President Joe Biden on Thursday announced Karine Jean-Pierre as his new pick for White House Press Secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ+ person to hold the position and the daughter of Haitian immigrants.
Jean-Pierre, who will replace Jen Psaki, was born in Martinique to Haitian parents and raised in New York. Her father was a taxi driver and her mother worked as a home health aide.
“This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me,” Jean-Pierre said at Thursday’s press briefing. “I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities, that I stand on their shoulders and I have been throughout my career,” she added.
Jean-Pierre, who currently serves as the principal deputy press secretary, will take over on May 13, following Psaki’s last day.
“She will be the first Black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this role,” said Psaki, embracing Jean-Pierre at the podium, “which is amazing because representation matters and she is going to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard, and dream big and that matters, and … we should celebrate that.”