KARINE Jean-Pierre made history in 2021 and has continued to rise through the ranks of the Biden-Harris administration.
In May 2022, it was announced that she will be the new White House press secretary, replacing Jen Psaki.
Born August 13, 1977, Jean-Pierre, 44, is known as an American political campaign organizer, activist, political commentator, and author.
Jean-Pierre has been serving as the White House Deputy Press Secretary to Jen Psaki since January 2021.
Prior to this, Jean-Pierre was President Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff, while he was campaigning for the presidency.
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After she joined Psaki’s team, she then made history on May 26, 2021, by becoming the first openly gay woman and the second Black woman to hold the prestigious position.
Jean-Pierre made history while announcing history — namely, that the Biden administration had just confirmed Kristen Clarke as the first woman of color to head up the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
At the time, Jean-Pierre was very proud of her accomplishment.
“I appreciate the historic nature, I really do,” she said. “But I believe being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person. It’s about what we do on behalf of the American people.”
With her new position as White House press secretary, she will make history once again by becoming the first black woman and the first openly gay person to hold the position.
Jean-Pierre’s new position was first announced on May 5, 2022, in a statement made by President Biden.
“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,” the president said, via NBC News.
“Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.”
Jean-Pierre’s new role will begin following Psaki’s last day on May 13.
In 2021, Jean-Pierre shared part of her story on Twitter in honor of Pride Month.
She wrote: “I came out to my Mom when I was 16 years old. The revolted look on her face sent me running back into the proverbial closet and slamming the door shut. After that, my sexuality became a family secret and it would stay that way for years.
“I dated, but I hid those relationships from my family. Just as American society has evolved over the course of the past couple of decades to embrace the LGBTQ community (never forgetting we still have work to do), my family has evolved to embrace my membership in it.”
According to a Gallup poll, 7.1% of Americans now identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, but an even smaller percentage is Black women.
The number has risen since 2021 when only 5.6% of Americans identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Gallup notes.
Jean-Pierre expressed her pride in her small but vulnerable community, writing: “I’m proud to be an out Black Queer woman and I have been for quite some time. I’m happy to say, my Mother is now proud of ALL of who I am; she loves my partner and she loves being a doting grandmother to the daughter we are raising.”
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“My journey towards feeling accepted by myself and loved ones wasn’t an easy one, but it was worthwhile. No matter where you are in your journey, I see you, we see you and we celebrate you – Happy Pride!” she concluded.
Jean-Pierre is currently in a relationship with CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and they share a daughter named Soleil Malveaux Jean-Pierre.
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