Jessie is a 37-year-old literary editor who is deeply passionate about words and publishing. As a highly educated Phi Beta Kappa graduate and the first Black woman to attend Cornell University, she balances her ambitious career goals with her dedication to editing young writers. She works to assert her independence and editorial vision while managing a complicated, hidden affair with her boss.

Bella is Jessie's white, Jewish stepmother who converted to Christianity after marrying Jessie's late father. She is a voracious reader who spends her time volunteering at the 135th Street library. Holding strict moral views, she strongly disapproves of her stepdaughter's relationship with a married man and threatens to return to Philadelphia over it.

Will is a 51-year-old intellectual leader, author, and the founder of The Crisis magazine. He maintains an intense schedule of traveling, lecturing, and organizing for social justice causes across the globe. Believing that art must serve strictly as political messaging, he demands total control over his publications and uses his power to maintain multiple romantic affairs simultaneously.

Miss Ovington is a board member for the NAACP and a close personal friend to Will's wife, Nina. Appalled by the clear affection between Will and Jessie, she makes it her personal mission to monitor Jessie's actions. She uses her position of authority to heavily criticize Jessie's editorial work and repeatedly attempts to have her fired.

Mary-Helen is Jessie's older sister by seven years and works as a school teacher. She frequently visits Jessie in Harlem and shares her stepmother's deep disapproval of Jessie's romantic choices. She actively encourages her sister to date unmarried men instead of jeopardizing her career for a married boss.

Nina is Will's wife. She lives near Jessie's brownstone and forms a polite, friendly relationship with the younger editor. She takes pride in her husband's public work as a writer and activist, choosing to maintain her household and anchor her family despite the heavy rumors surrounding his personal life.

Nella works as a junior assistant at the 135th Street library and is an aspiring novelist. She teams up with Jessie as a writing partner to work on her manuscript. Curious and perceptive, she actively questions the romantic dynamics of the authors around her while pushing Jessie to complete her own book.

Georgia is a talented poet from Washington, DC, whose work Jessie proudly publishes. She serves as a professional peer to Jessie, though their dynamic is heavily complicated by Georgia's romantic connection to Will. She encourages Jessie to accept the unconventional boundaries of their shared social circles.

Langston is a 17-year-old poet who struggles with the severe racism he encounters as an engineering student at Columbia University. He channels his difficult experiences into powerful poetry. With Jessie's editorial guidance, he grows from a tentative student into a celebrated literary voice.

Jean is a former French student of Jessie's who reconnects with her in New York as an aspiring writer. Having mixed-race ancestry, he prefers to identify strictly as an American writer rather than categorizing himself by race. He appreciates rigorous editing and values honest feedback over simple praise.

Countee is a shy 17-year-old poet and the son of a prominent Harlem reverend. While he is generally quiet and reserved, he shows immense confidence and enthusiasm whenever he discusses literature. He eagerly accepts Jessie's editorial guidance to improve his submissions.

Claude co-edits the rival publication The Liberator. He firmly believes that art should be focused on truth and beauty rather than existing solely as political propaganda. His artistic philosophy and friendly lunches with Jessie create fierce tension with Will.

Charlotte is a wealthy, eccentric white patron of the arts who takes an intense interest in financially supporting young Black writers. While generous with her vast resources, she holds problematic views about race and attempts to strictly dictate what her sponsored artists create.

Charles works for the Urban League and runs Opportunity magazine, positioning him as a professional peer and occasional competitor to Jessie's editorial efforts at The Crisis. He recognizes Jessie's central importance in building the Harlem literary community.

Augustus is the business manager at The Crisis. He handles the practical and financial side of the magazine's operations alongside Will and Jessie, often marveling at Jessie's rapid work pace.

Pocahontas works as a stenographer at The Crisis. She manages Will's complex daily schedule and aspires to improve her own writing skills under Jessie's gentle editorial guidance.

Reverend Cullen is the president of the Harlem branch of the NAACP and the preacher at Salem Methodist Church. He provides spiritual guidance to the community and encourages his son's literary talents.

Sadie is a former high school student of Jessie's who holds a PhD in economics. She faces severe professional discrimination despite her high academic achievements, struggling to find work commensurate with her education.

Arthur is Jessie's brother, who spends time working on academic projects in New York. He is highly protective of his sister's professional reputation and bluntly warns her to end her affair.