Nella is a 26-year-old editorial assistant at Wagner Books, where she is currently the only Black woman on her floor. She wants to increase diversity in the publishing industry but faces constant microaggressions from her white coworkers. She struggles with feelings of racial alienation and deeply values her connections with other Black women.

Hazel is the newly hired editorial assistant at Wagner Books, bringing a stylish, unapologetic presence to the predominantly white office. She quickly forms a bond with Nella over natural haircare and shared literature. However, her ability to effortlessly code switch and charm their white superiors soon introduces professional friction between the two women.

Kendra Rae is a brilliant and highly visible literary editor who achieved massive success at Wagner Books in the early 1980s. Following a controversial interview where she criticized the racist structures of the publishing industry, she faces intense media backlash and fears she is being hunted, leading to her sudden disappearance from public life.

Diana is the bestselling author of Burning Heart and a longtime friend of Kendra Rae Phillips since their girlhood. While Kendra Rae challenges the publishing industry's racism directly, Diana is highly pragmatic. She is willing to compromise her personal values to maintain her commercial success and corporate standing.

Richard is the imposing, influential owner of Wagner Books. He represents the systemic power of the publishing world, eager to capitalize on diversity initiatives for good public relations and commercial gain while maintaining tight control over his corporate hierarchy.

Shani is a young Black woman who recently relocated to New York City from Boston after her magazine career was abruptly derailed. Outraged by her experiences, she joins an underground organization to track the movements of women she believes are undermining others in corporate workplaces.

Vera is a senior editor at Wagner Books and Nella's direct supervisor. While she views herself as a progressive liberal, she frequently commits racial microaggressions and prioritizes the comfort of her white authors over the valid concerns of her Black employees.

Malaika is Nella's best friend and primary confidante outside the publishing industry. She provides Nella with a grounded perspective, unwavering support, and a safe space to share experiences regarding natural haircare, dating, and workplace discrimination.

Colin is the fussy, eccentric white author of the upcoming novel Pins and Needles. He responds with intense fragility and defensiveness when Nella points out that his sole Black character relies on harmful stereotypes.

Owen is Nella's white boyfriend, a supportive partner who treats her seriously and attempts to understand her struggles. However, his limited understanding of systemic racism occasionally causes friction in their relationship when he equates his own minor inconveniences with her daily experiences.

Lynn is the leader of an underground group tracking the behavior of certain Black women in corporate spaces. She operates with intense paranoia, demanding strict adherence to her organization's bureaucratic rules and espionage tactics.

C.J. is a young Black man working in the mailroom at Wagner Books to support his nieces and nephews. He shares a quiet camaraderie with the other Black employees in the building, though Hazel quickly wins him over.

India is the Black receptionist at Wagner Books. While she usually maintains a professional distance from the white employees, she quickly forms a warm connection with Hazel after receiving a thoughtful gift.

Sophie is a white editorial assistant at Wagner Books known as a "Cubicle Floater." She frequently attempts to signal her social awareness to Nella but often ends up delivering tone-deaf microaggressions instead.

Imani is a childhood friend of Diana Gordon and Kendra Rae Phillips. Holding a PhD in chemistry, she approaches racial struggles from a clinical perspective, attempting to develop chemical solutions to ease the stress of working in white environments.

Jesse is a prominent radical blacktivist and social media personality known for his unapologetic critiques of systemic racism. Wagner Books attempts to recruit him for a new publishing project.

Will is a handsome Black man who acts as a gatekeeper for an underground organization operating out of a Harlem barbershop. He also occasionally conducts field assignments for the group.

Pam is the Chilean woman who cleans the Wagner Books building after hours. She works quietly around the editors who frequently stay late.

Juanita is the Dominican American owner of Curl Central, a popular natural hair cafe in Manhattan. She provides the venue for Hazel's professional and social gatherings.

Manny is a handsome man introduced as Hazel's boyfriend. He is also the brother of Juanita Morejón, connecting Hazel to the popular Curl Central cafe.

Elroy is Diana Gordon's supportive husband. He praises his wife's brilliance and literary success, largely unaware of the brewing scandal surrounding her co-editor.

Trace is Kendra Rae Phillips's sister. She serves as Kendra Rae's only remaining connection to her past, occasionally trying to coax her sibling out of total isolation.