[2] Thomas' art practice explores female subjectivity, social justice and changing historical discourses.
[3] In 2015, she was selected by the City of San Francisco to create a monument to the writer Maya Angelou.
[4] However, the city rescinded its initial approval for the monument, citing objections to Thomas' proposed work by city supervisor Catherine Stefani, who had sponsored the legislation for the artwork.
[5][6] The city started its search for an artist anew, but in 2019, it reversed course and affirmed the original selection of Thomas.
The city issued a public apology that stated "Due to our failures, we have caused significant harm to an incredibly talented Black woman artist, and we have caused deep pain to members of the Black artist community.