Biden Appoints First Black Press Secretary At The White House 

Only one other Black woman had ever served as deputy White House press secretary, Judy Smith, during George Walker Bush’s administration in 1991.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Karine Jean-Pierre was selected the new White House press secretary by US President Joe Biden on Thursday, making her the first black woman to hold the high-profile position.

From May 13, Jean-Pierre, who would be the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender person to hold the position, would take over for Jen Psaki, under whom she served as deputy.

Biden said he was proud to announce Jean-appointment, Pierre’s praising her experience, talent, and integrity.

Bringing Jean-Pierre behind the podium for the usual briefing of recognised journalists at the White House on Thursday, the outgoing spokesperson extolled the talents of her deputy, whom she hugged multiple times, in a voice occasionally choked with emotion.

Jean-Pierre  “will be the first Black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this role,”  according to Psaki, who has stated that she will step down during Biden’s tenure.

Pierre’s is  “amazing because representation matters and she is going to give a voice to so many and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big,” Psaki continued, declining to comment on media claims that she might join MSNBC after leaving the White House.

“This is a historic moment and it’s not lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many people.”the future press secretary added, evidently touched.

Jean-Pierre, who has a kid with her Cable News Network journalist spouse, has already seized Psaki’s number two spot at the White House’s James S. Brady press briefing room.

She will take centre stage at the daily White House news briefing, which is aired live and closely watched, beginning in May.

Only one other Black woman had ever served as deputy White House press secretary, Judy Smith, during George Walker Bush’s administration in 1991.