Randall's storyline centers on his run for local city council, intersecting with family tensions and his identity as a Black man in politics. Tess, the young daughter, has a coming-out subplot as LGBT, including supportive family reactions and identity discussions.

The creator emphasized intentional diversity hiring in writers and directors to enhance authenticity around race and family dynamics. These elements appear in character development and subplots rather than overt lectures dominating every episode, though audience reactions noted occasional heavy-handed speeches on identity and family roles. The diversity is foundational to the Pearson family setup from the series start but does not make identity politics the primary emotional engine; instead, it layers onto traditional family drama tropes like grief, relationships, and personal growth.