Karine Jean-Pierre was appointed as the new White House Press Secretary by US President Joe Biden on Thursday, making her the first Black, openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the post. She will replace the outgoing Jen Psaki after the latter’s departure on May 13.

“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,” Biden said, announcing the appointment.

“Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration,” the President added, expressing his confidence in the new appointee.

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No stranger to the role, Jean-Pierre has served in the Biden-Harris administration’s senior communication team January 2021.

A seasoned player in the political arena, Jean-Pierre’s career in politics began under New York City councilor James F. Gennaro, for whom she worked as director of legislative and budget affairs.

The 44-year-old went on to serve as the southeast regional political director for Barack Obama‘s presidential campaign in 2008, prior to serving as the Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

In 2014, Jean-Pierre joined Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs as a lecturer.

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Subsequently, the 44-year-old joined MoveOn.org, a progressive public policy advocacy group, in 2016, before working as a political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News.

When Joe Biden ran for President, Jean-Pierre joined his team as a senior advisor, and in November 2020, she was named as the Principal Deputy Press Secretary.

Jean-Pierre held her first White House press briefing in May 2021, becoming the first Black person to do so since 1991. She also became the first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold a White House press briefing.