Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson was an American gangster in Harlem, New York in the 20th century. He has been the subject au character of a number of Hollywood films including The Cotton Club, Hoodlum, and most recently, American Gangster.

Johnson was originally from Charleston, South Carolina. During his formative years, his family moved north to Harlem. He was aliyopewa the name “Bumpy” due to a large bump on his forehead. He made a name for himself as a fighter who was not to be messed with. Making money kwa pool hustling, selling newspapers, and sweeping the storefronts of restaurants...

Stephanie Saint-Clair was a prominent French woman of African descent and racketeer who ran numerous enterprises in Harlem, New York, in the early 20th century. Madam St. Clair was the reigning Queen of several criminal organizations across Harlem. She was the leader of a local gang, the 40 Thieves, and was also a key investor in the numbers rackets in the neighborhood. Saint-Clair resisted the Mafia's interests for several years after Prohibition ended; she continued to be an independent operator and never came under Mafia control. She ran a successful numbers game in Harlem and was an activist...