Source:https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3260213/meet-first-black-openly-gay-white-house-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-who-works-under-president
StyleEntertainment

Meet the first Black, openly gay White House press secretary: Karine Jean-Pierre, who works under President Joe Biden, is a former MSNBC political analyst and an outspoken advocate for mental health

  • Before serving as press sec, Jean-Pierre was regional political director for the White House Office during Barack Obama’s administration; she currently co-parents her kid with ex-CNN journalist Suzanne Malveaux
  • Her family fled Haiti and moved to Martinique, eventually settling in Queens, New York, and she is the author of a memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America

Lynn Farah
Meet Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black and openly gay press secretary for the White House. Photo: @k_jeanpierre/Instagram

Karine Jean-Pierre is the first Black person, first Haitian-American and first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House press secretary. The powerful political player speaks for US President Joe Biden to a global audience.

But her journey to the lectern has not been easy. Jean-Pierre grew up in a conservative household that was not tolerant of her sexuality, and she also faced sexual abuse as a child. Later, though, she studied at Columbia University and eventually became a political analyst.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2026 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.