The daughter of an affluent Black family in New England and a survivor of a childhood home invasion that killed her brother. As an adult, she is an editor navigating a high-profile life and an upcoming wedding to a wealthy white man.

Ebby’s beloved older brother and a central figure in the family's history. His tragic death at age fifteen during a robbery serves as the catalyst for the family's enduring grief.

Ebby and Baz’s mother, a resilient woman attempting to hold her family together after unspeakable tragedy. She is protective of her daughter and deeply invested in maintaining the family's dignity amidst public scrutiny.

Ebby’s father, a successful man who carries the heavy burden of his son's unsolved murder. He often struggles with his grief in silence while trying to support his surviving child.

Ebby’s fiancé, hailing from an old, wealthy, white banking family. His high-profile romance with Ebby draws media attention leading up to their wedding.

An enslaved potter living in the 19th century who creates the stoneware jar that becomes the Freeman family’s most treasured heirloom. His story reveals the origins of the object that connects the generations.

An enslaved ancestor of the Freeman family who makes a daring escape to freedom in the North. He carries with him the stoneware jar created by Moses, establishing the legacy that Ebby grapples with.

A woman Ebby encounters in France under unexpected circumstances. Her presence complicates Ebby's attempt to escape her recent past and forces her to confront unresolved questions.