Sykes, Harry Nash
(born: April 1, 1927 - died: November 28, 2012)Born in Starkville, MS, in 1963 Harry N. Sykes became the first African American elected to the City of Lexington, KY, Council; he also served as mayor pro-tem, 1967-1969. Harry N. Sykes ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Lexington in 1971. He founded the Lexington Fayette County Urban League in 1968, serving as president from 1968-1972. Sykes was also a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, 1952-1954. Harry N. Sykes was a 1952 graduate from Kentucky State University, where he attended school on a basketball and track scholarship. He earned his masters degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota. He taught high school mathematics at the Lexington Public Schools and coached junior high basketball. Harry N. Sykes died November 28, 2012. He was the son of Pinkie K. and Parkay M. Sykes, and the husband of Geraldine Higgins Sykes. For more see Harry Sykes, Lexington Herald Leader, 08/02/03, Final Ed., p. B1.
