William G. Sinkford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Reverend William G. Sinkford
Interim Co-President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
In office April 10, 2017 – June 25, 2017 Serving with the Rev. Sofía Betancourt and Dr. Leon Spencer
Preceded by	Rev. Peter Morales
Succeeded by	Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
7th President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
In office June 24, 2001 – June 28, 2009
Preceded by	Rev. John A. Buehrens
Succeeded by	Rev. Peter Morales
Personal details
Born	1946 (1946) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Spouse	Maria
Children	2
Residence	Portland, Oregon
Occupation	Senior minister, First Unitarian Church of Portland (2010–present)

The Rev. William G. Sinkford (born 1946) is a Unitarian Universalist minister. He served as the seventh president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) from 2001 to 2009. This made him the first African American to lead the UUA. He was also the first African American to lead any major traditionally white religious group in the United States.

Mr. Sinkford grew up in Cincinnati. He became a Unitarian Universalist when he was 14 years old. He felt that the church was a place where he could truly be himself. Even though he left the church for a while in the 1970s, he later returned. He wanted to find a religious home for his two children. He became an ordained minister in 1995.

In April 2017, Sinkford was asked to be an interim co-president of the UUA. He served alongside Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt and Dr. Leon Spencer. This happened after the previous president, Rev. Peter Morales, resigned. Sinkford served until a new president, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, was elected in June 2017. Since 2010, he has been the senior minister at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, Oregon.

William Sinkford's Career Journey

Before becoming a minister, William Sinkford worked in business. From 1970 to 1980, he held management jobs in marketing. He worked for well-known companies like Gillette, Avon Products, Johnson Products, and Revlon. Later, he started his own business called Sinkford Restorations. In 1993, he decided to become a minister.

Leading the Unitarian Universalist Association

In 2001, William Sinkford became the seventh president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. During his time as president, he had an important goal. He wanted to bring back a "vocabulary of reverence" to the association. He noticed that the UUA's main principles did not use traditional religious words. They talked about human dignity and justice, but not much about personal spiritual journeys.

Sinkford once thought of himself as an atheist. However, after his son recovered from a coma in 1997, he began to pray. He felt thankful and grateful to God. William F. Schulz, a former UUA president, supported Sinkford's idea. He believed it was good to use a wide range of religious words.

Sinkford's time as president ended in 2009. He was followed by Rev. Peter Morales.

Returning as Interim Co-President

In 2017, Rev. Morales resigned from his role. The UUA Board asked Sinkford to return as an interim co-president. He shared this role with Rev. Sofía Betancourt and Dr. Leon Spencer. Their main job was to help the UUA during a difficult time. This period involved changes in leadership and discussions about how the UUA addresses racism. Sinkford's interim co-presidency ended when Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray was elected in June 2017.

William Sinkford's Education

William Sinkford was born in San Francisco. He went to Harvard University. While there, he spoke out against the Vietnam War. In 1968, when he graduated, he joined other students in saying they would not serve in the armed forces. They felt the war was unfair. He graduated with honors in 1968. After that, he spent a year in Greece as a Michael Clark Rockefeller Fellow.

In 1995, Sinkford earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Starr King School for the Ministry. This degree is needed to become a minister. In 2002, Tufts University gave him an honorary degree. This means they recognized his achievements with a special award.