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William G. Sinkford
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The Rev. William G. Sinkford (born 1946) is a Unitarian Universalist minister who served as the seventh president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), from 2001 to 2009.[3] His installation as UUA president made him the first African American to lead that organization, or any traditionally white religious denomination in the United States.[4][5]
The Reverend William G. Sinkford | |
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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)[1] San Francisco, California, U.S. |
Spouse | Maria[2] |
Children | 2[2] |
Residence | Portland, Oregon |
Occupation | Senior minister, First Unitarian Church of Portland (2010–present) |
Mr. Sinkford, spent his childhood in Cincinnati and became a Unitarian-Universalist when he was 14 years old. He wrote, I claimed the church when as a young black man, I walked into First Unitarian, Cincinnati, and found a religious community where I could be fully myself. Though he left in the 1970s believing that the Universalists had retreated from engagement with racial justice. He returned to find a religious home for his two children. He was ordained in 1995.[6] In April 2017, Sinkford was appointed interim co-president of the UUA (along with Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt and Dr. Leon Spencer) following the resignation of Sinkford's successor, Rev. Peter Morales. Sinkford served until the election of a new president, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, in June 2017.[7]
Since 2010[update], he has served as the senior minister for the First Unitarian Church in Portland, Oregon.[8]