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Spencer's life and work reflect the richness of African American literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Raised in Virginia and West Virginia as a child of former slaves, she drew inspiration from nature and heritage, which shaped much of her poetry.
Her education as a teacher and librarian was key to her intellectual development. During the Harlem Renaissance, her work gained recognition, with figures like W. E. B. Du Bois supporting her voice. Her poem "Before the Feast at Shushan," published in The Crisis, is a notable piece exploring spirituality, race, and resilience.
