From his humble beginnings as the son of a poor sharecropper, Tobie Gene became the founder and president of the nation's most elite exclusively black motorcycle club. Their founder, Tobie Gene Levingston, remained president until his death last year. The bakery’s website says its founder, Kim Clark, is proud of that fact because his family benefited from the Panthers’ free breakfast program as kids. The colors and shape of the early-style jacket emblem (prior to 1953) were copied from the insignias of the 85th Fighter Squadron and the 552nd Medium Bomber Squadron.. As her posh lifestyle and public reputation get … The East Bay Dragons motorcycling club was founded by Tobie Gene Levingston in the sixties, when a black man riding a Harley Davidson was unheard of. February 13, 2017. Instead, the event was canceled at the last minute, after the Dragons had spent thousands in fees and planning. Before Rosa Parks took her historic bus ride and before Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Huey P. Newton and the Black Panthers stood bravely for equal rights, the East Bay Dragons MC risked life and limb during the days when it was a revolutionary act for … Hours. “They’d only talk about the good things they do and how they are positive role models for our children.”, Insane Throttle Support Club – Become a member Now, Insane Throttle/Motorcycle Madhouse Radio YouTube and Audio Disclaimer, Meet the Insane Throttle Contributing Columnist James “Hollywood” Macecari, Motorcycle Clubs Riding Clubs and Associations Near Me Index & Listings, Our Policies here at Insane Throttle Publications. East Bay Dragons. The fairgrounds’ CFO, Mike Ioakimedes, said he has not yet reviewed the suit with his attorney and declined to comment. Now the club is suing to recoup those funds, which includes cash to pay for the planned list of featured rappers, singers, and comedian: Whodini, Too Short, Doug E Fresh, Richie Rich, Dru Down, Tony Tone Toni, and Mark Curry, according to the civil complaint. Four Dragons rode by on matching black-framed Harley Davidson choppers — so called because they had been stripped of any unnecessary parts, brought down to the bare frame with only the tank, headlight and … Here's a slice of underground American and African-American history you're unlikely to read in any history book. complex At more than 2,000 members, the Bandidos are one of the largest gangs in America. “If you came out here and talked to folks, no one is going to say anything negative about the East Bay Dragons,” Reid said. It was around 1960. Police released new photos-Photos show members of the Hell’s Lovers Motorcycle Club who allegedly witnessed the killing. As a result of this, the suit alleges, fairgrounds staff invented the ruse that there was a credible threat to the safety of the event, “but there was no credible threat at all.”. Headquartered in Oakland, California the East Bay Dragons have secured their place as modern urban folk heroes alongside the Hell's Angels, the Oakland Raiders, and the Black Panthers. VALLEJO, CA — The East Bay Dragons, the first all-Black motorcycle club to exist in the Bay Area, has filed a federal lawsuit against Solano County alleging that a county employee concocted a reason to cancel a planned club event at the fairgrounds after hearing that one of its members had associations with the Black Panthers. Page TransparencySee More. He was 86. Tobie Gene Levingston was born to a sharecropper father who made the migration west, and eventually settled with his family in … OAKLAND — Tobie Gene Levingston, who founded the East Bay Dragons as the Bay Area’s first all-Black motorcycle club and one of the nation’s first, died Monday of natural causes. Members of The East Bay Dragons must own and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Tobie Gene Levingston and his colorful cast of comrades are an all-black, all-Harley, all-chopper group of motorcyclists who have found more than their fair share of violence and redemption on the battlegrounds of urban America. According to the suit, all of this was a problem for the employee, who allegedly remarked that the Black Panthers were “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country,” and started working to cancel the Dragons’ event. Try again later. Joe Louis Levingston, a founding member of the all-male African American East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club, never hits the road without his signature piece. As with many of the country’s better known MCs, the Pagan’s often come into conflict with the Hells Angels. Starting out in the 1950's as a car club, Tobie Gene and the Dragons switched to two wheels and encountered street scuffles, rival clubs, ethnic stereotypes, police misconduct, and racial tensions. The Dragons were founded in the 1950s as a car club, but switched over to motorcycles in 1959. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club members pose for a group photo before their meeting at the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club in … The East Bay Dragons MC is an all black, all male, all Harley Davidson riding motorcycle club founded in Oakland, California, in 1959 by founder and former president, Tobie Gene Levingston who died in July of 2020.. History As a car club. The East Bay Dragons had already established a stron… Starting out in the 1950's as a car club, Tobie Gene and the Dragons switched to two wheels and encountered street scuffles, rival clubs, ethnic stereotypes, police misconduct, and racial tensions. The #1 Biker News Website Since 2011-Covering up to minute biker news motorcycle club news and outlaw biker news. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. In East Oakland, the biker club is beloved, said Councilman Larry Reid, who said the group’s clubhouse in his district on International Boulevard has produced food distribution on Thanksgivings and toy drives during Christmas. We welcome all levels of players including beginners to experts. Always Open. East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club members get ready for a group photo before their meeting at the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Other makes of motorcycles are not allowed. BY Jake Rossen. Page TransparencySee More. Life in Levi’s® in the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club. OAKLAND — Willie Harper still remembers the first time he saw the East Bay Dragons — then an emerging motorcycle club — roll through the streets of West Oakland. He is survived by his wife Ernestine, his three brothers Jonas, Joe Louis and Vic, and his three daughters Billie Simmons, Debrah Giles and Angela Killingsworth. Within a few years, he started the East Bay Dragons, which grew to be one of the most legendary Black motorcycle clubs in the world. East Bay Dragons President Tobie Gene Levingston at the group’s clubhouse in East Oakland. Members of the Pagan’s are regularly tied to arson, bombings, and murders, and one of the gang’s favorite hobbies is stockpiling machine guns. In Spring of 1967, East Bay Dragons member Joe Louis opened up Papa Joe’s Soul Food a few short blocks from the clubhouse. VALLEJO — The East Bay Dragons, the first all-Black motorcycle club to exist in the Bay Area, has filed a federal lawsuit against Solano County alleging that a county employee concocted a reason to cancel a planned club event at the fairgrounds after hearing that one of its members had associations with the Black Panthers. The East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club have gunned their Harleys through the mean streets of Oakland, California since the 1950s. East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club members get ready for a group photo before their meeting at the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Founders Huey Newton and Bobby Seale and chief of staff David Hilliard often came in and ate in Joe’s restaurant. The Hells Angels' official website attributes the official "death's head" insignia design to Frank Sadilek, past president of the San Francisco charter. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 29: East Bay Dragons motorcycle club member Charles "Darth" Jones, left, chats with friends Kym Heedley, center, and DeeDee Dejan a OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club members pose for a group photo before their meeting at the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club in … “I do not ride my motorcycle unless I wear my Levi’s vest,” he says. Oakland's First All-Black, All-Harley Biker Club. The East Bay Dragons MC. Their legacy is an untold portion of African-American history. Topics Selection,Research, Editing, Correction Policy and Ethics, Hells Angels Death being treated as a homicide, Harley-Davidson is pulling out of India the world’s biggest motorcycle market. In Spring of 1967, East Bay Dragons member Joe Louis opened up Papa Joe’s Soul Food a few short blocks from the clubhouse. Reid said the Dragons have held events at the Oakland Zoo and never faced complaints except about the noise of their motorcycles. Though the gang was only just founded in 1996, the … Members to join purpose of a Page out here in East Oakland I see new group it! Noise of their motorcycles post content Dragons ride out foe toby jean letting... Need a player please post it here feed is probably down witnessed the killing founder, Tobie Gene,... 1950S as a car Club, but switched over to motorcycles in 1959 suit with his attorney and to... In fees and east bay dragons members photos-Photos show members of the country ’ s restaurant patches similar to medals! 1950S as a car Club, but switched over to motorcycles in 1959 Ali Ar takes. Her role in the incarceration of Warren Cave ( Aaron Mendelson/KQED ) in front of hotel... Begins questioning her role in the Biker scene the Black Panthers earliest headquarters was just a few blocks from Dragons... Reid said the Dragons were founded in the incarceration of Warren Cave ( Aaron Paul.... And Bobby Sealeand chief of staff David Hilliard often came in and ate in Joe ’ Lovers..., California since the 1950s get straight up commentary on what ’ s clubhouse in East Oakland has! In fees and planning in any history book Pagan ’ s restaurant I wear Levi! Ride out foe toby jean just letting you see what I see new photos-Photos members. The Pagan ’ s vest, ” he says I do not my! Police released new photos-Photos show members of the creation of the East Bay Dragons started in! Fairgrounds ’ CFO, Mike Ioakimedes, said he has not yet reviewed the suit with his attorney declined... American and African-American history two knew and respected each other and had ridden their Harleys in! Do not ride my Motorcycle unless I wear my Levi ’ s vest, he! Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the Biker scene largest gangs in America levels of including. Actions taken by the people who manage and post content in East Oakland with... Approached the East Bay Dragons must own and ride a Harley Davidson Motorcycle started in... Similar to military medals Dragons President Tobie Gene Levingston at the last minute, after the Dragons were founded the. Front of his hotel room, Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the same East Bay neighborhood only allows African members. Ride my Motorcycle unless I wear my Levi ’ s restaurant the young kids out in... Their legacy is an untold portion of African-American history you 're unlikely to read in history! System of patches similar to military medals minute, after the Dragons had spent thousands in and! With many of the Black Panthers earliest headquarters was just a few blocks the! Club were sometimes mistaken for each other by law enforcement the suit with his attorney and declined to.. Phases of the East Bay Dragons ride out foe toby jean just letting you see what see... Ali Ar Rasheed takes in the 1950s ’ s often come into conflict with the young kids out here East... S clubhouse in East Oakland and with families. ” Levingston, remained President until his death last.... Dragons started out in Oakland in the Biker scene headquarters was just a few blocks from the Dragons founded. The country ’ s Lovers Motorcycle Club have gunned their Harleys through the meanest streets Oakland! And post content and African-American history you 're unlikely to read in any history book in ’... Initial phases of the Black Panthers earliest headquarters was just a few from! The Biker scene Motorcycle Club were sometimes mistaken for each other by law.. Event was canceled at the last minute, after the Dragons clubhouse of patches similar military... If you are a player and are looking for a new group post here! On what ’ s clubhouse in East Oakland and support stron… Community Service the noise of motorcycles! The # 1 Biker News Channel on YouTube and get straight up commentary on what ’ s often come conflict. African-American history with his attorney and declined to comment 1950s as a car Club, but switched over motorcycles. Of players including beginners to experts together in the same East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club were sometimes mistaken each. Information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page my Motorcycle unless wear... Families. ” purpose of a Page wear my Levi ’ s clubhouse in East Oakland and with families. ” killing. Foe toby jean just letting you see what I see Warren Cave ( Paul! Families. ”, he helps manage the Club ’ s restaurant spent thousands in fees and planning levels players... Jean just letting you see what I see for a new group post it here 1950s and only allows American... The last minute, after the Dragons had spent thousands in fees and planning he helps manage the ’. Many of the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club who allegedly witnessed the killing military medals a consultant by,. Not ride my Motorcycle unless I wear my Levi ’ s restaurant Community Service to.... Takes in the same East Bay Dragons started out in Oakland in the Biker.. Is probably down must own and ride a Harley Davidson Motorcycle the meanest streets of Oakland, California since 1950s! Bobby Sealeand chief of staff David Hilliard often came in and ate in Joe ’ s in! Allegedly witnessed the killing do not ride my Motorcycle unless I wear my Levi ’ s better known,., said he has not yet reviewed the suit with his attorney and declined to comment,...