Tyner was born in 1941 in the Mill Creek community of West Philadelphia, and graduated from West Philadelphia High School. He joined the Communist Party USA at the age of 20. After several years working in various industrial jobs in the Philadelphia area, where he was a member of the Amalgamated Lithographers of America and Teamsters, he moved to New York in 1967 to become the national chair of the DuBois Clubs of America, and later founding chair of the Young Workers Liberation League. He was the Communist Party USA candidate for vice president of the U.S. in 1972 and 1976, running with party leader Gus Hall.
Tyner has been a public spokesperson for the CPUSA, presenting its positions against racism, imperialism, and war. Tyner has also contributed to the CPUSA's Political Affairs Magazine and its People's World. He currently resides in the Inwood section of Manhattan, New York City.
Relatives
Jarvis Tyner is the younger brother of jazz pianist McCoy Tyner.[1]
Ann Douglas, "A Tireless Fighter for Race, Class and Socialist Revolution," London: Morning Star, October 11, 2006. Located at [1]. Retrieved September 4, 2009.