Max is an ambitious young man living in Harlem who decides to undergo a radical new medical procedure to turn his skin white. Renaming himself Matthew Fisher, he moves to Atlanta to capitalize on his new appearance and seek out a white woman who previously rejected him. He is resourceful and highly strategic, willing to manipulate the prejudices of others for his own financial gain.

Dr. Crookman is the brilliant but opportunistic inventor of the Black-No-More treatment. He presents his invention as a medical solution to racial bias in America, though he actively prioritizes the massive profits the procedure generates. He operates a growing, highly lucrative network of sanitariums across the country.

Rev. Givens is a former Ku Klux Klan member who leads a wealthy supremacist organization called the Knights of Nordica. He is portrayed as an ignorant individual who casually embezzles from his own followers. He actively uses racial tensions to amass wealth and political power in the South.

Helen is a young, beautiful white woman from Atlanta. Raised in a fiercely prejudiced household, she holds strong exclusionary views at the beginning of the story. She represents the social ideals that Max Disher specifically seeks to attain following his physical transformation.

Bunny is an easygoing, quick-thinking young man who fought alongside Max in World War I. He serves as Max's closest confidant and trusted associate, willingly participating in various profitable schemes. Like Max, he adapts to the changing social environment with a purely pragmatic mindset.

Snobbcraft is an arrogant Southern aristocrat who prides himself on his supposedly pure lineage. He uses his political influence to advocate for strict racial segregation and the stripping of citizenship from anyone with mixed ancestry. He is highly ambitious and actively seeks national political office.

Minnie is a light-skinned biracial woman and Max's former girlfriend. Her dissatisfaction in their relationship prompts Max to reevaluate his social standing and romantic prospects at the start of the story.

Chuck is a Harlem realtor who provides crucial early funding for Dr. Crookman's medical discovery. He remains cautious about the business's future, worrying about potential government interference as the treatment grows in popularity.

Hank is a Harlem banker who invests heavily in the Black-No-More treatment. He is highly confident in the venture's massive success and expresses a willing readiness to resort to bribery to protect their lucrative business from legal threats.

Sybil is an attractive reporter for the publication *The Scimitar*. She successfully offers a large sum of money to secure an exclusive interview with the first person to undergo the Black-No-More process.

Mrs. Crookman is the beautiful, light-skinned wife of the scientist who invented the Black-No-More process. She manages her husband's intense schedule as his business explodes in popularity.

Madame Blandish operates a local hair-straightening salon in Harlem. Her business suffers a significant drop in customers as the community redirects its savings toward the new, permanent cosmetic overhaul.

Mrs. Givens is the wife of the Knights of Nordica leader. She identifies strongly as a Christian and expects pious behavior from others, frequently lamenting her daughter's focus on secular activities.

Dr. Beard is the founder of the militant National Social Equality League. He panics as his organization loses its funding due to changing demographics, pushing him to strategize desperately to maintain his group's relevance and income.

Dr. Jackson serves as the president of the National Social Equality League, working alongside Dr. Beard to counteract the societal shifts destroying their organization's funding base.

Mr. Williams is a researcher for the National Social Equality League who helps the organization strategize against Dr. Crookman's growing business empire.

Santop is the dishonest head of the Back-to-Africa Society, an organization that has never actually transported anyone to Africa. He seeks to capitalize on the changing social climate by secretly communicating with white supremacist leaders for financial gain.

Senator Kretin is a Democratic politician who joins forces with the Knights of Nordica to maintain the status quo and protect his own political interests in the changing South.

Dr. Bonds is the former head of the Negro Data League in New York City who has adapted to the changing times by taking a service job. He remains willing to participate in illicit, highly destructive activities for the right price.

President Goosie is the Republican incumbent seeking reelection. He is forced to manage the volatile political environment created by the rapidly changing racial demographics of his constituents.

Dr. Buggerie is a statistician tasked with tracing the genealogy of every American to identify non-Nordic strains in the population. He conducts his monumental research in absolute secrecy ahead of the election.

Gorman Gay is a top-level Republican operative who successfully pressures Dr. Crookman into providing financial support to the party in exchange for political protection.

Gump serves as the vice-presidential running mate of President Harold Goosie during a highly contentious election year.

Walter Williams is a Republican operative who travels to Richmond to uncover secrets about the genealogical research project threatening his political party.

Madeline Scranton is described as an acquaintance of Matthew who sends him crucial news regarding the outcome of the presidential election.

Rev. McPhule is a fanatical preacher who uses religious fervor to incite horrific violence. He actively claims to receive divine visions to assert dominance over other churches in his area.