Notorious Figures in the Gambling World: An Astonishing Account of Criminal Mobster Stephanie St. Clair
In the heart of Harlem during the 1930s, Stephanie St. Clair, also known as the "Queenie," "Madam Queen," and "Queen of the Policy Rackets," reigned supreme. This prominent mobster was a powerful and influential figure who controlled the major numbers (illegal lottery) operation in Harlem, with Bumpy Johnson as her close associate and enforcer.
St. Clair's dominance in the Harlem underworld was significant. Before Bumpy Johnson ever touched the throne, she was a dominant power. Johnson later became the crime boss of Harlem, having worked closely with St. Clair and continued her legacy in the 1930s to 1960s era. Their partnership was emblematic of Black leadership and resistance within the criminal economy of Harlem.
St. Clair served as a mentor and protector figure to Bumpy Johnson, who rose to prominence under her patronage. Her activism and education efforts earned her respect and admiration from her peers in Harlem. She was not just a mobster, but also a community leader who protected Harlem's Black community through her control of the numbers racket and resistance against outside criminal encroachment.
One of St. Clair's most notable actions was taking on Dutch Schultz, a white racketeer. This confrontation cost her 820 days in jail and three-quarters of a million dollars. However, her stand against Schultz is her biggest legacy. She highlighted the racial motivation of Schultz's actions and encouraged her peers to support black-owned businesses.
St. Clair's early life is shrouded in mystery, with different accounts stating she was born in Guadeloupe or France. She arrived in New York during the Great Migration and settled in the African-American neighborhood of Harlem. St. Clair made a point of investing $10,000 to develop her own numbers racket, which attracted the unwanted attention of rival male racketeers, leading her to hire Bumpy Johnson as a bodyguard.
As her business grew, so did the threats to her life. Fearing for her safety, St. Clair handed her business over to her bodyguard-in-chief, Bumpy Johnson. This decision marked a turning point in the Harlem underworld, with Johnson becoming the new crime boss of Harlem.
Despite handing over her business, St. Clair's run-ins with the law increased. She was known for her frequent and entertaining newspaper ads. However, little is known about St. Clair's life after her release from prison.
St. Clair's criminal career involved associating with New York's famous figures, including civil rights activists and the heads of the mafia's Five Families. Her life was a testament to the resilience and determination of a woman in a male-dominated world, and her legacy continues to inspire today.
References: 1. TikTok: Stephanie St. Clair 2. Cirque Obscura: What was Bumpy Johnson locked up for? 3. Instagram Reel: Stephanie St. Clair 4. Instagram Post: Stephanie St. Clair 5. Various sources
- Stephanie St. Clair's influence extended beyond the Harlem underworld, as she was frequently associated with New York's prominent civil rights activists and the heads of the mafia's Five Families, making her a significant figure in the general news and crime-and-justice sections of blogs.
- Despite her criminal activities, Stephanie St. Clair was not only a formidable casino-and-gambling mogul during the 1930s to 1960s era but also a community leader who protected Harlem's Black community and advocated for black-owned businesses; her life story continues to be an inspiration today on various blogs and social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Cirque Obscura.
