Rowan Chase
Rowan Chase is a mixed black and white 17-year-old girl living in 1920s Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chase comes from a wealthy family, so she is surrounded mostly by white peers. This often makes her feel embarrassed, and she questions her worth because of the different colors of her skin.
Rowan dynamically becomes more comfortable with herself and her culture and tries to show the world that she is not so different after all. For example, she tries to help the community during Arvin's trial. Rowan discovers that history is rooted in the past and that things and people can change over time.
William Tillman
William Tillman was born in Delaware in 1834 as a free black American, of mixed race ancestry. Tillman was initially a cook but became a mariner during the American Civil War. He then S. J. Waring in July of 1861, deeming him a heroic status within the Union.
Rowan learns of Tillman while researching the history of her family's property. The life and story of Tillman help convince Rowan that history continues to move forward and that those of African ancestry have always had an important positive impact on the world.
James Galvez
James is one of Rowan's closest friends and is instrumental in discovering the story behind William Tillman and the grave on Rowan's property. James, also of African ancestry, is bitter about the differences between white and black people's lives. He notes how there are continuing disparities between the two groups, and is happy to find how the history of Tillman proves that the disparities are not based on merit.
