Thomasi Mcdonald

Mar 26, 2025 | today.duke.edu | Thomasi Mcdonald

Published March 26, 2025 Tags Durham & the Region Education Civic Engagement Rising ninth-grader Alivia Williams arrived at Duke’s Trent Semans Great Hall with her mom, Carla, to sign up for her field of study at a newly established Durham early college high school that will specialize in health care. “Research,” answered the reserved 14-year-old before registering. Meanwhile, Kyle Jara, 14, had grabbed a plate of food and was sitting a few feet away from his parents.

Jun 15, 2024 | indyweek.com | Thomasi Mcdonald

This month, cast members of the Pure Life Theatre Company’s production have offered up a poignant and oftentimes laugh-out-loud performance of the Tony-nominated play, Home. The play closes out on Thursday, June 20, as part of Burning Coal .

Nov 1, 2023 | indyweek.com | Thomasi Mcdonald

This story originally published online at Duke Today and is republished here with permission. Videography by Ayanna Shepherd. Photos by Bill Snead. The opening day of the symposium celebrating the landmark work, “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans,” by celebrated historian and Duke faculty emeritus John Hope Franklin, was held, aptly enough, on the campus of North Carolina Central University.

Aug 22, 2023 | socialequity.duke.edu | Thomasi Mcdonald

By Thomasi McDonaldAugust 22, 2023West Coast economist Brandon Ware was inspired to research food deserts when he had to drive nearly five miles before finding what he called “a full-fledged grocery store” while visiting family in Michigan. Food deserts are urban areas where residents have little or no access to affordable, fresh healthy food.

Jul 25, 2023 | indyweek.com | Thomasi Mcdonald

Skip to content On July 3, I sat in a conference room at Duke University and signed a contract to work full time as a senior writer in the university’s communications office. Before signing the one-page agreement I paused and told my new editor, Greg Phillips, that I wished my mom and dad could witness the moment. My dad did most of the heavy lifting.