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 would be the White House press secretary, replacing Jen Psaki.
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Who is Joe Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre?
Karine Jean-Pierre is known as an American political campaign organizer, activist, political commentator, and author.
Jean-Pierre began serving as the White House Deputy Press Secretary to Jen Psaki in January 2021.
Before this, Jean-Pierre was President Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff, while he was campaigning for the presidency.
After she joined Psaki’s team, she 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 confirmed Kristen Clarke as the first woman of color to head up the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“I appreciate the historic nature, I really do,” she said of her accomplishment.
“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.”
When did Jean-Pierre become the White House’s press secretary?
With her appointment as White House press secretary, she made history 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.
“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 role began following Psaki’s last day on May 13, 2022.
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When did Jean-Pierre split from her ex-partner, Suzanne Malveaux?
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 2022 Gallup poll, 7.1% of Americans identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, but an even smaller percentage is Black women.
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.”
“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 was in a relationship with former CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
The couple first met at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, as reported by People.
In September 2023, Jean-Pierre revealed in a Vogue profile that she and Malveaux had separated.
The two share a daughter named Soleil Malveaux Jean-Pierre who they adopted in 2014 and continue to co-parent.
“I’m a single mom who is co-parenting this amazing kid,” she said.
“Our number-one priority is her privacy and to make sure we create an environment that’s nurturing.”