photo of Harlem CORE member Tony Spencer with Sylvia Woods, owner of Sylvia's Restaurant.

photo of Harlem CORE member Tony Spencer with Sylvia Woods, owner of Sylvia's Restaurant.

Harlem CORE members

This is a 1992 photo of Harlem CORE member Tony Spencer with the owner of the world famous Sylvia's Restaurant, Sylvia Woods. It is an example of his career as a politician and Harlem community leader.

He served as an aide for Basil Patterson when he was State Senator, was on the slate as a delegate for Shirley Chisolm in 1972, worked as special assistant to Secretary of State Gail Shaffer and as deputy of African American Affairs for Governor Mario Cuomo. He is currently the State Committeeman for the 70th A.D.
HE works (along with his wife) for the renowned Harlem Little League and serves of the Board of Directors for Harlem Hospital. The irony here can not be ignored as this is the same site where Gladys Harrington and Harlem CORE protested in the early 1960's and Harlem CORE chairman Leonard DeChamps and Elaine Parker (among other Harlem CORE members) protested in the early 1970's.

Mr. Spencer was also a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard and in charge of the 369th Regiment Armory, also known as the Harlem Armory (5th ave. between 142nd and 143rd streets). Again, the irony... a former member of a non-violent direct action group in charge of a former military armory, a Black nationalist who was an officer in the United States military. As a member of the National Guard, he was also a 9/11 first responder and is currently sick as a result of his participation in the rescue and clean up efforts.