When Dick Clark debuts a rival show, Don enlists the help of a renowned activist to take him down; JT makes a deal with the Crips in order to protect his family; Tessa auditions for a dance troupe and has a run-in with her past.
In 1968 Don takes one step towards his dreams while dealing with his father's failing health; an estranged uncle with a dark agenda threatens the Clarke security; the Tuckers put the move to Oklahoma on hold so JT can pursue music.
Don celebrates the success of the "Soul Train" in Chicago but discovers it may cost him more than he bargained for; the dancers have a run-in with racists.
As Encore achieves his greatest success, opening for Ike and Tina Turner at Guys & Dolls, Simone, Kendall and JT must reconcile their own lives before committing to the group; Don secures a second season for "Soul Train".
Don Cornelius strikes out at first getting Gladys Knight and the Pips to be his first guest singer but with more persistence his wit and charm win Gladys Knight and the Pips over and she agrees to be his new show's first musical guest.
Don figures out a creative way to score top talent for the show; Tessa goes to extreme to get the dancers into shape only to end up hurting the show; JT's family is hanging by a thread.
Don Cornelius is aggressive searching for an investor for his new music and dance TV series to star and be produced by African Americans to make sure he has sufficient funds to launch so that he can maintain full creativity over the show.