can do.
Once that take off...
I'll get her that dress.
And I'm gonna
help you, too.
I just need...
I just need...
Just gotta give me
just a little time.
Turq, just enough time
to pay you back.
Imma pay you back.
Daddy, just go.
Let her be.
Mama, get up.
Come on, get up.
Let's practice.
We can take
these old ruffles off
and put some more
sequins on it.
"Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed.
"I don't shout or jump about
"or have to talk real loud.
"When you see me passing,
it ought to make you proud."
We're having that dance
for Wayman tonight.
All the proceeds
go to his medical bills.
Hey, little lady.
Go put your dress on.
I'll be fine.
I promise.
I won't do nothing.
You should go.
Mmm.
Okay, fine,
I'll go next door.
Okay.
I'll walk you over there.
Check, check, check.
Everybody, what's up?
Y'all put in the bucket
what ya'll can,
give a hand
to Mr. Wayman.
As good as he's been to us,
let's be good to him.
Let's hope that it will take
more than a heart attack
to shut him down,
as bad as he is.
Gentlemen, on three. One...
We made a vow
That we'll always
be together
I'm gonna stick
to what we said
There will never be another
I see that
your bag's packed
Like you trying to go
on your way
Might as well...
I'm glad you came out.
I'm glad you picked me up.
Yeah. I mean, you know,
we do what we can.
- I mean leverage.
- I'm surprised.
Oh. Stay there, please.
Okay.
This how you gonna
do me, Turq?
- Ronnie. Ronnie.
- You're supposed to be with me!
- You're still a married woman.
- Hey, that's not really...
That's not really what?
- That's not really what?
- Leave.
- You're still a married woman.
- Leave.
Baby, I made a mistake.
Please don't do me like this.
- Ronnie, leave.
- Let's go.
What you walking
up to me like that for?
Stop, y'all. Stop!
- You gonna do something?
- Bro. Hey, hey.
Hey, man, we can't go back
to the joint for this shit, man.
Come on, bro.
- It's all right, man.
- Get in the car.
Come on, bro.
Get your ass in the car.
Let's go.
I wish you'd say something.
I don't know if it's you
or the world.
I swear some women
just don't know what they want.
Bacon.
I wanna be with you.
That's no secret.
I need to know right now
do you want that, too?
You're a good man.
I just...
I just...
I just want something
for myself.
Yeah
Ooh, baby!
I've got this feeling
Yeah
I've got this feeling
All my sexy ladies
You're so fine
Head to the dance floor
It's time to party
Yeah
Party like we used to do
Oh, yeah...
Kai!
That's my baby.
'Cause I'm gonna
show you why...
Hold your head up!
Yeah, let's do
the party rock
Oh, yeah, yeah
It's time to party
Yeah
Come on
Do the party rock
Don't just sit there
looking cool
Get up and party with me
You can take off your shoes
Welcome to the party
Oh, yeah
Yeah, let's do
the party rock
Yeah
It's time to party
Yeah
Come on
Do the party rock
Come near me.
You're in a winning dress.
You got your lines down?
Mama, I don't think...
You got this.
Turquoise Jones,
Miss Juneteenth 2004.
Excuse me.
My name is Opal Lee.
Welcome to the
Miss Juneteenth pageant.
This is
the Miss Juneteenth pageant.
Juneteenth?
I know all about Juneteenth.
In 1865...
No.
Ever lasting on
Look at me.
Look at my arms.
I have ploughed and planted
and gathered into barns,
and no man
could heed me.
And ain't I a woman?
Not even Jesus can hear me.
And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about
this thing in the head.
What's this they call it?
Intellect.
That's it, honey.
What's that got to do with
negroes' rights or with women's?
If my cup won't hold but a pint,
and yours holds a quart,
wouldn't it be mean of you not to let
me have my little half measure full?
My name is Kai Marie Jones,
and I'll be performing Phenomenal Woman.
Pretty women wonder
where my secret lie
I'm not cute or built
to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
they think I'm telling lies
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
the span of my hips
The stride of my step
the curl of my lips
I'm a woman phenomenally
Phenomenal woman, that's me
Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
it ought to make you proud
I say
it's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
the need for my care
'Cause I'm a woman
phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me
It is now time to crown
our Miss Juneteenth 2019.
The winner will wear
the crown for one year
and receive her scholarship.
She will represent
Fort Worth.
And our second runner up is...
- Carrigan Smith.
- Yes.
And our first runner up
goes to...
Mmm.
The lovely Gwen Wembry.
And now,
for our very own
Miss Juneteenth 2019 is...
Donetta Matthews!
Whoo! Donetta!
Welcome your new queen.
Oh, yes!
Mama, I'm sorry.
I know how hard you worked.
Mmm-mmm.
Nobody more sorry than me.
All this time,
I've been trying
to make you Miss Juneteenth,
but you always
Ms. Kai Marie Jones.
Queen of it all.
Now, let's go.
You're supposed to be resting.
I'm fine.
Girl, what the hell
are you doing?
I lay down for five minutes...
And you run my bar into the
ground.
Put them liquors back
so we can open up.
Can't make no money closed.
I gotta get
to the barbecue pit
- so that we can get started.
- Wayman.
What?
I gotta get
to the barbecue pit.
Come on, sit down.
I've been giving
my whole life to this bar.
When I was laid up,
thought about it
long and hard.
I'm gonna have to
go down to the city,
see what the white folks
gonna give me for her.
No. You know I could
run this thing
with my eyes closed.
I know.
But with the medical bills
piling up,
I can't afford
to keep on going.
I've thought about that, too.
Oh, no, child.
Listen, I know it's not
much of a deposit...
but we could do a split
in your favor...
till I get caught up.
Mmm-hmm.
- Mmm-hmm.
Right.
Okay. Um...
Well, I guess I should start
unboxing things.
Guess
this is yours now.
Let me tell you
about the good news
About the riverside
We're gonna hide
We're getting
low down low
So, get up
and clap your hands
I'll tell you everything
you need to know
All about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh!
- The good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
You ain't got nothing
to worry about
You ain't got
no fears to fear
Just open up your heart
And let your
worries disappear
You can let that burn down
You can stomp it
to the ground
You can put it
beneath your shoes
Oh!
- Let me tell you about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, about the good news
- Good news
- Lord, the good news
- Good news
Sister, the good news
Good news...
So, when them
dance team trials?
You ain't got
no place to hide
Come, let me tell you
about the good news
About the riverside
We're gonna hide
We're getting
low down low
So, get up
and clap your hands
I'll tell you everything
you need to know
- Oh, about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, the good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
You ain't got nothing
to worry about
You ain't got
no fears to fear
Just open up your heart
And let your
worries disappear
You can let that burn down
You can stomp it
to the ground
You can put it
beneath your shoes
Oh!
- Let me tell you about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh, about the good news
- Good news
- Lord, the good news
- Good news
- Sister, the good news
- Good news
- Brother, the good news
- Good news
- Oh, about the good news
- Good news
- Ooh! The good news
- Good news
- Oh, the good news
- Good news
The good news