For Immediate Release
Strategic Media Books
803-366-5440
Former Drug Kingpin Ike Atkinson
Tells His Story
"In His Own Words"
with New DVD Release
Raleigh, North Carolina - In the movie "American Gangster," Ike Atkinson appears
as the minor character "Nate," who is depicted as gangster Frank
Lucas's cousin and as the drug trafficker who helped Lucas established
the Asian heroin pipeline from Thailand to the U.S. These were two of
many of the Lucas' lies exposed in the recently released. award-winning
book, Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers by Ron Chepesiuk. This month Sergeant Smack was awarded the Best Crime Nonfiction by Books & Authors.net.
"'American Gangster' is a fairy tale told by Hollywood," Chepesiuk said. "It should have been produced by Walt Disney."
But now in a fascinating documentary interview, "Ike Atkinson, Kingpin-- In his Own Words," Atkinson tells own his story and further sets the record straight. The former kingpin, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, talks about growing up in the rural south, his life in the military and as a gambler and a hustler, his rise and fall as a big time drug dealer, his relationship with Frank Lucas, the 32 years he spent in prison and his life since his release. Those who have an appreciation for the truth will want to listen closely and take note, as the real American Gangster at long last speaks out. The production's running time is 63 minutes.
"'American Gangster' is a fairy tale told by Hollywood," Chepesiuk said. "It should have been produced by Walt Disney."
But now in a fascinating documentary interview, "Ike Atkinson, Kingpin-- In his Own Words," Atkinson tells own his story and further sets the record straight. The former kingpin, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, talks about growing up in the rural south, his life in the military and as a gambler and a hustler, his rise and fall as a big time drug dealer, his relationship with Frank Lucas, the 32 years he spent in prison and his life since his release. Those who have an appreciation for the truth will want to listen closely and take note, as the real American Gangster at long last speaks out. The production's running time is 63 minutes.
"It
has been really gratifying to get my true story told both in print and
on the screen," Atkinson revealed. "The DVD and book complement each
other and provide a complete picture." Atkinson led a remarkable life as an adventurer, gambler and drug trafficker. He never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra. Atkinson was the first African American drug kingpin to have a DEA task force set up specifically to bring him down.
As a former U.S. Army Master Sergeant, he utilized his intellect and charm to smuggle, by conservative estimates, 1000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, through U.S. military bases into the United States from 1968 to 1975. Atkinson's legendary enterprise was so complex and profitable, it easily rivaled that of modern day hoodlums, the Black Mafia Family.
Ike Atkinson is also the subject of the cover story for the current Don Diva magazine issue. The title of the cover story reads:"The Biggest African American Drug Dealer in History."
On Saturday, October 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Ike and Ron will be signing copies of the new DVD and their book, Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson Kingpin, and his Band of Bothers, at Hue-Man Book Store and Café in Harlem. On Sunday, October 17, Ike Atkinson and Ron Chepesiuk will sign copies at Black Star Music and Video in Harlem from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
People in the Philadelphia area can catch Ike and Ron on October 13 at the Black and Nobel Book Store from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the Mill Creek Tavern from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Come to any these venues and meet and chat with Ike and Ron. For further information contact Strategic Media books at strategicmediabooks@gmail.com
The DVD, "Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, In His Own Words," and "Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers" are available at ikeatkinsonkingpin.com, strategicmediabooks.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, and through local book stores.
See and hear from Ike Atkinson himself at youtube.com and read about him at IkeAtkinsonKingpin.com.
For more information about Ron Chepesiuk, go to strategicmediabooks.com. You can also 'friend' both Ron Chepesiuk and Ike Atkinson on Facebook.com.
Note to the media: Contact Strategic Media Books at strategicmediabooks@gmail.com to receive a review copy of the DVD. Both Ron Chepesiuk and 84-year old Ike Atkinson are available for interviews.
See Also...
W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Radio: Chopping It Up With Sergeant Smack: The Real American Gangster
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