Lori J. Cole was born in Michigan and now owns a home in Union City, Michigan with her husband of 25 years. She has multiple degrees including a Secretarial Certificate, Bachelor's degree, and a Master's Degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing. Lori studied abroad in Durban, South Africa, graduating with a Certificate in Culture and Diversity. As a child, she was confused by the rejection of the first African American boy to enroll in her elementary school, fueling her lifelong goal of addressing racism. Years later, she traveled alone to South Africa to experience racism firsthand, which had a profound impact on her.