Minor Characters in Makena's Story

These are minor characters in the Makena Williams book.

Ms. Allyn

A substitute teacher for Makena's algebra class. She not only mispronounces Makena's name, but calls Makena by Adeline's name and when she is corrected, sharply tells them to stop disrupting class dismissively.

Luke Brown

A new neighbor of the Williams family who calls the police when he sees Amari and Makena trying to get into their own home.

Alex Cook

Makena's uncle. He was head chef at the family restaurant, Cook's Kitchen. When his parents retired, he took over ownership; however, the pandemic let to him having to close the restaurant and he now runs a food truck, Cruisin' Cook. He also volunteers at the food pantry at Riverfront Community Center.

Belinda Cook

Makena's aunt, also known as Auntie Bling. She is a stylist in Los Angeles and her opinion on on clothing means a lot to Makena. When Makena was four, Belina took a trip to Ghana and brought back a kente cloth dress for Makena, explaining that every kente pattern has a special meaning; Makena loved the dress so much she wore it to preschool every day.

She is friends with the founder of Harlem's Fashion Row, Brandice Henderson-Daniel.

Gran Cook

Makena's maternal grandmother. With retirement, she has more time to work on her needlework such as knitting and embroidery.

Rudy Cook

Makena's grandfather, known as Grandad. He and his wife owned a restaurant, Cook's Kitchen, for over forty years before retiring a few years ago and moving to North Carolina.

Dahlia

The head of the Riverfront Community Center. She is tiny with bright eyes.

Mr. Djondo

Makena's algebra teacher at Aspire Academy. His last name is pronounced jondo; the D is silent.

Ms. Jacobs-Lee

Makena's homeroom and social studies teacher at Aspire Academy.

Adeline Joseph

Makena's new friend; she wears her hair in Bantu knots. Makena meets her on the first day at Aspire Academy when Makena is trying to find her way around and Adeline sees they have two of the same classes together; she also follows her on Instagram, which is how she recognizes Makena.

Jerome

One of Makena's neighbors. He is Black and wears dreadlocks; he is married to Stella, and they pair work as artists in their house which has a kiln.

Mr. Scott

The crossing guard near Makena's house on her walk to school.

Stella

One of Makena's neighbors. She is White, wears glasses, and is married to Jerome, and an artist with him; she is giving Makena pottery lessons.

Amari Williams

Makena's eleven year old sister. She is slightly taller than Makena and plays basketball.

Chandra Williams

Makena's mother, a librarian (maiden name Cook). She is the one member of her family that doesn't like to cook.

When she was younger she made her own dashiki for a seventh grade talent show and recited a poem by Nikki Giovanni.

Tony Williams

Makena's father. He helps Makena and Amari with crafts and school projects.

Najee Warren, Jr.

Makena's friend; he wears glasses and has thick curly hair that he's trimmed into a fade from an afro. His name is pronounced nah-jay, and he is named after his father. He lives with his mother Jane and younger sister; both his parents were in the Army in Iraq, and his father was killed. Makena has known him since kindergarten and they'd gone to school together (until it went remote). His mother was laid off during the pandemic; she caught Covid and he and his sister spent time in Brooklyn while she recovered, so Makena had not seen him for a year.