Black Gangster Disciples

The Black Gangster Disciples (B. G. D.) are a drug gang with affiliates operating in the Birmingham area. The gang is affiliated with the Gangster Disciples and the national "Folk Nation" originating in Chicago's south side. David Barksdale founded the Black Gangster Disciples in the early 1960s at the Cabrini Green public housing project to oppose the violent Vice Lords. The group later split into two factions. Larry Hoover heads the Gangster Disciples, and Jerome Freeman leads the Black Disciples.

Members of the gang dress in blue and black and wear hats with brims cocked to the right. The letters "BGD" or the cipher 274 are seen in their graffiti tags, which usually feature crossed pitchforks and a 6-pointed star to honor "King David" and the six principles of life, loyalty, knowledge, wisdom, understanding and love.