While growing up within a loving African American family, a little boy develops a deep understanding of right and wrong and the responsibility that accompanies his choices. Some forty years later, Rohillio Jabel recognizes that it is only through God's grace and mercy that he has been successful in life. Buoyed by his ideals, innovative ideas, and commitment to helping those less fortunate than himself, Rohillio begins to rise in his south New Jersey community.

Rohillio, now known as "the Citizen," is disenchanted about the biases that plague the American justice system and tired of belonging to a powerless race. Determined to change the black experience for the better, Rohillio recruits eight people-including ministers, a college professor, a teacher, a banker, a beautician, and drug dealers-to help him in his mission to start a new political movement that he hopes will transform their town. But as the eclectic group attempts to fulfill Rohillio's mission, it soon becomes evident that their road to success will be lined with many more challenges than they ever imagined.

The Citizen Rising shares the tale of one man's journey to change the mind-set of a city with the help of a group of black citizens determined to help him realize his dream.