Community activist and U.S. Army veteran Percy Pinkney passed on March 18.
Pinkney earned his degree at San Francisco State and his masters in social work from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco. After graduation, he found himself working on the behalf of San Francisco’s youth. He founded a youth community center and worked as a social worker to help gang interventions and diversion programs.
With over 40 years in California politics, Pinkney became well know with some of California’s politicians. He served as a special assistant in the community relations department to Governor Jerry Brown from 1975 to 1982. He also served on Senator Dianne Feinstein’s staff as a Senate Aide in 1992. Pinkney oversaw issues affecting the African American community under Feinstein’s office for 22 years until he retired in 2014.
“He was such a caring person, it was amazing. His compassion for others never ceased. No issue was too small or too big for Percy to tackle. When Percy became engaged on an issue, he didn’t rest until the problem was solved. Percy represented the best of public service — an unwavering devotion to the people of California and making their lives better,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein in a statement released about Pinkney. “It was an honor to be Percy’s friend and I will miss him dearly.”
He founded one the largest political grassroots organization Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC), which has 55 chapters and over 60,000 members. Pinkney has been honored to receive humanitarian and community service awards from Educating Young Mind’s Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Sacramento Kings’ Community Service Award.
Pinkney’s long career of advocacy, service and social justice will forever be a part of his legacy. His memorial services will be held on March 26th 11:00-12:30 pm, viewing 9:00-11:00 am 8201 Greenback Ln at the Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary in Fair Oaks, CA. For more information visit www.bapacstateoffice.org .
Those who wish to send flowers or letters, please send it to the address above.
