Mabel Stokes, often known by her nickname Mama Mabel, was a crime-lord and a powerful figure in Harlem. As the head of the Stokes family, Mabel taught Cornell Stokes how to become a cold hearted killer while attempting to keep Mariah Dillard out of the crime business. Once Mabel died, Cornell took up her mantel, taking over Harlem's Paradise while Dillard did all she could not to follow in her footsteps and become a politician instead.