Black Mafia Queen: The Woman Behind the BMF Empire

by Tonesa Welch, H. Corey Mills

Overview

In this incredible-but-true crime memoir from “The First Lady of BMF” (Black Mafia Family), Tonesa Welch reveals the dramatic story of her unlikely rise from middle-class teenaged mom to Mafia Queen of Detroit, from Beverly Hills mansions to federal prison—and from a life of danger and self-doubt to one of acceptance, redemption, and love . . .

How did a nice middle-class girl from Detroit become one of the top cocaine distribution Mafia Queens in America? It wasn’t because of the drugs. By the time Tonesa Welch was running her criminal empire—distributing thousands of kilos from Mexican cartels for tens of millions of dollars a month nationally—she had conquered her addiction to cocaine and replaced it with a new one: shopping.

While her customers got high from blow, Tonesa blew her fortune on designer clothes, fancy champagne, and shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive. It was more than a passion. It was an all-consuming obsession that would ultimately land her in prison—and force her to rebuild her life from the ground up.

This is Tonesa’s story. A rare insider’s account of the infamous Black Mafia Family—told by a woman who rose up the ranks, fell to the bottom, and picked herself up again—it is, above all, the story of a survivor. Like many women, Tonesa struggled with her insecurities, trying to find validation through five-figure outfits, six-figure cars, and seven-figure homes. But after her mansion was raided by the feds, she swapped her Gucci dresses for a prison smock—and faced the greatest challenge of her life: finding herself.

In the end, Mafia Queen reveals not only the full story behind BET’s The First Lady of BMF, but the inspiring journey of one woman’s heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496752789
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	02/24/2026
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288

About the Author

Dr. Tonesa Welch is a producer, mentor, activist, prison reformist, and brand influencer. As the former first lady of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), Toni was an inside witness to the crimes of one of America’s most notorious organized crime conglomerates. In 2006, Toni was convicted in the historic Operation Motor City Mafia bust and sentenced to nearly five years for money laundering. Following her release from federal prison in 2012, Toni and her youngest son, Corey, founded the non‑profit, Sylent Heart. Providing clothes and school resources for the children of incarcerated parents and other at‑risk youths, their organization has also assisted women ex‑convicts transition back into society via job placement, housing, life‑skills training, and transportation. The recipient of the “Spirit of Detroit” award for her service to the local community, Toni has hosted charity events for Los Angeles‑area schools as well as holiday events for children in need. She now lives in Los Angeles.

H. Corey Mills is the owner of Black Mafia Family LLC, a producer, writer, filmmaker, and author committed to telling bold, transformative stories rooted in truth, legacy, and personal experience. As the son of Dr. Tonesa Welch, The First Lady of BMF, Corey witnessed firsthand the impact of generational choices and the power of rewriting your own narrative. His journey has been one of evolution. From growing up inside one of America’s most talked-about legacies to carving his own lane as a creative and cultural voice, Corey continues to lead with vision and purpose.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Black Mafia Queen

“Black Mafia Queen is a page-turner from beginning to end—captivating and vivid, it made me feel like I was part of the story. A must-read, it’s emotionally moving and offers a powerful journey of resilience, truth, and a firsthand look into the world of the Black Mafia Family, told by those who lived it.” —Dr. Rita Ali, author of Triple Jeopardy: Three Strikes but Not Out and Executive Director of We 2 Matter, a nonprofit supporting reentry for women.

From the Publisher