Within Our Gates

A determined young African-American woman who travels from the North to support a Black school in the South. Her mission to fund education triggers a longer journey through love, betrayal, and memory, as she confronts obstacles rooted in racism. The film reveals key moments from her past that shape her choices and sense of identity.

Sylvia’s North-area relative who is entangled in romantic rivalries with Conrad and in the plot to trap Sylvia. She shows protective but manipulative tendencies as she navigates loyalty, ambition, and jealousy within a tight-knit community.

A physician who becomes Sylvia’s ally and later her husband. He advocates pride in Black achievement and offers medical support during crises, serving as a conscience and romantic counterpart in the story.

A wealthy white landlord whose status and actions are tied to the era’s racial tensions. His name recurs through the mob violence that enables the Landry family’s tragedy, and his memory haunts the historical flashbacks.

Philip’s brother who assaults Sylvia and later becomes a pivotal figure in her family’s past. His actions catalyze revelations about lineage and the dangers of sexual violence.

A wealthy philanthropist who funds Sylvia’s mission, significantly increasing the school’s resources. Her generosity demonstrates how cross-class alliances can affect Black education and community uplift.

A minister who runs Piney Woods School, facing budget shortages and overcrowding. He represents spiritual leadership and the local community’s struggle to provide education for Black children.

Sylvia’s adoptive father whose name becomes entangled with a wrongful murder accusation and a mob killing that marks the family’s tragedy. His legacy fuels Sylvia’s distrust of justice and her determination to seek truth.

Sylvia’s brother who survives the mob violence and later appears in the narrative’s flashbacks. His presence anchors the Landry family’s memory and resilience.

Alma’s stepbrother who attempts to blackmail Sylvia and is fatally shot during a bank robbery. His arc highlights crime, desperation, and the consequences of betrayal within the community.