ABOUT FAITH J. MCKINNIE

Faith J. McKinnie is a defining voice in Sacramento’s arts scene — a curator, critic, and cultural strategist whose work centers Black artists and reimagines how art shapes civic life. As the founder of the Black Artist Foundry, she builds sustainable ecosystems for artists to thrive through funding, professional development, exhibitions, and advocacy — dismantling barriers that have long excluded Black creatives from institutional support and visibility.

Her curatorial practice, rooted in community and care, is anchored by the faith j. mckinnie gallery, which reclaims and revitalizes underused spaces as platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and artistic inquiry. The gallery’s reopening in Midtown drew wide celebration — not just as the return of a beloved arts space, but as a statement about the power of local, independent, and Black-led cultural institutions.

Across both her gallery and the Foundry, McKinnie has become a bridge between artists, policymakers, and civic leaders, ensuring that Sacramento’s growth includes its creative core. From convening conversations on the region’s creative economy to collaborating with the Crocker Art Museum, the City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts & Culture, and the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, she continues to position art as both a community resource and an economic catalyst.

Her work redefines the possibilities of what regional leadership in the arts can look like — visionary yet grounded, challenging yet collaborative. For McKinnie, art is not simply about aesthetics; it’s about infrastructure, inclusion, and the collective imagination that propels Sacramento forward.

ON LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE

What does “Black Power and Influence” mean to you?
To have power and influence as a Black leader in Sacramento means understanding that visibility itself is an act of resistance and care. It’s about using access to open doors, redistribute opportunity, and ensure our stories are centered. True power isn’t proximity to institutions — it’s how deeply we’re rooted in community and how effectively we use that influence so others can thrive.

Leadership Lesson:
Care is strategy. Leading with empathy and intention isn’t soft — it’s transformative. Leadership isn’t about control but stewardship — holding space for others to grow, create, and lead in their own right.

Who inspires you most and why?
Shonna McDaniels inspires me deeply. Her commitment to preserving and uplifting Black art and history showed me what it means to lead with purpose and integrity. Like Shonna, I believe leadership means creating access, not gatekeeping it.

What are the biggest opportunities you see for Sacramento’s Black community in the years ahead?
Our greatest opportunity lies in building and sustaining our own ecosystems — spaces where creativity, innovation, and economic growth reflect our values. By aligning across generations and industries, we can move from representation to real power-sharing and make Sacramento a model for community-centered Black prosperity.

ON EVERYDAY LIFE

Song/Artist On Repeat: Sasha Keable.

Recharge Ritual: Spending time in museums and galleries, connecting with artists, and experiencing art without agenda.

Weekend in Sacramento: At the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum — a space that feels like both history and home.

Hidden Passion: Accessibility in public transportation. Mobility is deeply connected to equity; how we move through a city shapes how we experience opportunity and community.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our “Onyx 25” sponsors for their generous support: