Jacki McKinney (1934–2021) was a pioneering African American social worker (M.S.W.), trauma survivor, and a revered leader within the psychiatric consumer/survivor/ex-patient (c/s/x) movement.
(Photo Credit: The Suitcase Exhibit)
Catalyst for Activism
Born in New Jersey on October 18, 1934, McKinney endured severe abuse starting at the age of two, initiating a 50-year cycle of trauma. The cumulative impact of this early abuse and the failure of support systems eventually led to a period where she experienced addiction, homelessness, and institutionalization within both the psychiatric and criminal justice systems. While receiving treatment, she noticed a profound lack of cultural competency among medical professionals, who were unable to relate to her lived experiences as a Black woman. This realization sparked her lifelong mission to advocate for trauma-informed, culturally competent mental health care.
Key Contributions and Leadership
McKinney transformed her personal pain into national advocacy, focusing heavily on the intersections of race, trauma, and mental health:
- Intersectionality and Organizing: She was a founding member of the National People of Color Consumer/Survivor Network, creating a crucial platform and safe space for minorities who were often marginalized even within the broader c/s/x movement.
- National Policy Influence: McKinney served as a consultant and advisor to the federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). She became a leading national spokesperson, campaigning aggressively to develop policies against the use of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric facilities.
- Family and Trauma Advocacy: She worked extensively as a family advocate specializing in issues affecting African American women and their children, focusing on breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma and developing personal wellness plans.
Recognition and Legacy
Affectionately known as one of the “Grandmothers of the Movement,” McKinney was celebrated for her uncompromising honesty, resilience, and compassion. For her tireless advocacy on behalf of people with mental health disabilities, she received the prestigious Clifford W. Beers Award from the National Mental Health Association (now Mental Health America). Shortly before her passing in October 2021, the New York State Office of Mental Health recognized her as a “JEDI Warrior” for her lifelong dedication to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Sources: APS Virtual Learning Community, and the Alliance for Rights and Recovery.
Additional Information
Multimedia
Hugh Massengill Jacki McKinney, MSW, speaking at the Eugene Oregon Opal Network, Oct. 15, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6xthJYWBtE&t=6s
Black Movement Leaders Gallery – Jacki McKinney (1934-2021): https://blackmovementleaders.org/gallery/
Tributes
Alliance for Rights and Recovery: In Honor and Memory of Jacki McKinney – https://rightsandrecovery.org/e-news-bulletins/2021/10/18/in-honor-and-memory-of-jacki-mckinney/
APS Virtual Community: Memories of Jacki McKinney – https://aps-community.org/memories-of-jacki-mckinney/