Honoring
Captain Bill Pinkney

The Captain William "Bill" Pinkney Legacy Foundation

About Captain Pinkney

Captain Bill Pinkney is a renowned sailor, author, and educator. He made history as the first Black Man of any nation to Solo Sail around the world by way of
The Five Great Capes and was the first Captain of the replica Amistad ship. Born in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, he is a US Navy veteran with eight years service as a Hospital Corpsman. His love for the sea started at an early age. In 1986 he became a US Coast Guard licensed Master of Steam, Power and Sail vessels. He has also been a high steel mechanic for Otis Elevator, a Radiology Therapist, Advertising executive for Revlon and Johnson Products Co., Motion Picture Make-Artist, Public Information Officer for the City of Chicago, and Motivational/Inspirational Speaker. Beside sailing, Captain Pinkney also enjoyed
being an Amateur HAM radio operator and even served as Host of the radio show “The Maritime Scene” for two years on WLIS in Middletown, Connecticut. Captain Bill Pinkney passed on August 31, 2023, at the age of 87.