When and where did the Black Spades form in 1968?
The Black Spades formed in 1968 at the Bronxdale Houses of the Soundview section in the Bronx. They officially took shape at Junior High School 123 on Morrison Avenue.
Common questions about Black Spades
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded the Black Spades and what was their original mission?
Disco King Mario and David Brockington founded the Black Spades to serve as a community defense force. Their original mission was to police and protect the Bronxdale Houses from drug dealers and heroin addicts.
When did the Black Spades transition from community protection to a street gang?
The Black Spades transitioned from community protection to a street gang by the early 1970s. This shift occurred when younger members known as the Young Spades and Baby Spades embraced unchecked violence and Monk became the supreme president.
How did the Black Spades influence the birth of Hip Hop culture?
The Black Spades influenced the birth of Hip Hop culture through members like Afrika Bambaataa who joined the Young Spade 1st division 1st chapter. In 1977 on the 12th of November Bambaataa formed the Universal Zulu Nation drawing members from the Black Spades to join his new organization.
Where did the Black Spades expand to during the late 1980s?
The Black Spades expanded beyond the Bronx to reach Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Rochelle, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut by the late 1980s. During this period the demographic of the gang shifted with Latino and white members becoming more common.
What is the current status of the Black Spades in 2022?
In early 2022 a resurgence of Black Spades members emerged in the River Park Towers housing complex of the West Bronx. The group is now known as TBS New Direction and operates as a community service group championing anti-violence initiatives.