LEM Portrayed by Darrin DeWitt Henson Lem always seems to stand in a familiar place--in the shadow of the question mark that hangs over his career, given that he is an ex-con. He had successfully managed the Joseph family grocery store and then a night club, but now he's of a mind to head his own business. Now that he's working for Baron, he seems to be getting closer to success but unfortunately for Lem, drama always appears to be right around the corner. And now, it also seems to be showing up at home with his wife Bird and their little bundle of joy, Jeremiah, through lies, secrets, and mistrust. KENNY Portrayed by Rockmond Dunbar After a couple of years struggling as the head of his own towing company, Kenny saw the quake that rocked his work world begin to subside. He and Maxine, at her urging, separated. Perhaps it was motivated, in part, by Kenny's attraction to his former assistant, Lila. However, after a series of dates and counseling sessions, Kenny moved back in and now they're trying to finish writing, as they raise their three kids, the greatest love story ever told. Also on his plate now, is him taking his son Ahmad under his wings to guide him the right way as he transitions to manhood. AHMAD Portrayed by Aaron Meeks In the past few seasons, it has been a trying time for Ahmad, who not only watched with worry, as his dad (Kenny) moved out of the house at his mother's (Maxine) request, but he also had to be hidden for several days after he witnessed a terrifying drug-related shooting. But Ahmad always has a guardian angel: Mama Joe, the matriarch of the family, who died a few years ago, and sometimes comes back to him in spirit with soothing words that help him manage it all. As he enters his teenage years, however, there are three things that preoccupy his thoughts: girls, girls and girls. That's one thing among many others he'll have to do on his own as he becomes a young adult. TERI Portrayed by Nicole Parker For Teri, work may still be a high priority, but Teri hasn't slacked off in her big-sister duties to Maxine and Bird, lending a dollar or an ear to help them and other family members. However, now that Damon has exited her life, Teri must find a way to re-group and find out who she is without him by her side. This leads to many men in and out her life and getting involved in non-work related activities that give her the outlet she finally needs to be happy. BIRD Portrayed by Malinda Williams After years of acting like the baby of the family, Bird is finally growing up. On the career front, Bird kicked it up a few notches by wangling her 15 minutes of fame on a local TV show into a regular makeover segment. Her maturity is also reflected in life with Lem. She's been patient as he navigates the more limited career options that go with being an ex-con in this country. She may have her growing pains, but Bird's got a better sense now of which way is up. MAXINE Portrayed by Vanessa Williams After more than a dozen years in her role as Kenny's wife and mother, Maxine has been exploring who she is. Over the years, the middle Joseph sister tested her wings first in a poetry lounge, where she performed some of her own pieces, and then pursued politics. She found meaningful work in a drug-rehab program for women who wanted their lives back again. Now she has increased responsibility with her position at the Sojourner Truth House and she is forced to learn how to balance family, work, and most surprisingly, sexual temptation.