Evelyn is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Spanish Harlem who actively tries to distance herself from her Puerto Rican heritage. She insists on being called Evelyn rather than her given name, Rosa, and she styles her room in neutral beige tones to avoid cultural markers. She works at a local retail shop to avoid working at her family's bodega and frequently attempts to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Mrs. Serrano is Evelyn's hardworking, delicate mother who co-runs a local bodega seven days a week. She maintains a highly practical and conservative lifestyle, keeping her hair in a tight bun and avoiding makeup. She attempts to create stability and mask underlying family tensions by meticulously caring for their home, crocheting rugs, and avoiding conflict with figures of authority.

Abuela is Evelyn's flamboyant maternal grandmother who arrives unexpectedly from Puerto Rico with an overflow of belongings. She defies traditional expectations with her vibrant clothing and elaborate makeup, standing in sharp contrast to her daughter's conservative style. She brings stories of her youth and historical activism into the household, challenging the family's quiet status quo.

Angel is a neighborhood boy who spends time with Evelyn on the local rooftops and in the park. He lives in a difficult home environment where he faces physical reprimands from his father. Despite his playful exterior, he relies heavily on the safety and support provided by community services.

Wilfredo is the brother of Evelyn's friend Migdalia and is involved with the local activist group, the Young Lords. He expresses frustration when Evelyn refuses to duplicate a restricted key for him, opting to buy a crowbar instead. His association with political activists draws heavy suspicion from older, conservative community members like Evelyn's mother.

Migdalia is Evelyn's friend in El Barrio who accompanies her to local events. She has a strong sense of community belonging and refers to the neighborhood residents collectively when discussing local issues.

He co-owns and runs the local bodega alongside Mrs. Serrano. He holds highly conservative views regarding the young activists in the neighborhood, warning Evelyn to stay away from them.

Señor Santiago is Angel's father, who sells goods on the street to make a living. He faces systemic harassment from authorities and maintains a harsh, physically reprimanding demeanor toward his son.

Lydia is Evelyn's Dominican colleague at the local retail shop. She attempts to connect with Evelyn over their shared Latinx background, but her friendly advances are met with curt dismissal.

Mr. Simpson is the manager at the shop where Evelyn works. He displays irritation toward the local protests and disrespects his Latinx employees.

Dolores is one of Evelyn's coworkers. She lives in an apartment filled with liberal decor and hosts intellectual discussions about civil rights movements, offering Evelyn a glimpse into a different way of living.

Don Juan is Abuela's partner, whom she knew during their childhood in Puerto Rico. He moved to the United States to assist his struggling family and maintains a lively, chaotic household with Abuela.

Emilio is Evelyn's grandfather and Abuela's husband. He was significantly older than Abuela when they married and worked as a policeman in Puerto Rico during a time of intense political turmoil, including the Ponce Massacre.