The series revolves around the Dawn family: Paige (Monet), a Spelman College sophomore whose life derails after falling for a "bad boy"; her father, Councilman Robert Dawn (Christie), whose mayoral aspirations come with significant personal and moral sacrifices; and his wife, Connie (Ali), striving to hold the family together. Set against the backdrop of Atlanta's two major cultural events at the time - Freaknik and the 1996 Summer Olympics - their personal drama unfolds.

A group of heroic firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19—from captain to newest recruit—risk their lives and hearts both in the line of duty and off the clock. These brave men and women are like family, literally and figuratively, and together they put their own lives in jeopardy as first responders to save the lives of others.