Barksdale Family Genealogy & History

David Barksdale, also known as King David, was a notable American gangster and activist from Chicago, Illinois. Born on May 24, 1947, he founded the Black Disciples and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation alongside Larry Hoover. Despite being arrested 25 times, Barksdale never faced serious convictions. His influence extended beyond crime, as he was involved in attempts to reduce gang violence. Tragically, he died on September 2, 1974, from kidney failure due to bullet wounds from a 1970 assassination attempt.

David Barksdale was born Donise David Barksdale in Sallis, Mississippi, to parents Virginia and Charlie Barksdale. He was the tenth of thirteen children. His family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1957, where he later established his formidable presence in the city's gang landscape.

Avon Randolph Barksdale is a central character in the critically acclaimed television series The Wire, recognized for his role as a powerful drug dealer in Baltimore, Maryland. Portrayed by Wood Harris, Barksdale leads the Barksdale Organization, a dominant force in West Baltimore's drug trade, with the help of his second-in-command, Stringer Bell. Known for his shrewd and intuitive nature, Barksdale maintains control over key territories, including the Franklin Terrace housing project and "the Pit." His operations are characterized by a strict discipline to evade law enforcement, making him a formidable antagonist in the series's first season.

D'Angelo Barksdale is a fictional character in the HBO series "The Wire," portrayed by Larry Gilliard Jr. As a lieutenant in Avon Barksdale's drug organization, D'Angelo operates in West Baltimore's high-stakes drug trade. Known for his internal conflict and moral struggles, he becomes an emblematic everyman caught between crime and conscience. Despite his role in significant events, such as the murders of Pooh Blanchard and Deirdre Kresson, D'Angelo's leadership in "The Pit" underscores his pivotal position within the drug empire. His relationships, including those with his girlfriend Donette and dancer Shardene Innes, highlight the personal challenges he faces.

Nathan "Bodie" Barksdale, born in 1961 and passing in 2016, was a notorious figure in Baltimore's criminal underworld, known primarily as a drug dealer and "stick up kid." His life inspired elements of the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, though creator David Simon disputes direct character correlations. Barksdale's criminal career included surviving 21 gunshots and a 15-year prison sentence for battery. Despite attempts at reform through work with Baltimore's Safe Streets program, he struggled with addiction and was eventually incarcerated again in 2014. His life story was the focus of the unreleased docudrama Baltimore Chronicles: Legends of the Unwired.

Barksdale was raised in the Lexington Terrace projects in Baltimore, and his family shared an interest in boxing. Despite his criminal activities, he had connections with his community, and interviews with family and friends feature in the docudrama about his life.