Queenie – Godmother of Harlem

Queenie isn’t my typical go to graphic novel. Having grown up in NYC and a frequent visitor to Harlem the subject of the graphic novel hit a cord with with.

So how do you take a real figure and dramatize it enough to create a graphic novel? Levy does the heavy lifting of taking this remarkable woman’s life and condensing all the facets of her life into a clear engaging read. I flew through this graphic novel,wanting to know more of our protagonist. Levy made sure to not only show how Stephanie St. Clair ruled Harlem but also tidbits of her past and how she evolved into that person. St. Clair’s past is filled numerous bits of tragedy that hardened her to not only survive but to also strive for more. Even though she conducted illegal activities she also was involved in pure charity and was looked at as a figure for good by her Harlem neighbors.

Stephanie St. Clair, also known as “Queen of the Policy Game” or “The Queen of Numbers,” was a Harlem-based businesswoman and gambling racketeer. She was one of the most powerful and successful African Americans in New York City in the early 20th century.

In the 1920s, St. Clair was one of the most powerful women in Harlem. She owned a fleet of luxury cars and a mansion in the Sugar Hill district. She was also a major benefactor of the Harlem community, donating money to schools, hospitals, and other institutions.
However, St. Clair’s success also made her a target of the law. She was arrested several times on charges of gambling and racketeering. In 1931, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
After her release from prison, St. Clair continued to operate her gambling business. She also became involved in politics, and was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1938.
St. Clair died in 1961 at the age of 63. She was a controversial figure, but she was also a pioneer for African American women in business and politics.
St. Clair’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. She was a criminal, a politician, and a philanthropist. She was a controversial figure, but she was also a pioneer for African American women in business and politics.

The graphic novel is beautiful to look at and takes care to give distinction to each real life character and historic location. Although just black and white, that choice makes the book feel even more dedicated to telling of a story in the past. Although this book isn’t my choose genre I highly recommend reading it. A fascinating read of a historical figure that will not be taught in regular curriculum and an example of what was possible for a black woman in the 1920’s.