Wes is an 11-year-old boy entering the sixth grade. He loves fashion, playing video games, and spending time with his friends in his lifelong neighborhood of Kensington Oaks. Though initially unconcerned with community activism, he begins to pay close attention when a development company threatens to purchase and demolish his neighborhood. He is highly observant and prefers to think through problems logically.

Kari is a friend of Wes who is a year and a half older. After his parents' divorce, he moved into an apartment building that was subsequently purchased by a development group and demolished. Currently living in a hotel, Kari faces severe instability that affects his social life, clothing, and schooling.

Alyssa is a smart, responsible sixth-grader living in Kensington Oaks. She excels academically and takes a strong interest in social justice issues, particularly gender equality and healthcare disparities. She works closely with Wes to research the development company threatening their neighborhood.

Brent is Wes's closest friend. He is charismatic, relaxed, and skilled at finding the positive side of difficult situations. His family faces financial difficulties, making the development company's cash offer for their house particularly tempting to his parents.

Mya is a fun, organized girl who recently moved out of Kensington Oaks to a more affluent neighborhood. Because she has both Black and white heritage, she faces specific social challenges at her new, predominantly white school. She maintains a grudge against Kari over a past misunderstanding.

Jas is a quiet, musically talented boy living in Kensington Oaks. He often acts as a peacemaker within the friend group. He prefers to avoid conflict and readily volunteers to help with community events, often acting as a DJ.

Mrs. Henderson is Wes's mother and the director of the Kensington Oaks community board. She grew up in the neighborhood and values its history deeply. A former librarian, she possesses excellent research skills and actively advocates for preserving Black cultural heritage in her city.

Mr. Henderson is Wes's father. He is practical, supportive, and direct in his communication. He encourages Wes to look out for his friends and supports his wife's efforts to protect Kensington Oaks from corporate redevelopment.

Mr. Baker is the sixth-grade homeroom and social studies teacher. Despite rumors that he is strict, he is actually an engaging and supportive educator. He dresses sharply and assigns a major social justice project that sparks Wes's interest in local history.

Ms. Monica works for an organization called Save Our City. She advocates for neighborhoods facing gentrification and provides Wes with crucial information about how development companies operate and how to legally protect historic spaces.

Mr. Hank is an elderly widower living in Kensington Oaks. He treats Wes like family and relies on the neighborhood's tight-knit community for support. He firmly refuses to sell his house, valuing his relationships over money.

Ms. Tasha is Kari and Danica's mother. Following a divorce and the demolition of her apartment building, she works hard to find stable housing for her children, eventually relocating them to a cramped hotel room.

Danica is Kari's little sister. She moves into the hotel with her mother and brother after their apartment building is destroyed.

Ms. Hardy is the middle school math teacher. She employs strict teaching methods, such as requiring students to answer math questions in front of the class before sitting down, which causes Wes significant anxiety.

Officer Stewart is an unfamiliar police officer patrolling Kensington Oaks. He views the local youths with suspicion and aggressively questions them, creating an atmosphere of fear in a normally safe neighborhood.

Carla Glass is a representative for the Simmons Development Group. She attends neighborhood meetings to present cash offers to residents, aiming to purchase the entire area for luxury redevelopment.

Ms. Elise is a resident of Kensington Oaks and a member of the community board. She actively protests the Simmons Development Group by placing signs around the neighborhood, even when others vandalize them.

Drip is an older boy in the area who bullies younger children.

Mr. Reggie is an old friend of Wes's father. He sold his house in a gentrifying neighborhood and observes how the local high school only received renovations after wealthier, predominantly white residents moved in.