'Lois is an observant, pre-teen Black girl living a comfortable, sheltered life in Toledo, Ohio. She deeply loves her tight-knit community but feels apprehensive when her parents clash over a new luxury vehicle. Her sheltered perspective begins to crack when her father plans a potentially dangerous family road trip to Mississippi.

Wilbert is a successful Black man who migrated from the South to Ohio. He purchases a flashy car to celebrate his achievement of the American dream, despite the financial strain it causes his marriage. He is proud and determined, choosing to be honest with his daughters about the prejudices they face.

Dee is a strong, practical woman who prioritizes saving for a new home over flashy status symbols. She holds significant influence in her household and consistently looks out for the physical and financial security of her family. When her husband insists on a risky drive to Mississippi, she firmly decides the whole family will stick together.

Wilma is 'Lois's sister, sharing in the initial excitement of the gold vehicle and the strong bonds of their neighborhood. She often acts in unison with 'Lois early on, representing the shared innocence of their childhood in the North.

Halton is a relative living in Memphis who drives a sensible, nondescript Chevy. He represents the extended family network that Wilbert and his family rely on for support.