In Godfather of Harlem Season 4 Episode 3 – the question of Baldwin and Bumpy Johnson’s connection takes center stage

In Season 4, Episode 3 of Godfather of Harlem, titled “The Straw Man,” viewers are introduced to a tense interaction between James Baldwin (played by Michael Benjamin Washington) and Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker). The episode starts with Baldwin confronting Bumpy about his involvement in crime, while Bumpy, in turn, criticizes Baldwin’s judgment. Despite the tension, the two characters end up exchanging apologies and ideas by the episode’s end. But did the real-life figures, Baldwin and Johnson, ever meet or have a relationship?

Meanwhile, Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn) faces challenges in selling the drugs he stole from Vincent Gigante (Vincent D’Onofrio). When Bumpy finds out about Lucas’ betrayal, it leads to a heated confrontation between them. Needing help to move the drugs, Lucas turns to Joe Colombo (Michael Raymond-James) to strike a deal. Did these events actually take place in real life?

Stream Godfather of Harlem on Prime Video.

Let’s dive into what’s fact and what’s fiction in Godfather of Harlem Season 4, Episode 3.

Did James Baldwin and Bumpy Johnson Know Each Other?

In the episode, Baldwin attends a library event in Harlem, where he’s speaking to a mostly white audience. Bumpy and Mayme (Ilfenesh Hadera) are the only other Black attendees. Baldwin comments that the only Black men who own property in Harlem are the drug lords, and, in a tense moment, he calls out Bumpy for fitting that description. This confrontation doesn’t end well as Bumpy accuses Baldwin of undermining another Black man in front of white people.

Later, Baldwin seeks out Bumpy, who’s getting his shoes shined, and offers an apology. The two have a meaningful conversation, with Bumpy explaining his efforts to improve Harlem’s future after leaving the drug trade. Baldwin inspires Bumpy with a new idea for dealing with a problem involving a land developer, Fred Straub.

While James Baldwin and Bumpy Johnson both lived in Harlem during the same time period, there’s no documented evidence that they actually knew each other or interacted. Baldwin, who later moved to France, did not seem to have any recorded contact with Bumpy before or after his return to New York. While both men were prominent figures in Harlem, there is no clear evidence linking them in real life.

Did Frank Lucas Work with Joe Colombo?

In the episode, Frank Lucas is struggling to sell the drugs he stole from Vincent Gigante. He considers going to Bumpy for help but believes Bumpy wants nothing to do with him. Lucas then comes up with a plan to find an Italian who’s willing to work with Black men. He boldly walks into Joe Colombo’s territory and proposes a business deal. Colombo seems intrigued, but doesn’t immediately respond.

There is no documented proof that Frank Lucas ever worked directly with Joe Colombo. While both men were involved in criminal activities in New York, no historical records or sources indicate that they ever partnered up in real life. The show presents a dramatic interaction, but it appears to be a fictionalized part of the storyline.

Godfather of Harlem Season 4 continues to air on Sundays on Prime Video.