“Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget” by Author Zuri Day

1. 1. There was a definite spark between Jamilah and Rashad from their first interaction. Besides the obvious class conflict, what are some of the other reasons it took these two so long to acknowledge and act upon the attraction?
   2. Rashad is the face of so many young melanated men who have been ostracized, marginalized, and largely stripped of any positive attributes or contributions to society. Do you agree with this perspective, or feel the negative stereotype is deserved? Do you have personal experiences with young people who’ve been adversely affected by this narrative, especially any who’ve wound up on the wrong side of law enforcement?
   3. Jamilah’s perspective of men like Rashad has been largely influenced by her law enforcement father. Is her perspective and subsequent stance understandable? Realistic? Justified? Why or why not?
   4. Even though “do the crime, do the time,” is a popular phrase, the “F” word, felon, often follows those convicted for the rest of their lives. The question of whether or not one has ever been convicted is on almost every job application. It’s what made Rashad’s getting a job so difficult. What are your thoughts on this standard? Is this still a legitimate question to ask, and why? Would Jamilah have hired him had her back not been against the wall?
   5. The 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop was celebrated in 2023, a genre that continues to influence the entire world, and one that has brought both positive and negative messages to the culture. How has rap music impacted your life? Do you have a favorite rap song or musician? What did you think of Rashad using spoken word as an outlet, of the song he wrote, and how hip-hop was woven into the story?
   6. In this novel, food was almost its own character. How much of a part do you think this central theme played in moving the story along, as well as the relationship between Rashad and Jamilah?
   7. Family fractures played an equally important role in the development of Rashad’s and Jamilah’s characters – his father being killed and her mother leaving the family for another man, both at a pivotal age. How do you think these events impacted the characters beyond what was implied in the storyline? How important was it to their continued development, for Jamilah to reconnect with her mother and Rashad to find a father figure in Mr. Turner and perhaps, even
      later, Jamilah’s dad?
   8. This book is an unapologetic commentary on the lack of attention being paid to the development of today’s youth and young adults, especially by the elders in our culture, the “black” community. What are your thoughts on the seeming disconnect between generations, the “black” male/female divide, and how Rashad took it upon himself to create a safe space and creative outlet for him and his peers?
   9. Once arrested, it seemed Rashad’s past seemed to have followed him. What are your thoughts on how Jamilah finally stood up for him and stood up to her father, and this flip in the script?
   10. In this happily ever after, love conquers all. YAY! What about in the real world? What are your thoughts on a landscape where melanated women are the most educated in the world, yet these same stats are often not reflected in their romantic choices? Let’s chat about it!