As a bi-vocational Pastor, she accomplished another milestone by being named as the Chief Human Resource Officer for the Graduate Theological Union, the first Black female to be named in the role and continues to consult for many non-profits across the country providing strategic support to CEO’s and governing boards.  The appointment to GTU was especially meaningful to her since she also graduated from the Berkeley School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union, earning a Master’s degree in Community Leadership with a focus on Worship and Liturgy,  graduating with honors in the area of Functional Theology. She currently continues her education, pursuing her Doctorate in Ministry. 

After initially accepting her call to ministry, she was licensed under the Pastorate of the Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. and ordained under Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Jr., of the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Deeply invested in the SF Bay Area’s close-knit community, Rev. Brinkley then planted the ever-growing True Faith Community Baptist Church, pivoting during COVID to serve a congregation which averages upwards of one thousand online viewers each week. She serves as a consultant to other Pastors who would like to expand their online reach. 

However, Rev. Brinkley’s commitment to serving God doesn’t stop at church leadership—she’s also a stalwart community activist. As a Grassroots Organizer for consumer-advocacy nonprofit TURN, she was acknowledged with a Community Champion award, recognizing her efforts to ensure power equity in the Bay Area’s poorest communities,speaking often at the California Public Utilities Commission, demanding changes in public policy. 

Rev. Vickia channels her artistic prowess to unite the San Francisco Bay Area’s Christian fellowship in spirited praise as the definitive voice of Street Level Gospel, a lauded, independent gospel label. She is a sought after recording artist and vocalist with several projects to her credit and continues to uphold a powerful musical legacy. 

Ministry foundational scripture: Romans 10:17—So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.