It's a US game, actually there are two games. Both follow from Whist and Bridge. There are, in the US, two games that go by the name of Spades but (as the primary differentiating characteristics) have different rules regarding bidding and scoring. In Black communities (the version discussed in the article) it's often played with a standard deck plus jokers (possibly removing other cards to make room for the jokers), and scoring is based on winning a bid and making book and some number of tricks over book (though not always, but the common form) which is similar to Contract Bridge and Whist. The other form is played with a standard deck and both partnerships can get points on each hand based on their bids, no need to make book (6 tricks as a base before getting points) just make your bid.

I (white kid) grew up on the west coast of the US and played Spades growing up with my family. None of my friends knew Spades, but it seemed like everyone knew Hearts. My mom grew up on the east coast so I always kinda thought that she brought it with her out west. Had no idea it was cultural in other ways!

As another commenter mentioned, a lot of people in the US learned to play Spades in the military.