Ten satirical sketches written by George C. Wolfe use drama, comedy and music to examine black stereotypes and express the need for African-Americans to preserve their culture by remembering their painful but glorious heritage. Presented as museum "exhibitions," the songs and sketches address the problem of having to renounce one's history and suppress anger in order to assimilate.

Two dippy roommates, struggling musicians Lolly and Hattie, are asked by a drug-dealing friend-of-a-friend, Diane, to baby-sit a bag containing nearly a million dollars while she scoots out of town in order to avoid trouble. Once the money is in their possession, however, temptation proves too much for them.

Manny tries to get his crack addict brother, Danny, to clean up.

Casey is the assistant of commodity trader Peter Oak, but wants to get a license herself. When the diabolic Nike appears and promises to make her successful by use of her supernatural abilities, Casey hesitantly accepts. By correctly predicting the price of soy beans, she manages to make a career, but the price that Nike demands is high: she wants Casey's soul!

Dede is a sole parent trying to bring up her son Fred. When it is discovered that Fred is a genius, she is determined to ensure that Fred has all the opportunities that he needs, and that he is not taken advantage of by people who forget that his extremely powerful intellect is harboured in the body and emotions of a child.

Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle.