WASHINGTON (AP) — Karine Jean-Pierre is slated to step into her new role as the next White House press secretary on May 13.
Jean-Pierre, 44, who currently serves as principal deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president, will replace current press secretary Jen Psaki, officials said.
“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,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.”
Here are five things to know about the White House’s next spokesperson:
Her promotion is a historic one
Jean-Pierre will become the first Black and openly gay woman to serve as White House press secretary. Last May, she made history when she led her first full press briefing and fielded questions in the White House briefing room, becoming only the second Black woman to do so.
“It’s a real honor to be standing here today,” she said, according to NBC News. “Clearly the president believes that representation matters, and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity.”
She’s no stranger to politics or The White House
As a longtime adviser to Biden, Jean-Pierre has filled “senior communication and political roles” in the president’s administration, worked on the Biden campaign and served under him when he was vice president in President Barack Obama’s administration.
Additionally, she was the regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administrations.
She also served as chief of staff for then-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the Biden campaign.
She’s an immigrant
Jean-Pierre was born on the Caribbean island of Martinique after her parents fled Haiti.
Her family immigrated to New York City when she was 5.
“That immigrant upbringing, growing up in New York, it shaped everything and anything that I’m about,” she told PBS NewsHour. “My parents … came here for the American dream that in many ways eluded them. They still live check to check, but in their eyes, because I made it to the White House … they have received it.”
She has worked with political advocacy groups
Jean-Pierre previously served as chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org, which bills itself as “the largest independent progressive advocacy group in the country,” according to the group’s Facebook page.
