 Graduated from Sumter High School in 1975, Finney matriculated at Talladega College, an HBCU in Alabama, where she was mentored by poet and essayist Dr Gloria Wade Gayles.After studying with Dr. Howard Zehr and graduating from Talladega College in 1979, Finney began her artistic career as a photographer.Finney committed to documenting the trajectory of African-American contributions to American creativity and culture.