Thursday in a press release, President Joe Biden announced that Karine Jean-Pierre (43) had been appointed as the new White House press spokesperson to replace Jen Psaki, who will leave office on May 13.

Karine Jean-Pierre becomes the first black woman of Haitian origin (born of Haitian parents in New York and clearly identifying as a lesbian, to hold this position. Before her in 1991 there was only one other black woman, Judy Smith, who served as Deputy White House Spokesperson under George W. Bush.

"I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretaryy. KKarine 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. Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration," President Biden wrote in his statement.

Find out more about Karine Jean-Pierre :

At 43, Karine Jean-Pierre was born in the Martinique and raised in New York by her Haitian parents who had left the country for economic reasons. She graduated from the prestigious Columbia University, where she was also a professor.

Karine Jean-Pierre is a long-time adviser to President Biden, previously Vice President of the United States of America. Jean-Pierre served as Regional Policy Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and Deputy Director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. She also served as Regional Policy Director for South- Is for President Obama's campaign in 2008.

Reacting to this appointment, the Ambassador of Haiti in Washington. Bocchit Edmond said, "On behalf of the Haitian Government, I would like to congratulate Karine Jean-Pierre on her appointment as the new White House Information Secretary. We are proud of your accomplishments. We are certain that you will be the role model for all young women in America, especially Haitian Americans."

HL/ HaitiLibre