Guitar Bains Milkman's friend, confidant, and intellectual sparring partner. A street-wise hustler, skilled hunter, and political activist, Guitar's arrogance and skewed sense of justice leave little room for compromise.
Mrs. Bains One of Macon Dead's tenants. She is a proud woman struggling to survive amidst abject poverty while raising her two grandsons, one of whom is Guitar.
Henry Porter Another of Macon Dead's tenants. He and Corinthians eventually move in together as lovers.
Railroad Tommy and Hospital Tommy Owners of Tommy's Barbershop, located in Southside's Blood Bank district.
Feather Owner of Feather's Pool Hall, a Southside hangout for local residents.
Mary A barmaid and part owner of Mary's Bar and Lounge, another Southside hangout.
Empire State A World War I veteran. Empire State is a casualty of love and war who seeks refuge in silence and revenge. His name alludes to his behavior: "He just stood around and swayed."
Michael-Mary Graham The local poet who hires Corinthians as her maid.
Reverend Cooper A minister in Danville, Pennsylvania. He introduces Milkman to the group of old men who knew Milkman's grandfather, Jake, and who remember Macon and Pilate as children.
Esther Reverend Cooper's wife.
Nephew Reverend Cooper's nephew.
Circe The midwife who delivered Pilate and Macon and helped them escape following their father's murder by the Butlers, the wealthy white family that employed her as their housekeeper.
Solomon Owner of Solomon's General Store in Danville, Pennsylvania.
Omar, Calvin Breakstone, Small Boy, Luther Solomon Members of the hunting party who initiate Milkman into the rituals of the hunt and accept him as part of Danville's black community.
Sweet The young woman who introduces Milkman to the pleasures of reciprocal love.
Susan Byrd Daughter of Mary and Crowell Byrd, and granddaughter of Heddy Byrd, the Indian woman who adopts Jake after he is abandoned by his father, "the Flying African."
Sing Byrd (Singing Bird) Milkman's grandmother and Jake's wife.
Grace Long A friend of Susan Byrd who befriends Milkman when he visits Susan seeking information about his family.
