Mara

• Hometown: Detroit, U.S.
• Family: 3 members
• Originally lives in South Carolina, where she meets Sharon. She moves to the north when her father is relocated for work.
• In Detroit, she meets and befriends Kiara.

Sharon

• Hometown: Charleston, U.S.
• Family: 3 members
• She grows up in the southern U.S., where discrimination has once again reared its ugly head.
• She goes to a good school, and is teased for being black, but "acting white". She is determined to become a doctor.

Kiara

• Hometown: Detroit, U.S.
• Family: 3 members
• Her family flees unrest in South Africa and comes to the U.S.
• Kiara has a hard time adjusting until she makes friends with Mara.