Rashad is a 16-year-old African-American high school junior and talented artist who combines the styles of Aaron Douglas and The Family Circus. He tries to meet his father's strict expectations by participating in ROTC. When a misunderstanding at a convenience store leads to a violent assault by a police officer, Rashad finds himself hospitalized and thrust into the center of a community controversy.

Quinn is a white high school senior and varsity basketball player dealing with the pressure of living up to his deceased father's legacy as a local hero. He relies on his best friend's older brother, Paul, for guidance. Upon witnessing Paul commit an act of extreme violence, Quinn questions his loyalties and his own complacency regarding race.

David is Rashad's father and a former police officer who places a high value on discipline and American institutions. He insists his sons maintain respectable appearances and follows strict rules, initially believing Rashad must have provoked the assault. He holds complicated beliefs shaped by his own experiences in law enforcement.

Jessica is Rashad's mother and the primary peacekeeper within the Butler family. She offers unconditional support and fierce protection for her son following his assault. She mediates the tension between her husband's strict expectations and her older son's outrage.

Spoony is Rashad's older brother who works at UPS. He frequently clashes with their father over his job and his style of dress, which their father views as inviting suspicion. Spoony acts quickly to ensure the public sees the reality of Rashad's assault, determined to prevent the incident from being ignored.

Paul is a police officer and the older brother of Quinn's best friend. He served as a surrogate father to Quinn after Quinn's father died in Afghanistan. His violent assault on Rashad over a suspected shoplifting incident divides the community and forces those close to him to reexamine his character.

Guzzo is Quinn's best friend and basketball teammate. He is deeply loyal to his older brother, Paul, and expects his friends to share that unwavering support. He becomes hostile toward anyone who questions his brother's actions following the incident at the store.

Jill is Paul and Guzzo's cousin and Quinn's primary romantic interest. Unlike the rest of her family, she questions Paul's actions and refuses to blindly support him. She serves as an early voice of accountability and encourages Quinn to critically examine the community's racial dynamics.

English is Rashad's best friend and the charismatic captain of the high school basketball team. He maintains a cool exterior but finds himself deeply unsettled by the violence inflicted on Rashad. He uses his position on the basketball team to challenge Quinn's perspective on the assault.

Carlos is an artistic high school senior who shares Rashad's interest in creativity. As a graffiti artist, he channels his frustration over Rashad's assault into a public demonstration. His street art acts as a starting point for the school's response to the incident.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is an older woman who befriends Rashad during his hospitalization. She provides a safe space where he does not have to constantly discuss the assault. She gently encourages Rashad to find his voice, drawing on her own memories of the Civil Rights Movement.

Shannon is part of Rashad's tight-knit group of friends. He plays on the varsity basketball team alongside English and Quinn, dealing with the growing tensions among the players after the assault.

Dwyer is one of Quinn and Guzzo's close friends and a fellow basketball player. He generally follows Guzzo's lead and tries to maintain their established social dynamic despite the friction regarding Paul's actions.

Will is Quinn's seventh-grade younger brother. He is coddled by their mother, leaving Quinn to act as a surrogate parental figure following their father's death in Afghanistan.

Berry is Spoony's girlfriend and English's older sister. As a law student, she understands the systemic challenges facing African Americans and works with Spoony to ensure Rashad's case receives immediate public attention.

Clarissa is a young nurse who attends to Rashad while he recovers from his injuries. She recognizes his artistic talent and provides consistent, gentle care during his difficult hospital stay.

Katie is a woman whose minor accident at the convenience store sets off the misunderstanding that leads to Rashad's assault. She later seeks Rashad out at the hospital to offer her support and clarify the truth of the event.

Pastor Johnson is a local religious leader who attempts to comfort Rashad's family. He relies on his faith to explain the tragedy, offering platitudes that frustrate Rashad but bring comfort to his mother.