Washington – Some would call it making good on a promise. When presidential candidate Joe Biden was campaigning for office, he promised his team would look like America if elected.

The appointment of Karine Jean-Pierre as White House Press Secretary is holding to that promise. Jean-Pierre, 44, will become the first Black, the first Haitianborn, and the first openly gay person to hold the position. She will assume her new role May 13. She currently holds the position of principal deputy press secretary.

In a statement, the president said: “Karine 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.”

She has served on the White House senior communications team since Biden took office. Before then she was an advisor to his campaign and chief of staff to now Vice-President Kamala Harris. JeanPierre responded to the press in kind to her place in history. “I’m still processing it because …..this is a historic moment and it’s not lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many people out there. So many different communities that I stand on their shoulders,” she said. “It is an honor and privilege to stand behind this podium.”

Reaction is pouring in. Prominent South Florida attorney and Haitian American, Byrnes Guillaume, of West Palm Beach, says it’s a groundbreaking moment for everyone. “I think when you have someone being the ‘first,’ it means it can be done-especially for the young people. I also think it’s Biden fulfilling his campaign promises. It’s really him making good on what we’ve done for him,” stated Guillaume. “And for what I’ve read about her, it’s all positive. She has the skillset and she’s breaking that glass ceiling for young people.”

It was no surprise that current press secretary Jen Psaki would leave the post. As the two announced the transition, Psaki had glowing things to say about her successor. At the introduction, Psaki summed up the history making appointment and told reporters: “She will be the first Black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this role, which is amazing because representation matters, and she is going to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard, and dream big, and that matters. We should celebrate that,” Psaki quipped.

Jean-Pierre began her political career in New York working for various city council members. She eventually became a key staff member on the presidential campaigns of John Edwards and Barack Obama. That eventually led her to a White House post with the Department of Labor.

Jean-Pierre was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States by way of Martinique when she was 5. She grew up in Queens Village, New York. She reportedly lives with her partner, CNN news correspondent Suzanne Malveaux and their young daughter in the Washington DC area.

In her book and memoir, ‘Moving Forward,’ Jean-Pierre recounts coming out as a lesbian to her mother at age 16.