Karine Jean-Pierre To Become the First Black and First Openly LGTBQ White House Press Secretary

Karine Jean-Pierre will make history again by becoming the first Black and openly LGBTQ white house press secretary.

Karine Jean-Pierre to make history

She will replace Jen Psaki when Psaki departs from the senior communications position on May 13 for an on-air role on MSNBC.

In a statement issued Thursday, President Joe Biden announced Jean-Pierre’s promotion.

“Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden, 79, said. “Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.”

This is not the first time the 44-year-old has made histoty.

Last May, Jean-Pierre became the first openly gay woman, and only the second Black woman, to lead a press briefing.

She said then: “It’s a real honor to be standing here today … I appreciate the historic nature,” adding, “I believe that being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person.”

Born in Haiti, Jean-Pierre formerly worked as a campaign organizer and as the national spokeswoman for MoveOn.org before joining the Biden administration.

Jean-Pierre is currently the Principal Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President. She is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communication and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and to then-Vice President Biden in the Obama Administration.