For Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue recognizing the economic, cultural, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Karine Jean-Pierre was born on August 13, 1977, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, to Haitian parents. Since Martinique is a French territory located in the Caribbean, Jean-Pierre was born with French citizenship.
At five years old, her family relocated to Queens Village, New York. Her mother worked as a home health aide, and her father was a taxi driver. Both parents worked tirelessly, and their demanding work schedules left Jean-Pierre responsible for her two younger siblings.
She was later naturalized as a U.S. citizen and holds dual citizenship with the United States and France.
Jean-Pierre earned a Bachelor of Science from the New York Institute of Technology in 1997. In 2003, graduated with a Master of Public Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Following graduate school, she worked for New York City Council member James F. Gennaro as the director of Legislative and Budget Affairs. A year later, she worked on John Edwards’ presidential campaign as director for the Southeast region. This role marked one of her first steps in national politics. Once Edwards’ presidential campaign ended, she joined then-candidate Barack Obama’s campaign.
Jean-Pierre served on the Obama presidential inauguration committee until January 2009, when she transitioned to the White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Labor. From May 2009 to March 2011, she was regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs.
In 2013, she returned to her alma mater, Columbia University, as a lecturer in international and public affairs. Three years later, in 2016, she became the senior advisor and national spokesperson for MoveOn.org. A senior advisor to the Biden presidential campaign, she was later named the White House principal deputy press secretary following the 2020 election.
She is the second black woman and the first openly gay woman to ever hold the position.
Following the end of her tenure in 2025, Karine Jean-Pierre has transitioned to being a private citizen, author, and registered political independent.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month:
2025
Winome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lisa Dunkley, Florida State Representative
Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Aerospace Engineer
Patrick Ewing, NBA Hall of Fame center