Harlem Shuffle Characters

Big Mike Carney is Raymond Carney’s father. Although Big Mike is deceased, Carney frequently speculates that he has inherited his father’s crooked nature because of his criminal inclinations. A violent and unstable man, Big Mike often abandoned Carney for long periods of time. He and Pepper sometimes worked together.

Alma Jones is Elizabeth’s mother and Leland Jones’s wife. Like her husband, Alma believes Elizabeth settled for Carney and frequently disdains his lack of social status. Although she herself is Black, Alma perceives herself as superior to Carney and other dark-skinned Black people.

Wilfred Duke is a wealthy Black banker and member of the Dumas Club. A friend of Leland, Duke fails to secure Carney a place in the club even after Carney pays him a $500 bribe. Duke’s betrayal leads Carney to lean into his crooked nature and plot his revenge.

Arthur is a middle-aged Black safecracker who participates in the Hotel Theresa heist with Miami Joe, Freddie, and Pepper. An inconspicuous man, Arthur is murdered by Miami Joe before he gets to achieve his dream of retiring in the countryside.

Rusty is Carney’s salesman at the furniture store. Originally from Georgia, Rusty is somewhat less sophisticated than Carney would like, but he is a loyal employee over the years.

Marie is Carney’s administrative assistant at the furniture store. She and Rusty turn a blind eye to their boss’s shadier clientele.

Aunt Millie is Freddie’s mother and Carney’s aunt. She raised Carney during Big Mike’s extended absence. Aunt Millie often worries Freddie will get himself into trouble.

Aronowitz is a White shop owner who deals with radios and other electronics. He repairs some of Carney’s gently-used items and occasionally sells them.

Buxbaum is a White man who buys stolen merchandise from Carney, including Lucinda Cole’s ruby necklace. After meeting Moskowitz, Carney learns that Buxbaum often paid him far less than his items’ true worth.

James Powell is a 15-year-old Black boy who is shot and killed by an off-duty police lieutenant although he is unarmed. Powell’s murder instigates widespread protest and rioting across Harlem for several days.

Terrance Pierce is a young Black lawyer who befriends Carney at a mixer for small business owners in Harlem. A passionate advocate for Black civil rights, Pierce ultimately becomes president of the Dumas Club.

Ambrose Van Wyck is Linus Van Wyck’s father and a powerful real estate mogul. After catching his son and Freddie robbing the family’s safe, Ambrose sends his lawyer, Ed Bench, and others to retrieve his stolen belongings (including the emerald necklace) through violent means.

Miss Laura is a sex worker employed by Cheap Brucie. She agrees to help Carney betray Wilfred Duke, who is one of her clients.

Delroy is a gangster who works for Chink Montague. He collects Carney’s protection money every week.

Zippo is a photographer who is friends with Freddie. Carney hires him to take photographs of Wilfred Duke in compromising positions after Miss Laura drugs him.

Mr. Gibbs is a regional sales representative for the furniture company Bella Fontaine. Carney’s meeting with Mr. Gibbs goes awry when police officers arrive at the store to question him about Freddie’s whereabouts.

Ed Bench is Ambrose Van Wyck’s lawyer. He confiscates the emerald necklace from Carney and oversees Freddie’s brutal beating.

Betty is a maid at the Hotel Theresa who is romantically involved with Miami Joe. Her insider knowledge of the hotel helps Joe, Freddie, Arthur, and Pepper plan the heist.

Cheap Brucie is an abusive pimp who employs Miss Laura. Carney engineers Cheap Brucie’s arrest in order to ruin Wilfred Duke’s life.

Alexander Oakes is an upper-class Black lawyer who grew up with Elizabeth on Strivers’ Row. Oakes is a member of the Dumas Club, which earns him Alma and Leland’s approval. Carney feels Oakes is in love with Elizabeth.

May Carney is Carney and Elizabeth’s daughter and John’s older sister.

John Carney is Carney and Elizabeth’s son and May’s younger brother.

Lucinda Cole is a dancer-turned-actress who was staying at the Hotel Theresa when it was robbed. Her boyfriend, Chink Montague, comes looking for Freddie and his accomplices, in search of Lucinda’s ruby necklace.