Clementa Carlos Pinckney was born to a large family on July 30, 1973, in Beaufort, South Carolina. One of Clementa’s favorite programs as a youth was 4-H. He began his 4-H career at the age of 9. During his nine years of involvement his main projects were public speaking and debating. He served as club president. He also ambitiously participated citizenship activities. He was the State Winner in the 4-H Public Speaking. Thomasina Tyler, his 4-H Agent characterized Senator Pinckney as extraordinarily kind-hearted; she believed his kind-heartedness was embedded in his genes. In 1996, Pinckney became the youngest African-American man elected to the South Carolina General Assembly in the House at the age of twenty-three. He was elected to the Senate in 2000, where he served until his death.
Every year during the 4-H Legislative Day, Senator Pinckney would always ask to share with the 4-Hers at the State House. He would attribute his leadership and public speaking skills to 4-H at the community, county, and state levels.
Reverend Pinckney began preaching at church at age thirteen and was appointed pastor at age eighteen. Pinckney was a senior pastor at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. in Charleston. On June 17, 2015, Pinckney was murdered in a racially motivated mass shooting at an evening Bible study at the Church.
Upon his death, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership program was founded by the State Legislators. The 4-H Pinckney Leadership program is a program designed for middle and high school students looking to develop their leadership abilities and awareness in civic engagement. The program aims to set forth the standards and principles valued by Senator Pinckney. The South Carolina Legislator provides South Carolina 4-H $430,000 per year to conduct the program. This is a tribute to the respect he had developed with his colleagues.
