Hampton Roads Oral History Project

Dr. McKinley L. Price, DDS is a native of Newport News, Virginia. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1967, followed by receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). McKinley was honorably discharged from the United States Army as First Lieutenant. In 1976, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and performed a general anesthesia residency at Provident Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Price has received numerous honors and awards from various professional associations. In 1989, he was elected by his peers as President of the Peninsula Dental Society notably as the first black president of this organization. He was also named "Dentist of the Year" by the Old Dominion Dental Society. Dr. Price is a Fellow in the Virginia Dental Association, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Delta Dental of Virginia, serving on the Delta Dental Foundation Board, Audit and Compliance Committee, and Dental Policy Advisory Committee. Dr. Price was a member of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and served on the Criminal and Social Justice Committee, International Affairs Committee, and Vice Chair of the Automation Task Force. Dr. Price served as the President of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA), an organization representing over 500 African American across the United States, May 2020 through May 2021.

Dr. Price's community service was highlighted by his being appointed chair of the Newport News School Board for two years, during his eight years of service, from 1984-1992. In 1994, Dr. Price received the President's Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Peninsula Chapter of 100 Black Men and in 1996 he received the Presidential Citizenship Award from Hampton University. The Peninsula Chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice presented him with their Humanitarian Award in 1996. In 1998, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated honored him as Citizen of the Year during the Mid-Atlantic 441h Annual Regional Conference. The Daily Press Newspaper awarded Dr. Price "Citizen of the Year" for 2005, which highlighted his Co-Chairmanship of the organization People to People whose mission is to improve race relations and the quality of life in Newport News. It also commended him for being a founding member of the Virginia Peninsula Chapter of 100 Black Men. They recognized him as the Role Model of the Year in April 2011. Thomas Nelson Community College awarded him their 1NCC Medallion Award during commencement exercises in May 2011. The Price Family was the Honored Family during the 2010 Hampton University's Black Family Conference and he was the Founder's Day speaker at Hampton in 2011.

In addition to the commitment he makes to his professional activities and meeting the demands of a successful dental practice, Dr. Price devotes untiring energy and time to the community. He has served as Chairman of the Board for Riverside Health System Foundation, Vice Chair of the Riverside Health System Board, and Immediate Past Chairman of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board. In addition, Dr. Price was appointed by Governor Warner to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board. He was appointed to the Newport News City Council for a five month period in 2004. In May 2010, he was elected Mayor of the City of Newport News and was reelected twice. His term ended December 31, 2022.

Dr. Price is a member of the First Church of Newport News (Baptist), a church founded by his great-great­grandfather. He is married to Valerie Scott Price, a retired educator having taught for 30 years, most of which were in the Newport News Public School System. They have two adult children and one grandson: McKinley II, DDS, an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, he and his wife Amy and their son live in Brooklyn, NY; and Marcia, a Delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 95th District.

-Interview audio and transcript coming soon.