Get used to seeing Karine Jean-Pierre standing at the White House podium.

She’s making history — as the first black White House Press Secretary. She’s also the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the position.

"I appreciate the historic nature. I really do. But I believe that 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,” said Jean-Pierre.

What You Need To Know

  • Karine Jean-Pierre is set to be the first black White House Press Secretary

  • She's also the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the position

  • Jean-Pierre grew up in Queens Village, the daughter of Haitian immigrants

Jean-Pierre comes from humble beginnings. She’s the daughter of Haitian immigrants, she was born in Martinique and raised in Queens Village. Her dad was a taxi driver and her mom a healthcare worker. Jean-Pierre is a Columbia University graduate. She got her start in New York City politics, working as the Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for Councilmember James Gennaro.

"I was looking for someone to do two jobs, and it had to be someone special. And it looks like I certainly picked the right person," said Gennaro.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards worked with Jean-Pierre later in then Councilmember James Sanders' office.

She had to deal with the city's economic issues as Sanders was that committee's chair and now she'll have to answer for the president's economic policies as the country faces its own challenges.

"She's going to do fine. She's Southeast Queens tough. She's Queens strong, Queens tough. That's what we're taught. When I talk about nothing being given to us, we come from these hard scrap streets of Southeast Queens and understand we got to have broad shoulders and thick skin and she's going to handle this job,” said Richards.

After leaving from her roles in the City Council, Jean-Pierre worked for the Obama Administration — and has served as the deputy to current Press secretary Jen Psaki in the Biden administration. She also worked as a political analyst and consultant — sometimes appearing on "Inside City Hall."

“You want to make sure they’re ready! And that they’re prepared,” said Jean-Pierre on a 2015 "Inside City Hall" roundtable.

Her former colleagues say she's prepared for her very high profile role. Jean-Pierre will officially take over next Friday.