Clifford McDonald was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, where he attended Booker High School. McDonald earned a bachelor degree in fine arts from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Today he is a painter and the founder of the nonprofit Art 4 Change, a nonprofit organization that creates positive social change through art, information, advocacy, and service. In 2016, after he started teaching art at Visible Men Academy in Bradenton, Florida, McDonald became inspired by his students and the idea of using the transformative power of the arts to make a difference in the world. His paintings today focus on culture, community, and positive social change. His goal is to use his gift to make a difference in the community by sending a message of love.