BmoreNews Publisher Meets White House Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre

"I got the sense that we were walking into history"

(WHITE HOUSE – October 1, 2022) – It was a mind-blowing day for BmoreNews.com publisher Doni Glover as he joined other Black journalists on a tour of the White House as a part of the 2022 Congressional Black Caucus Conference activities.

During the tour, these journalists met Karine Jean-Pierre. She is the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ person to be White House press secretary.

“I got the sense that we were walking into history,” said Glover. “And she was very nice, … and pretty smart, too. Frankly, I am so pleased that the Biden-Harris Administration gets it. What? They get it about the need to engage the Black Press! I always reference back to the National Newspaper Publisher Association Convention held some years back in Portland, Oregon where Willie Brown gave the keynote and he reiterated the power of the Black church and the Black Press. So, yes, to spend a moment with Ms. Jean-Pierre was indeed a step into the history books for BmoreNews.com, our readers, and our advertisers for that matter in this our 20th year of operation. We get the sacred opportunity to stand on the shoulders of giants like Ethel Payne and Harry McAlpin and those other Black journalists and professionals who were the first to work at the White House as journalists and tell the story from our own perspective. I think this means a lot to Black and otherwise marginalized journalists everywhere. It’s progress for sure … starting right here at the White House!”

Karine Jean-Pierre’s professional experience has ranged widely from presidential campaigns to grassroots activism to local politics, to working in the White House. Jean-Pierre is the Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst. Jean-Pierre previously served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President.

Prior to joining the O’Malley Campaign: In 2014 she was the Campaign Manager for ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiate (RFI). Previously, she managed Tish James’ successful campaign for New York City Public Advocate.

In 2011, Jean-Pierre served as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, managing the President’s political engagement in key states while leading the delegate selection and ballot access process.

Before joining the re-election campaign, Jean-Pierre served as the Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, she worked on the Obama for America campaign in 2008 as the Southeast Regional Political Director; she served the John Edwards for President Campaign in the same capacity.

Jean-Pierre’s interests demonstrate her concern for integrity and the human condition. In graduate school, she explored her Haitian roots through documentary film. Later, she worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics and pushed major companies like Wal-Mart to change their business practices. While working in New York, Jean-Pierre served as Press Secretary to Congressmen Anthony Weiner, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two City Council Members respectively in the New York City Council.

Jean-Pierre joined the Columbia University faculty in 2014 where she teaches a course at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She received her MPA from Columbia University’s SIPA in 2003. (Source: http://www.karinejean-pierre.com/)