Steph is a 16-year-old aspiring rapper from Bedford-Stuyvesant who is murdered shortly before the story begins. Known for his strong moral code, he actively encouraged his friends to pursue education and avoid neighborhood dangers. Though deceased, he remains a central presence as his friends and sister begin secretly marketing his recorded music under the pseudonym "the Architect."

Jasmine is Steph's 15-year-old sister who wears her late father's Africa-shaped medallion. She stands out from her peers due to her natural hair and her strong interest in politics and poetry. She agrees to help Quadir and Jarrell organize and sell Steph's music on the condition that they assist her in finding out who murdered him.

Quadir is a 16-year-old boy who aspires to become a writer or journalist so he can tell the true stories of his community. He lives outside the housing projects in a smaller apartment building and is currently being scouted to play basketball at a private prep school called Bishop. He frequently attempts to keep the peace among his friends while hiding his family's financial struggles.

Jarrell is a 16-year-old tech-savvy teenager who shares a cramped bedroom with his hyperactive younger twin brothers. He burns the initial copies of Steph's CDs using a stolen computer he purchased at a discount. He hopes to eventually gain enough wealth to help his community, a desire that causes him to idolize some of the neighborhood's flashier, wealthy figures.

Pierce Williams is an executive representative from Red Starr Entertainment. Having grown up in housing projects in Harlem, he leveraged his ear for talent into corporate success. He takes an immediate interest in Steph's music, demanding meetings with the elusive "Architect."

Mrs. Davis is the mother of Steph, Jasmine, and Carl. Having lost both her husband and her oldest son to violence, she copes with her intense grief by obsessively deep-cleaning their apartment and rapidly returning to work to pay the bills. She insists that her children stay out of the investigation and leave it to the police.

The deceased patriarch of the Davis family. Murdered prior to the story's events, his strong moral convictions deeply influence how his children view the world, justice, and their responsibility to their neighborhood.

Mack is a wealthy neighborhood resident who earns his money selling crack cocaine. He projects an image of generosity by purchasing ice cream for the local children with hundreds of dollars in cash, though some residents actively reject his charity. Jarrell initially views him as a success story.

Dante is a local teenager who operates on the periphery of the main friend group. He serves as an information hub in the neighborhood, connecting Quadir and Jarrell to local parties and music producers, while keeping a low profile regarding his own activities.

Quadir's girlfriend, a pretty and wealthy teenager who prioritizes her social life over the neighborhood's recent tragedy. She plans an elaborate sweet sixteen party with costume changes and choreography, frequently demanding expensive gifts and more attention from Quadir.

The youngest brother of Steph and Jasmine. Due to his young age, he does not process grief in the same heavy manner as his older siblings, bringing small moments of levity to the household.

A boy who works in electronics repair and has access to equipment that can burn mass copies of CDs. He agrees to help reproduce Steph's music, but uses the favor to pressure Jasmine about attending local meetings.

A rapper from Bed-Stuy who recently secured a record deal with Red Starr Entertainment after a single freestyle performance. He serves as proof to Quadir and Jarrell that local artists can achieve rapid success.

An adult music producer who operates a local recording studio near the site where Steph's body was discovered. He requires cash payment to remix the instrumentals for Steph's tracks.

Also known as Fletch, he serves as Pierce's assistant at Red Starr Entertainment. He recognizes the commercial potential in Steph's CD sales and encourages Pierce to keep pursuing the mysterious "Architect."

A police officer with the New York Police Department. His contact information provides a rare link between the neighborhood teenagers and formal law enforcement.