Karine Jean-Pierre is set to become the first Black White House press secretary after Jen Psaki leaves the position on May 13, according to CNN. President Joe Biden announced the historic news in a statement released on Thursday. Jean-Pierre will also be the first out LGBTQ+ person to hold the position.

“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,” Biden said in the statement shared with Blavity.

He went on to acknowledge Psaki, saying she “set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room.”

Jean-Pierre, who’s currently the White House’s principal deputy press secretary, has also worked as an adviser on Biden’s campaign and was Vice President Kamala Harris’ chief of staff.

She has filled in for Psaki on multiple occasions, including when the press secretary tested positive for COVID-19.

Last May, Jean-Pierre became the second Black woman to hold the daily press briefing.

Prior to her promotion, Jean-Pierre recognized the significance of Black people breaking barriers, Afro News reports.

“When you see someone doing something in a position that you normally don’t see them in, it becomes normal,” she said, according to Afro News. “And that is so important to think about. It’s like we need to break through and be the first so that it becomes normal, so that there’s a second and a third and a fourth.”

“Representation matters. Being the first matters, and hopefully there’s two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine people after me, after all of us who are in historical positions will be able to do, because that’s what really matters,” she said. “I feel like sometimes it’s not just about the first, it’s about the people who come behind you as well.”

She also mentioned that the Biden administration has done a commendable job on making sure the White House represents the diverse country.

“There are qualified, immensely qualified voices and individuals for all of these positions, but you have to be purposeful,” she said.

“We have to make it a point and make it part of our agenda. I think that’s what the President has done, I think that’s what the Vice President has done. They came into the Administration and they said we’re going to make a point and you’re going to see the diversity around us and they’re making sure that happens. So that’s what you need. You need people who are going to put that on their agenda and actually execute it, and that’s what you’re going to see. It’s about who you’re bringing with you,” she added.

According to NBC News, Jean-Pierre was born in Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. during her youth. She grew up in Queens, New York.