Kitty is Clare's mother. She is lighter skinned than her daughter, and she embraces her black heritage.
Boy is Clare's father. Like his wife he has light skin. Unlike Kitty, however, Boy sees his blackness as a handicap and strives to be as "white" as he possibly can.
Jennie is Clare's sister, and she absorbs her mother's teachings. Clare, however, initially absorbs her father's teachings..... at least until her own experiences lead to to understand the things that her mother believes.
No Telephone to Heaven