The Most Dangerous Black Organization in New Orleans History: Led by Sam “Scully” Clay, El Broadnax, and Glenn Metz

New Orleans has long been a city of layered histories—culture, resilience, struggle, and survival woven tightly together. Beneath its music and traditions, however, lies a darker chapter shaped by underground power structures that rose during eras of poverty, segregation, and limited opportunity. Among them, one Black criminal organization is often described as the most dangerous in the city’s history, defined by the leadership of Sam “Scully” Clay, El Broadnax, and Glenn Metz.

Their names remain etched into New Orleans street lore not because of myth alone, but because of the scale, discipline, and fear associated with the organization they led.

Origins in a City Under Pressure

The organization emerged during a time when New Orleans’ housing projects—most notably areas like the Calliope—were shaped by systemic neglect, unemployment, and aggressive policing. In these conditions, informal economies flourished. What began as neighborhood-based hustling evolved into something far more organized, structured, and ruthless.

Sam “Scully” Clay, El Broadnax, and Glenn Metz were not merely participants; they were architects. Each brought a different strength to the table—strategy, enforcement, and expansion—forming a leadership core that transformed localized crime into a powerful operation.

Leadership That Built Power

Sam “Scully” Clay was widely regarded as a commanding presence. His leadership style emphasized authority and control, setting the tone for how the organization handled loyalty and disobedience. Scully’s name alone carried consequences, reinforcing the idea that respect was mandatory, not optional.

El Broadnax, often described as the financial engine, helped elevate the organization into an empire. Under his influence, operations expanded and profits multiplied. At the height of his reign, the organization’s reach and revenue were rumored to be enormous, reflecting a level of organization rarely seen in New Orleans at the time.

Glenn Metz completed the triangle of power. Known for enforcement and fearlessness, Metz embodied the violent edge that protected the organization’s interests. His reputation ensured that rivals, and even allies, understood the cost of betrayal or disrespect.

Together, these three leaders created a hierarchy that functioned with military-like discipline—one that thrived on fear, loyalty, and efficiency.

Why the Organization Was So Dangerous

What made this organization especially dangerous was not just violence, but structure. Unlike loosely connected street crews, this group operated with clear rules, chains of command, and consequences. Violence was not random—it was strategic. That calculation allowed the organization to dominate territory, silence rivals, and resist outside threats longer than most.

Their influence extended beyond the streets into prisons, where reputations followed them behind the walls. Control did not end with incarceration; it adapted, reinforcing the organization’s reach and mystique.

Impact on the Community

While the organization brought wealth and power to a select few, the broader impact on New Orleans was devastating. Neighborhoods were flooded with drugs, cycles of violence intensified, and generations were pulled into a system that offered fast money but short futures.

At the same time, the organization’s rise exposed uncomfortable truths: when legitimate opportunities are absent, illegitimate systems often fill the void. The power these leaders wielded was as much a product of environment as it was ambition.

Legacy and Reflection

Today, the names Sam “Scully” Clay, El Broadnax, and Glenn Metz still surface in conversations about New Orleans’ most dangerous era. Their organization is remembered not only for its dominance, but for what it represented—a shadow government born from neglect, enforced through fear, and sustained by desperation.

Their story is not one of glorification, but of warning. It illustrates how unchecked power, even when born from survival instincts, can devastate the very communities it claims to protect.

The most dangerous Black organization in New Orleans history did not rise by accident. Under the leadership of Sam “Scully” Clay, El Broadnax, and Glenn Metz, it became a force defined by discipline, violence, and influence. Understanding this chapter of New Orleans history is essential—not to celebrate it, but to confront the conditions that allowed it to exist and to ensure that future generations are offered paths that do not lead to the same destructive ends.