Michael Patrick MacDonald

Michael Patrick MacDonald grew up in the Old Colony Housing Project in South Boston, a neighborhood that once held the highest concentration of white poverty in the United States. After experiencing the loss of four of his eleven siblings and witnessing the impact of poverty, crime, addiction, and incarceration on his community, he channeled his experiences into activism, organizing, and writing. MacDonald's work focuses on transforming personal and community trauma into proactive social change.

MacDonald is the author of the New York Times Bestselling memoir, "All Souls: A Family Story From Southie" and the acclaimed "Easter Rising: A Memoir of Roots and Rebellion." These two books, which address themes of family, survival, and resilience against socio-economic struggles, are frequently selected as First Year Experience reads at colleges and universities. He has been awarded an American Book Award, a New England Literary Lights Award, and a fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Study Center. MacDonald has also penned numerous essays and short stories, including "The Resurrection of Cornelius Larkin" and "An Immigrant’s Tale," written for the Dropkick Murphy’s theme album "Going Out in Style." He has contributed regular op-eds to The Boston Globe and has written articles addressing ongoing race and class issues in Greater Boston.

As an activist and community leader, MacDonald has been instrumental in initiating Boston's first-ever Gun Buyback programs and establishing local support groups for survivors of poverty, violence, and the drug trade. His involvement extends to serving on several local and national boards, including the Children’s Defense Fund’s Beat The Odds Essay Selection Committee, the Crittenton Women’s Union National Advisory Committee, and Families First of Greater Boston Advisory Board.

Michael Patrick MacDonald serves as Professor of the Practice at Northeastern University’s Honors Department, where he teaches "Non-Fiction Writing & Social Justice Issues" and "The North of Ireland: Conflict, Reconciliation, and a Lasting Peace with Justice" every fall. He also holds a Guest Lecturer position at California State University, Northridge, and at The University of Mannheim during the summer. MacDonald's academic contributions are complemented by his development of a community-based writing and healing curriculum, "Transforming Trauma: Finding Your Voice," used to assist women transitioning out of poverty in Boston.

Currently, MacDonald is working on his third book which explores generational trauma and addiction in Massachusetts communities, while also incorporating narrative non-fiction storytelling techniques. His storytelling ability not only conveys his extensive knowledge but also encourages audience engagement and community building.