The Black American Gangsters

Name: Stanley Tookie Williams
Reign: 1970’s
Business: Street Crime
Region: L.A.
Claim to Fame: Most notorious member of the Crips, later nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Downfall: The Crips' strength led to the formation of rival gangs and violent turf wars.
Sentence: Death
Status: Dead
Lesson: Sometimes it is too late to turn over a new leaf.



Name: “Freeway” Ricky Ross
Reign: 1980’s
Business: Crack
Region: South Central L.A.
Claim to Fame: Blamed the CIA for pouring drugs into Black communities
Downfall: He was set up by his own dealer, who became a government agent.
Sentence: Life, later reduced to 18 yrs.
Status: Imprisoned
Lesson Learned: Sometimes taking the business international is a no-no.



Name: Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols
Reign: 1980’s
Business: Heroin and Cocaine
Region: Queens
Claim to Fame: His henchmen cold-bloodedly shot a young, White beat cop in 1988, leader of the infamous Seven Crowns gang
Downfall: The cop killing roused President Bush and the FBI, who tapped his sister's phone lines
Sentence: 25 years, plus
Status: could be released in 2015
Lesson Learned: Don’t kill cops.





Name: Leroy “Nicky” Barnes
Reign: 1970’s
Business: Heroin
Region: Harlem
Claim to Fame: Graced the cover of “ New York Times Magazine” as Mr. Untouchable
Downfall: Convicted of racketeering
Sentence: Life in prison
Status: Released and living under the witness protection program
Lesson Learned: If you’re on trial, stay off of magazine covers.






Name: Troy and Dino Smith
Business: Thefts and Robberies
Reign: 2000's
Region: San Francisco
Claim to Fame: The two stole $6 million in merchandise from a jewelry store.
Downfall: The brothers were extremely flamboyant, drawing attention to their dishonest activities
Sentence: Dino, 23 years; Troy, recently convicted
Status: Imprisoned
Lesson Learned: “Set It Off” and “Dead Presidents” are not How-To videos.





Name: The Chambers Brothers
Reign: 1980’s
Business: Crack
Region: Detroit
Claim to Fame: From modest beginnings, they became successful business men.
Downfall: Their associates testified against them in plea bargains.
Sentence: Billy Joe, 27 years and $500,000 fine; Larry, life in prison and $250,000 fine
Status: Billy Joe could be released in 2015
Lesson Learned: Entrepreneurship is good, but not in illegal businesses.