Anthony Peterson grew up in Hawaii and was a childhood friend of Barack Obama. They both attended Punahou School, and while Peterson was three years Obama’s senior, the two bonded over being among a small number of Black students at the school. Peterson and Obama would gather weekly for what they jokingly called “Ethnic Corner,” where they discussed everything from their classes to philosophy to race. With degrees in psychology and religious education, Peterson has developed and facilitated diversity training for both corporate and church leaders. He continues to work as an educator, diversity consultant, writer, and editor in Nashville, Tennessee.