Man helped boy interview president in 1993 — years later, he repaid the kindness in a powerful way

In 1993, 11-year-old Kevin Nazemi wrote a letter to the White House asking to interview President Bill Clinton. At the time, Nazemi was a sixth grader in Columbia, Missouri, who had recently immigrated to the United States from Iran. The request was part of a school project that partnered students with a local television station. Nazemi and his classmate Sam Bornhauser wanted their segment to feature the president. When his letter received only a coloring book in response, Nazemi decided to start calling the White House himself.

He called every morning before school and again in the afternoon. Eventually, his calls reached Dave Anderson, a 23-year-old junior staffer who worked at the White House. Anderson didn’t dismiss him. "His tone was demanding. It never felt like, 'Pretty please, can I get an interview with the president?' It was much more, 'When can I get the interview with the president?'" Anderson later told CBS Mornings. After two weeks of persistence, Anderson called Nazemi at school, saying that he had arranged an interview. Nazemi was asked if he could travel to Cleveland, where Clinton would be making an appearance.

Nazemi and Bornhauser collected questions from classmates and recorded their trip. The interview lasted well beyond the 8-minute scheduled time, during which Clinton spoke with them about education policy, the environment, and his priorities for the country. Nazemi later said that Anderson’s willingness to answer his calls and take him seriously left a lasting impression. "He treated me with kindness and encouragement," he said. The experience shaped his future. Nazemi went on to study at MIT and Harvard Business School, founded four startups, including one focused on banking solutions for older adults. When asked if the interview with Clinton influenced his path, he said it "absolutely" did.

Years later, Nazemi decided to return the favor to Anderson, who was now a father of two. He received a note in the mail explaining that Nazemi had opened college savings funds for his children, Noah and Maddie. "Many thanks for letting me take a swing in my field of dreams so many years ago. Your doing so opened up my mind and eyes to what is possible," he wrote. What Kevin did for Anderson’s family is a textbook example of the norm of reciprocity. A study from the World Happiness Report shows that even long after the initial favor, people often repay with kindness of equal or greater value. Nazemi recently met the two children in person as Noah prepared to start college.

"What I’ve done is so small compared to what your dad did for me. Thank you for the never-ending gift that started with me but is being passed on to so many others," he said. CBS News later arranged a reunion between Nazemi and Clinton in Washington, as shared on their Instagram @cbsmornings. Nazemi told him that the opportunity had shaped both his professional and personal outlook. "It convinced me that you set really big goals and stay persistent. And the experience of sitting down with you showcased traits I’ve tried to carry forward in my life." Clinton recalled discussing whether to approve the request and deciding that anyone who worked that hard deserved a chance. "I didn’t always get the best press, but I knew I’d get a straight interview from you," he said.