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Nathan Thompson

Author/Publisher of ‘KINGS’

The True Story of Chicago’s Policy Kings and Numbers Racketeers An Informal History published by The Bronzeville Press

Nathan Thompson is a Chicago based writer whose works on Bronzeville and Policy have been published with the Chicago Defender and South Street Journal newspapers, and Source Magazine. As the Author and Publisher of ‘KINGS’: The True Story of Chicago’s Policy Kings and Numbers Racketeers, Mr Thompson has been featured in the Chicago SunTimes, on National Public Radio’s Tavis Smiley Show,  WVON Radio’s Cliff Kelley Show, Chicago Public Radio with Richard Steele, WTTW's Chicago Tonight, Pervis Spann's TV Show and numerous other radio, television and print media. Mr Thompson was the recipient of the 2005 BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARD from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. He was recently inducted into the Society of Midland Authors. The Illinois Journal of History’s review stated: “The author has preserved some of the story of Bronzeville that may otherwise have been missed.” Readers of all ages, all across America are discovering the hidden histories of Black communities known as Bronzeville USA.

Mr. Thompson's December 1997 Source Magazine feature story, “What The Movie 'Hoodlum' Didn't Tell You About the Policy Racket”, followed United Artists' release of the film which loosely depicts Harlem's Bumpy Johnson (Lawrence Fishburn) and his fight to keep the business established by Policy Queen Madam Stephanie St. Clair (Cicely Tyson) from being gangstered away by Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth). Thompson worked on the film as an extra, as he did in the numbers racket episode of the syndicated TV drama, “The Untouchables”. Thompson was the stand-in for Cuba Gooding Jr., who's character, Reggie Jones, was loosely based on the chronicles of real life Bronzeville Policy King Ed Jones.

Since the release in May 2003, “KINGS”, The True Story of Chicago’s Policy Kings and Numbers Racketeers, now in its third printing, has become a Best Seller, Critically Acclaimed and a Bonafide Classic! Civic groups and historians alike have consulted his research. He's been featured on FOX32 and NBC5 News, and has written for the Lakefront Outlook newspaper. He was a driving force in the fight to save many Bronzeville landmarks including the Palm Tavern, Metropolitan Community Church and the Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments-- commonly known as the Rosenwald Building.

Nathan Thompson’s book and his presentations have enlightened audiences and inspired lively discussions all across the country and the book is soon to be a motion picture!  ‘KINGS’ is available at your favorite bookstore or visit: POLICYKINGS.COM