pˈɪŋkni lˈɪvd wɪð hɪz fˈæmɪli ɪn lˈʌndən ʌntˈɪl hiː wʌz ˈeɪt; ˈæftɚ ðeɪ ɹᵻtˈɜːnd tə ðə juːnˈaɪɾᵻd stˈeɪts, hiː ɐtˈɛndᵻd sənt. mˈɛɹiz kˈɑːlɪdʒ ʌv mˈɛɹɪlˌænd.
Pinkney lived with his family in London until he was eight; after they returned to the United States, he attended St. Mary's College of Maryland.