Joni gets a college acceptance letter from Spelman College, a historically Black college (HBCU). She has not told her parents about the letter, partially because she does not understand herself why she wants to go, and partially because her wealthy parents would want her to attend a more prestigious school.

Joni’s parents then reveal to Joni and her brother, Ellis, that they are going to Missouri to visit Joni’s grandmother for her 80th birthday party. Joni remembers their last trip to Missouri when she was 12, during which she was relentlessly made fun of by her cousins for how she talked, the music she listened to, and many other aspects of their lives. In particular, her cousin Junior called her an “Oreo” for loving musicals, but not the ones about people of color.

At dinner the first night at her grandmother’s house, Ellis blurts out to the family that Joni got into Spelman. Her father is surprised and begins asking her if it is the best education she can get. Joni’s Uncle Marcus, her mother’s brother, gets offended, questioning what Joni’s father said, but her aunt breaks up the fight before it begins.

Junior is cold toward Joni the entire time, giving her attitude and generally avoiding her.