In early 20th-century New York, a tapestry of interconnected lives reflects the social turbulence and cultural transformation of the era. At the heart of the narrative is Coalhouse Walker Jr., a talented black pianist who seeks success and fair treatment in a society marred by racial prejudice. When his car is vandalized by racists, Coalhouse demands justice, but his quest becomes a fixation threatening to upend his life and the lives of those around him. His story crosses paths with an affluent white family whose matriarch, known as Mother, takes in a black baby and its destitute mother, Sarah, who is revealed to have a personal connection to Coalhouse.

Parallel to Coalhouse's struggles against societal injustices, the film explores the transformative period through the experiences of various historical figures and fictional characters. Tateh, a Jewish immigrant artist, strives to make a better life for his daughter amidst poverty and labor strikes, while Evelyn Nesbit, a famed beauty entangled in a high-profile scandal, navigates her role as both a victim and a celebrity. As these personal dramas unfold, the characters become caught up in the tumult of the times – from the surging tide of social activism to the innovative pulse of ragtime music – all of which contribute to the profound and irreversible changes shaping America's landscape.