David “King David” Barksdale: Founder of the Black Disciples and a Major Figure in Chicago Gang History

#KRITICIZM - David Barksdale, commonly known as “King David,” became one of the most influential street-gang leaders in Chicago history. He founded the organization that evolved into the Black Disciples and later formed an alliance with Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Gangsters.

Their partnership created the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, a powerful coalition that reshaped Chicago’s gang structure. Although Barksdale died at only 27 years old, his name, image and organizational influence remained deeply embedded in Chicago street culture for generations.

Moving From Mississippi to Chicago

Barksdale was born on May 24, 1947, in Sallis, Mississippi. His family later moved to Chicago during the Great Migration, when thousands of Black families left the South searching for employment and better opportunities in northern cities.

Chicago offered new possibilities, but many Black families encountered housing discrimination, overcrowded neighborhoods, poverty and limited access to economic resources. At the same time, established political organizations and street groups competed for influence across the city.

As a teenager, Barksdale became involved with a group known as the Devil’s Disciples. The organization operated primarily on Chicago’s South Side, particularly around Englewood and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Devil’s Disciples Become the Black Disciples

Barksdale rose into a leadership position and worked to unite smaller neighborhood groups under one organization. He became known for his physical presence, authority and ability to attract loyal followers.

By the mid-1960s, the Devil’s Disciples had evolved into the Black Disciples Nation. Barksdale was recognized by members as “King David,” a title that reflected his position at the top of the organization.

Under his leadership, the Black Disciples expanded across several South Side neighborhoods. The group became involved in conflicts with rival organizations, including the Black P. Stone Nation and Larry Hoover’s Supreme Gangsters.

These rivalries contributed to an escalating cycle of shootings, retaliation and neighborhood division.

Barksdale and Larry Hoover

Larry Hoover was another rising gang leader on Chicago’s South Side. He led the Supreme Gangsters, an organization that frequently fought against Barksdale’s Disciples.

After years of conflict, the two leaders reportedly agreed to a truce in 1969. Barksdale and Hoover combined their organizations to establish the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, commonly abbreviated as BGDN.

The alliance was intended to reduce fighting between their members while creating a larger and more disciplined organization. Barksdale and Hoover became the coalition’s principal leaders.

The merger gave the Black Gangster Disciple Nation influence over a large section of Chicago’s South Side. It also created a hierarchy, set of rules and collection of symbols that helped members identify with something larger than their individual neighborhoods.

However, the alliance did not eliminate street violence. Internal disputes, rivalries and criminal activity continued as the organization grew.

The Shooting That Damaged His Health

In 1968, before the formal alliance with Hoover, Barksdale survived a serious shooting. He was struck multiple times during an attack reportedly connected to Chicago gang rivalries.

Although he survived, the gunshot wounds caused lasting medical problems. Reports indicate that the damage to his body contributed to serious kidney complications.

Barksdale continued leading his organization while dealing with declining health. His survival added to his reputation and helped strengthen the “King David” image among his followers.

Death at 27 Years Old

David Barksdale died on September 2, 1974, at the age of 27. His death was attributed to kidney failure, reportedly worsened by complications from the earlier shooting.

His death created uncertainty within the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. Larry Hoover had already been imprisoned following a murder conviction, leaving the alliance without either of its original leaders operating freely on Chicago’s streets.

Hoover eventually became the most recognizable leader associated with the Gangster Disciples. Members who remained devoted to Barksdale’s identity and leadership traditions continued operating under the Black Disciples name.

Over time, the alliance fractured into separate organizations. The Gangster Disciples and Black Disciples eventually became rivals, leading to decades of conflict in Chicago.

The Black Disciples After Barksdale

The Black Disciples continued expanding after Barksdale’s death. Members preserved his memory through organizational teachings, symbols and annual observances.

Later generations frequently referred to him as the founder or “King” of the Black Disciples. The organization spread beyond its original South Side territory and developed factions in other neighborhoods and states.

The Black Disciples also became widely known through Chicago’s music scene. During the 2010s, rappers associated with neighborhoods identified with the organization brought additional attention to its name and history.

However, the publicity often obscured the consequences of gang conflict. Chicago families experienced generations of shootings, imprisonment and retaliation connected to divisions between street organizations.

A Complicated Legacy

David Barksdale remains a legendary figure within certain sections of Chicago street culture, but his story should not be reduced to mythology.

He demonstrated an ability to organize young people and negotiate an alliance with a former enemy. If those leadership qualities had been directed toward lawful community development, they might have produced a very different legacy.

Instead, the organization he helped build became associated with violence, narcotics trafficking and neighborhood conflict. The later rivalry between the Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples contributed to a cycle of retaliation that continued long after both Barksdale and the original alliance were gone.

Barksdale lived only 27 years, yet his influence survived for more than half a century. His story demonstrates how one young leader can shape an organization—but also how street power can produce consequences that extend across generations.

Sources include historical gang research cited by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and published accounts of Chicago’s Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples.