Karine Jean-Pierre reflects on legacy as she accepts award from Greater Washington Urban League

WASHINGTON – Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary under the Biden Administration, received on Friday the inaugural Torchbearer in Communications Award from the Greater Washington Urban League on March 28 at its annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala. The nonprofit, which focuses on economic empowerment, recognized Jean-Pierre’s work and “courage under fire” during her time at the White House. 

In that role, she navigated a hostile political landscape, fielding difficult questions and defending Biden administration policies, all while facing criticism and personal attacks as the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House press secretary. 

It’s been a long road and a “difficult couple of months,” Jean-Pierre said while accepting the award. “[Receiving] this award from all of you truly matters.”

She continued: “It’s an honor to be seen as someone who has courage under fire,” adding that it’s “not easy to have courage under fire. It’s not lost on me or on the people who came before me.”

During her acceptance speech, she reflected on the impact of her work while acknowledging the barriers she’s overcome along the way.

“I was able to stand at that podium every day and honor democracy in action, honor what it means to be in that place that was built by us, and it was not lost on me,” Jean-Pierre said.

“Every time I walked into the West Wing and thought to myself, here I am. I was not supposed to be in that place. As a statistic, I was not supposed to be there, but here I am. I made it.”

The audience included sports and political leaders, community advocates, and folks visibly moved by Jean-Pierre’s remarks, with some wiping away tears, others nodding in agreement.

Greater Washington Urban League President and CEO George Lambert said he selected Jean-Pierre as the inaugural recipient of the award because her leadership has set a powerful example.

“She has had a major impact and influence in terms of the work that she has done [and] when we talk about courage under fire, and she alluded to it tonight, a lot of [it is in] where she fills the gaps, stepped in and really led. Quite frankly, [it] represents and exemplifies courage under fire,” Lambert said.

Will Dawkins, general manager of the Washington Wizards, was also honored with the Beacon of Grace Award. In 2023, Dawkins was racially profiled at Saks Fifth Avenue in Miami. Rather than press charges, he instead asked the luxury brand to donate to three organizations.

He told The Haitian Times he didn’t feel worthy of receiving an award alongside Jean-Pierre but was honored to be part of the event and eager to connect with the other honorees to continue his social impact work.

At the gala, Jean-Pierre joined CNN anchor and chief legal analyst Laura Coates for a fireside chat, where she discussed how she stayed focused during her time as press secretary.

Jean-Pierre said she stayed focused by avoiding both praise and criticism about herself. “One rule I had was not to read anything good or bad,” she said. “That’s how I stayed grounded.”

She added that co-parenting her child gave her purpose and helped her through the pressures of the role. “As long as the president wanted me in that position, I was going to give it everything I had — and show up for the communities who saw themselves in me. I felt seen,” she said.

Her presence in the White House inspired a new generation to see themselves in spaces they once thought were out of reach.

Jean-Pierre said some of the most rewarding moments during her tenure came when young girls recognized her. Seeing “eight- or nine-year-old girls who knew who I was” reminded her of how much visibility matters.

“When I was that age, I had no idea who the White House press secretary was,” she said. “The fact that they felt seen tells you the power of representation.”

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