Emma Lou is a young Black woman from Boise, Idaho, who struggles with the deep-seated colorism present in her family and community. Born with a dark complexion in a family of lighter-skinned relatives, she internalizes this prejudice and seeks out a more accepting environment, first in Los Angeles and later in Harlem. She possesses her own biases and faces significant personal challenges on her path to self-discovery.

Alva is a dapper, light-skinned Harlemite with broad shoulders who works as a presser in a costume house. He is charismatic and sociable, frequenting the neighborhood's clubs and cabarets. Despite his charm and willingness to date women with dark complexions, he struggles with alcohol addiction and frequently manipulates his romantic partners for financial support.

Hazel is a young Black student at the University of Southern California who possesses a dark complexion and a loud demeanor. She is shunned by many of her peers, including Emma Lou, who associate her behavior with harmful stereotypes and view her as unrespectable. Despite her boisterous public presence, she maintains a generous spirit.

Samuel and Maria are Emma Lou's maternal grandparents, who moved from Kansas to Boise to escape discrimination. Maria, the leader of the local "blue veins" society, prides herself on her mixed ancestry and light skin, passing down deeply ingrained prejudices to her descendants. They establish the colorist standards that heavily influence their family.

Arline is a white actress starring as Carmen in a local production set in Harlem. She shows an interest in the "authentic" Black experience, though her stage productions rely heavily on problematic stereotypes. She hires Emma Lou to work as her personal maid and introduces her to the Harlem cabaret scene.

Braxton is Alva's vain, fun-loving roommate who fancies himself a Black silent-film star. Having been cut off financially by his family, he struggles with gambling and relies on his romantic partners for support. He openly embraces racist beauty standards and expresses scorn for women with darker skin tones.

Geraldine is a woman with light skin and straight hair who moves to the city and becomes involved with Alva. She serves as a contrast to Emma Lou, fitting into Harlem's colorist social circles more easily and accompanying Alva to public social events.

Gwendolyn is a recent Howard University graduate who moves to New York to teach. Raised to treat all Black Americans equally regardless of complexion, she introduces Emma Lou to respectable church circles and literary societies, though she harbors her own hidden biases.

Benson is a business student and the son of a preacher-turned-Pullman-porter. He embodies the politics of Black respectability with his polite, predictable demeanor, appealing to Emma Lou primarily because of his light skin and upright reputation.

Kitchen is a white writer married to actress Clere Sloane. He harbors a keen fascination with Black life and intellectuals in Harlem, actively encouraging Emma Lou to return to school and pursue a career in teaching.

Jane is Emma Lou's mother, who shares the deeply ingrained colorist views of her own parents. She frequently worries about her daughter's marriageability and social standing due to her dark complexion.

Joe is Emma Lou's uncle, who stands out as the only member of her immediate family who does not judge her for her dark skin. He encourages her to seek a more open-minded environment away from Boise.

Weldon is a newcomer to Boise aiming to earn money for medical school. He is a dark-complexioned young man with a history of philandering who becomes Emma Lou's first romantic interest before deciding to leave town for work.

Truman is a young, intellectual writer and former classmate of Emma Lou's at USC. He speaks openly and philosophically about the roots of prejudice within communities during social gatherings in Harlem.

Clere is a former actress who hires Emma Lou. She treats Emma Lou more as a companion than a servant, providing her with a stable and comfortable working environment that supports her personal growth.

Anise is a recent arrival to Harlem who briefly supports Braxton financially. Unwilling to tolerate his continuous philandering, she quickly ends their relationship and forces him to fend for himself.