Education
Sinkford was born in San Francisco and attended, where he was among those vocal in their opposition to the United States. involvement in the Vietnam War. Upon commencement in 1968 he joined a group of students calling it "unjust and immoral" and pledging publicly not to serve in the armed forces, even if drafted. He graduated cum laude in 1968, then spent a year in Greece as a Michael Clark Rockefeller Fellow.
In 1995, Sinkford received his Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry.
In 2002, Tufts University awarded Sinkford the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.
