“I am everything that Donald Trump hates: woman, black, gay and mom”, she declared in 2018. Thursday, May 5, Karine Jean-Pierre was appointed spokesperson for the White House by the President of the United States. United Joe Biden.
At 44, she succeeds Democrat Jen Psaki, whose deputy she was until now, who will leave her post on May 13.
"She will give a voice to many people and she will allow many others to have big dreams," wrote his predecessor on Twitter, in the wake of his appointment.
Indeed, Karine Jean-Pierre embodies a new era in American politics, becoming the first black and openly homosexual woman to take the helm of this high-responsibility post.
The latter is married to a CNN journalist with whom she adopted a daughter, now 7 years old.
In a press release, the White House said it was very "proud" of its future "Press Secretary", praising her "experience, talent and creativity".
An activist at heart
It must be said that Karine Jean-Pierre already has a long track record behind her.
Born in Fort-de-France, Martinique, of Haitian parents, she migrated to New York at the age of 5.
At that time, his father was a taxi driver while his mother was a home health aide, according to AFP information.
It was in this city that she earned a master's degree in public affairs at the prestigious Columbia University, before being appointed director of legislative and budgetary affairs for city councilor James F. Gennaro.
At the same time, his involvement in the associative world establishes his public notoriety a little more.
Indeed, Karine Jean-Pierre is the spokesperson for the left-wing organization MoveOn.org, and is very active in combating mental health problems.
She recounted having been the victim of sexual violence in her childhood, a traumatic episode after which she sank into depression, going so far as to want to end her life.
The new spokeswoman for the White House is extremely committed to the fight for equality for African Americans.
On his Instagram account appears in particular a photo of Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd, killed on May 25, 2020 by police in the state of Minnesota.
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In 2008 and at only 31 years old, Karine Jean-Pierre joined Barack Obama's team during his first presidential campaign, and signed again for that of 2012. Enriched by these two experiences, she will also work in 2020 to lead to the presidential campaign of Joe Biden, by becoming chief of staff of Kamala Harris, future vice-president of the United States.
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Interviewed on March 17 by
Ebony
, a magazine for the African-American public, Karine Jean-Pierre had to think about her own posture and the importance of being a black woman in the White House.
“It gives visibility to African Americans.
It shows them that we can do it.
It shows them that the voices of many of the communities that I represent can be heard on behalf of the president.
It is such an important responsibility that I carry it with honor,” she concluded.
