The Great White Hope (film) over their marriage and Duryea's death by suicide in 1912. Set between 1910 and 1915, the story follows Jack Jefferson, patterned after real-life boxer, Jack Johnson, going on a hot streak of victories in the boxing ring as he defeats every white boxer around. Soon the press and racists announce the search for a "great white hope", a boxer who will defeat Jefferson for the heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Jefferson prepares for a few more matches, but he lets his guard down by courting the beautiful, and very white, Eleanor Bachman, and when everyone, including Jack's black "wife", discover this, the
Hope Was Here students from the local high school form an organization to support G.T.'s campaign. This group includes Hope and the "Welcome Stairways" line cook Eddie Braverman. Because of Braverman's participation, he is attacked and beaten by a group of Millstone's supporters. While G.T. campaigns against Millstone, Addie tries to improve the diner to match her exacting standards. G.T. shows romantic interest in Addie, who responds positively but brusquely. Encouraged by G.T.'s success with Addie, Braverman decides to ask Hope out. Hope refuses at first, wary because Deena has always told her to never date cooks. However, after a test date, Hope