Lacy Steele…
Dr. Samuel McKinney was a man you could depend on. Over the years, I had the pleasure of working with Rev. McKinney on a variety of levels, on community issues, civil rights issues, I was able to get advice and he was willing to give it. A friend, a family man, a dedicated man of faith, again, this was a man you could depend on.
Elma Horton…
Words are inadequate to describe the depth, strength, love and education Reverend Samuel McKinney shared with everyone. His unselfishness towards the community was evident and he wanted everyone to grow and do well. Reverend McKinney left a legacy to the community for all to follow, what he demonstrated and shared, his commitment to the Lord, his love for us was demonstrated through his teachings to love one another as the lord loved us and we appreciated and accepted what he shared and we were blessed.
Chris H. Bennett…
Dr. McKinney was my pastor, mentor and my big brother. Every piece of civil rights ledgislation in this state bares his DNA. However, let’s not forget he had a business resume, he built a huge spiritual church, spiritually and infrastructural; served on the regions largest bank for 22 years. So he was not just about civil rights, he was a leader in silver rights as well.
Lem Howell…
I knew Reverend McKinney from when I bought my home in 1966 and I remember meeting him during the protest at Mt Zion after the Larry Ward shooting. Reverend McKinney always had an awareness of the social consciousness and life and death struggles of the community. A leader in Civil Rights his impact was great, not only in religious and spiritual awareness but also as a politician. McKinney was in the political trenches both locally and nationally. He was a leader in the Rainbow Coalition trying to elect Jesse Jackson for president. He will be greatly missed. Oh! And if you never heard him he possessed a great singing voice!
LaVerne Hall…
Dr. Mckinney gave his tithes and offerings to the community in so many ways other than financial. His tithes and his offerings consisted of his visionary intellect, his activism, his role as a storyteller, his education, his intelligence and just the fact that he knew what God had called him to do. And so, his tithes and offerings, I have to keep going back to tithes and offerings, became a lifestyle for him and not just monetarily to the church. The church was not Mt Zion, Dr. McKinney’s church was the community and that’s where he gave his real tithes and offerings, a little piece of himself. Just like a pebble tossed in the water and the waves it makes, that was Dr. McKinney.
Nate Miles…
Reverend McKinney was trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest. He was our community’s religious and spiritual consciousness as well as our civil rights leader. Reverend McKinney was a community, business and spiritual leader who was instrumental in expanding diversity throughout Seattle’s business sector. He worked diligently and challenged the business community and employers to hire minorities, to promote minorities, he put diversity at the forefront and his legacy will be felt for years to come.
Roger Williams…
I know that he was a great man of God, a leader in the community, a committed pastor, a man of integrity and from what I understand he has done a lot for this community. I was sorry to hear of his passing and I know he has a legacy that will foreever be apart of this city’s legacy.
Andrumada King…
The Reverend and everything he’s done for this city, I will never forget him. People do not understand his impact, he is one of the best men we ever knew, he has done so much for this community, I mean my mother lives in McKinney Manor, we can sit here and go all day long about how he served and changed this community. How his legacy will still impact this community one hundred years from now. Mt Zion will always be impactful whether he’s there or gone. His impact will never be erased. He is a pillar for this community and we need to recognize this.
Michael Freeman…
Anybody still alive and around that knew Rev. King, McKinney carried that relationship to Seattle. Without Reverend McKinney things would not be as they are or nowhere near what they are for the Black people in this community. We’ve come along ways and a lot if it is due to Reverend McKinney. I think he was a wonderful man and I will never forget him and I know Seattle will never forget him either.
Kyle Wilson…
Reverend McKinney’s legac y’s impact was huge. Not only was pastor but he was a father figure to lot of kids growing up. Particularly those kids who may not have had a father figure in their lives. So he put his imput up there. He definitely had an impact on us. We used to go to Mt. Zions Summer Bible School and he would open the day with prayer, he had that stern and deep voice and would keep us as kids in check. I have definitely taught my children and other children some of the life lessons that he taught us.
