Michael Patrick MacDonald

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|occupation= |nationality=Irish American |awards=American Book Award (2000) }} Michael Patrick MacDonald (born March 9, 1966) is an Irish American activist and author focusing on crime and violence. He is also author of a bestselling memoir. In his memoir, ''All Souls: A Family Story From Southie'', MacDonald combines his heritage with his passion for the anti-violence movement. MacDonald helped start Boston's gun-buyback program and founded the South Boston Vigil group, a local community group that works to honor Southie's victims of gun violence.

In 1999, he received the Daily Point of Light Award, which honors people who connect Americans through community service. MacDonald has also been awarded an Anne Cox Chambers Fellowship award at the MacDowell Colony, a Bellagio Center Fellowship through the Rockefeller Foundation, and residencies at the Blue Mountain Center and Djerassi Artists Residency Program. He received the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey for his courage and committed efforts to stem the tide of inner city violence through the establishment of the gun-buyback program in Boston.

As of MacDonald lives in Brooklyn, New York and devotes his time to writing and public speaking on topics ranging from "Race and Class in America" to "Trauma, Healing, and Social Change." MacDonald is also a writer in Residence at Northeastern University in Boston. Provided by Wikipedia