Registration now closed

The Public Square: Karine Jean-Pierre

Breaking Barriers, Leading with Purpose

Former Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to the President discusses how leaders can use their positions to inspire and uplift others.

As one of the most visible communicators in the Nation’s Capital, Karine Jean-Pierre has made history—by being first and by using her platform to fight for others. 
 
What does it mean to stand behind the White House podium as a trailblazer? As the first Black and openly queer White House Press Secretary and Senior Advisory to the President, Jean-Pierre shaped national conversations and expanded access to power. Her career has been defined by public service, advocacy, and the power of representation at the highest levels of government. 
 
From grassroots activism to advising presidents, Jean-Pierre has always believed in the power of public service to uplift communities. Her journey demonstrates that representation can be symbolic and transformational. In every role, she has worked to amplify the voices of communities long shut out of power and ensure that government serves the people. 
 
Presented as part of The Public Square, the DC Public Library’s signature lecture series, Jean-Pierre will reflect on the historic nature of her role, the importance of Black and women’s leadership, and how using your voice can drive meaningful change. 
 
Jean-Pierre’s discussion will explore: 

• Breaking Barriers in Leadership – What it means to be the first Black and queer White House Press Secretary and Senior Advisory to the President and how history shaped her path. 
• The Power of the Podium – How a spokesperson can be an advocate, using their platform to give voice to the people. 
• Hope & Representation in Politics – Why diversity in leadership matters and how it inspires the next generation.
• Fighting for People – How her role went beyond messaging to standing up for communities long excluded from power. Through moderated discussions, DC Public Library’s Public Square series realizes the idea of libraries as a third place by connecting leaders and innovators with the public to talk about the next phase of their work or scholarship. The Public Square is made possible with the generous support of the DC Public Library Foundation. 

For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice. 
 
Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretary and is the longest serving female in this role. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communications and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and in the Obama Administration. Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.  
 
Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.  
 
She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council. 
 
Previously, Karine worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, pushing major companies to change their business practices, and is the author of her memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University. 
 
The DC Public Library Foundation partners with the DC Public Library to enhance Washington, DC’s public libraries, bringing private philanthropy together with government support to ensure that our libraries deliver the highest quality of service to the District’s residents. With the help of many generous people, the Foundation provides educational programs for children and youth, workforce development training, cultural events, and collection enhancements for DC’s libraries. 

Upcoming events