Karine Jean-Pierre is first Black women in 30 years to deliver White House Press Briefing

By Teddy Grant Published: May 27, 2021

Karine Jean-Pierre is first Black women in 30 years to deliver White House Press Briefing

Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre conducts press briefing at the Biden White House, becoming first openly gay spokeswoman and second Black woman ever to hold the role. Source: White House

By: Teddy Gant

Karine Jean-Pierre became the first openly gay woman and second Black woman to give a press briefing from the White House on Wednesday.

Jean-Pierre serves as the principal deputy press secretary for the Biden administration.

“It’s a real honor just to be standing here today,” said Jean-Pierre, who’s the principal deputy secretary for the Biden Administration. “I appreciate the historic nature. I really do. But I believe being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building is not about one person. It’s about what we do on behalf of the American people.”

It’s been 30 years since a Black woman briefed the press from the White House briefing room. Judy Smith, the inspiration behind the television show Scandal, was the first Black woman to give a press briefing when she worked as deputy press secretary for President George H.W. Bush in 1991, according to NBC News.

BNC’s Charles Blow praised Jean-Pierre on his show Prime, saying, “She deserves to be championed three times over.”