Grave Digger is a tough, seasoned black detective in Harlem who carries a self-modified .38 revolver and dresses like a hog farmer on a weekend visit to the city. He possesses a dark brown lumpy face with smoldering reddish-brown eyes. He operates under a strict personal code that prioritizes the safety of poor black families in Harlem over official police regulations, frequently bending the law to achieve justice for the vulnerable.

Coffin Ed is a quick-tempered black detective who patrols the streets of Harlem alongside Grave Digger Jones. An incident where a criminal threw acid in his face four years prior has left him with a notoriously short fuse and a hair-trigger response to perceived threats. Despite his aggressive reputation and willingness to use his weapon, he shares a deep commitment to protecting the neighborhood's innocent citizens from exploitation.

Deke is a charismatic con artist operating under the guise of a preacher to swindle money from desperate Harlem residents. Formerly known as Deke O'Hara, he survived his past by betraying his crime syndicate associates for reward money. He hides behind religious rhetoric and biblical comparisons to manipulate his trusting congregation while pursuing his own selfish interests.

Iris is a highly sexualized woman who relies on her desirability and quick wits to survive the dangerous criminal environment of Harlem. She maintains a fierce loyalty to Deke early on, protecting his whereabouts from the police despite physical intimidation. She views herself as resourceful, utilizing a combination of seduction, defiance, and sudden aggression to manipulate both criminals and police officers.

Calhoun is a white Southerner from Alabama who establishes an organization in Harlem designed to convince African Americans to return South and pick cotton. He eats elaborate Southern breakfasts by the window of his headquarters to incite nostalgia among the locals. He views black people as naive dependents who require the firm, paternalistic guidance of white masters.

Lieutenant Anderson is the white supervising officer for Grave Digger and Coffin Ed at the police precinct. He attempts to manage the intense political and public relations pressures surrounding his detectives' violent methods. He maintains a functional, respectful working dynamic with his two lead investigators while occasionally struggling to fully grasp the cultural realities of the streets they patrol.

Mabel is an ardent supporter of the Back-to-Africa movement who desires to escape her drab, working-class existence. She professes to be a devout Christian but readily justifies her worldly desires as God's will when convenient. She provides a safe haven for Deke when he goes into hiding, easily falling for his religious justifications.

Uncle Bud is a homeless junkman who scavenges the streets with his cart to make a meager living. He keeps his head down to avoid police harassment and possesses a sharp, opportunistic cunning. He sees an immediate chance for profit when he stumbles upon a seemingly misplaced bale of cotton, setting off a chain of transactions.

Billie is an exotic dancer who commands attention through her highly sexualized performances at the Cotton Club. She purchases the wandering bale of cotton from Uncle Bud to use as a prop in her stage act. She provides a safe space for Iris when she needs a place to wash up and hide from the pursuing detectives.

Joshua is a black laborer who works at a local junkyard. He pays close attention to the transactions happening around him and recognizes an opportunity for a quick payout when he spots an advertisement requesting a bale of cotton at the Back-to-the-Southland headquarters. He attempts to broker a deal independent of his employer.

Mr. Abraham Goodman is a Jewish junkyard owner who operates a business in Harlem. He is highly conscious of money and negotiates fiercely over the price of scrap, eventually agreeing to purchase the unusual bale of cotton for twenty-five dollars. He prefers to keep regular business hours and strongly resists police requests to assist with late-night investigations at his property.

John Hill is a recruiting agent who assists Reverend Deke O'Malley with the Back-to-Africa events. He works on the front lines to collect the thousand-dollar fees from eager families hoping for a better life. His proximity to the money puts him directly in the line of fire during the violent hijacking.

Barry is a criminal associate who works closely with Deke to manage operations and negotiate deals behind the scenes. He acts as a critical middleman, passing messages and arranging secret meetings while constantly checking his surroundings to dodge police surveillance. He attempts to leverage Deke's follower lists into a profitable arrangement with the rival Southern movement.

Captain Brice is a high-ranking police official who oversees the precinct operations. He demonstrates a ruthless approach to law enforcement, explicitly encouraging his detectives to break protocol and shoot suspects when it benefits the department's image. He remains entirely self-serving, quick to authorize dangerous plans but equally quick to threaten his detectives' jobs if those plans fail.

Mammy Louise is a restaurant owner in Harlem who recently lost her husband. She runs a popular local eatery where the detectives frequently stop to eat massive meals and think through the complexities of their cases. She chats openly with the officers about her personal life, including her new, younger romantic interest.