The story, set in Kansas during the 1920's, covers less than a year in the life of a black teenager, and documents the veritable deluge of events which force him into sudden manhood. The family relationships and enmities, the fears, frustrations and ambitions of the black teenager in small-town America are explored with a strong statement about human values.
| Directing | Gordon Parks | Director |
| Writing | Gordon Parks | Screenplay |
| Writing | Gordon Parks | Novel |
| Sound | Gordon Parks | Original Music Composer |
| Art | Edward D. Engoron | Production Design |
| Production | Gordon Parks | Producer |
| Editing | George R. Rohrs | Editor |
| Production | Jimmy Lydon | Associate Producer |
| Art | Joanne MacDougall | Set Decoration |
| Camera | Burnett Guffey | Director of Photography |
| Costume & Make-Up | Wayne Reed | Costumer |
| Writing | Genevieve Young | Story Consultant |
| Costume & Make-Up | George Bau | Makeup Artist |
| Sound | George Hause | Sound Recordist |
| Sound | Robert J. Miller | Sound Mixer |
