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
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.
Here is what you need to know about Jean-Pierre’s incredible journey to the White House.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s background
According to philanthropic fund Carnegie Corporation of New York, Jean-Pierre’s parents fled Haiti and moved to the Caribbean island of Martinique, where she was born. The family later immigrated to New York, US, settling in Queens.
Jean-Pierre opened up about her childhood on X (formerly Twitter), writing that even though her father was a teacher and engineer in Haiti, he worked as a cab driver in New York. She added that her mum was not only a home healthcare aide, but also ran her own hair salon.
She co-parents a daughter with her ex-partner
Jean-Pierre is a single mother to a daughter, nine-year-old Soleil, who she co-parents with ex-partner, ex-CNN journalist Suzanne Malveaux. Jean-Pierre and Malveaux were together for a decade but eventually split up, Vogue reported in 2023. They adopted their daughter in 2014.
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The political heavyweight has openly spoken about being gay. She recalled how she told her mother she was lesbian at 16 and could immediately see the “revulsion in her face”, per The New York Times. She added that she and her mum did not discuss the issue for years afterwards.
Her political accolades
In her 2019 book, Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America, she spoke about her life as a first-generation Haitian-American and shared lessons from her life in politics.
She remembers her roots
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She is outspoken about mental health
Much like any woman in the political space – or in any public-facing role, for that matter – Jean-Pierre often comes under scrutiny for her appearance. Whether it’s her natural curls or fashion sense, the first-generation Haitian-American is no stranger to comments on her looks.
But Jean-Pierre seems to prefer speaking out about her passions instead – like she did after getting a standing ovation at the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in New York City in 2022.
“I am proud of the work that GLAAD and so many LGBTQ+ organisations have done to speak up on matters that move our country forward, like voting rights, reproductive rights, the Equality Act, and appointing the first Black female justice to the Supreme Court,” she said.
Per The New York Times, Jean-Pierre was sexually abused by a cousin and she later attempted to take her own life. Now, Jean-Pierre speaks about mental health often, hoping to let others know “there is a way out”. She grew up in a strict Catholic household where trauma was not discussed, per the same publication. Through her openness she is hoping to change the narrative.
If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can dial 18111 for the government-run Mental Health Support Hotline. You can also call +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services.
- 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