Karine Jean Pierre is ready to take the stage.
President Joe Biden’s former White House press secretary is thrust into a new spotlight as host of this year’s 17th Annual African American Film Critics Awards, Variety exclusively reveals.
Jean-Pierre, 51, joins AAFCA’s impressive roster of inaugural hosts, joining comedian Amber Ruffin, who hosted last year’s film awards ceremony, and “American Idol” Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, who served as the association’s television honorary host in 2025. A ceremony honoring filmmaking will be held on February 8th in Los Angeles.
This year’s winners include Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, director Ryan Coogler, and the hit animated feature KPop Demon Hunters. Winners are selected by more than 100 members of the African American Film Critics Association.
Jean-Pierre is no stranger to making history. She served as the 35th White House press secretary from 2022 to 2025, making her the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the position. Hosting the awards ceremony marks a notable change in trajectory for the veteran political adviser, and it’s one she doesn’t take lightly.
“I don’t want it to be about me,” Jean-Pierre told Variety. “I play a small role here. My job is to honor, celebrate and uplift the great artists who are being recognized.”
Jean-Pierre has long admired AAFCA’s mission and leadership, making it an “easy yes” to host the show. “For 17 years, the AAFCA Awards have celebrated extraordinary contributions to the film industry, and I am simply in awe of Gil Robertson and his team,” she says. “Our mission is to celebrate storytellers who explore different aspects of humanity through diverse perspectives. Would you like to help elevate that?”
Despite being one of the most prominent communicators in American politics, Jean-Pierre is adamant that the evening remains focused on the artist. “One of the things I learned in the news communications world is that you can’t make yourself the news,” she says. “We want it to be light, fun, smooth and starry-eyed.”
Jean-Pierre’s career path since taking the White House has been different from that of his predecessors, as politics influences nearly every aspect of daily life. One might expect the former press secretary’s next step to be for her to pivot to cable news or become a political commentator. When asked whether his absence was a conscious choice, Jean-Pierre candidly said that his career was not about following a set path.
“I’ve always thought of myself as someone who does things differently,” she says. “I don’t follow a set path or look at the people in front of me and copy their trajectory. That’s never me. I like to do things my own way and I like to ask myself, ‘How can I make an impact? How can I be different?'”
Among the people she’s looking forward to meeting are some of the night’s honorees, especially the cast and filmmakers of “Sinners,” which she calls “one of the greatest pieces of work I’ve seen in a long time.”
“I’ve never met Michael B. Jordan,” she says excitedly. “And Ryan Coogler — it would be great just to have exposure to him. He’s unbelievably good.”
Jean-Pierre, who recently published a memoir, “Independent,” says hosting aligns with a broader desire to tell stories beyond the realm of politics. After 20 years in politics, she plans to continue engaging in public discourse, but sees this next chapter as an opportunity to expand her influence through storytelling and mentoring.
After 20 years in politics, Jean-Pierre says his focus is now on uplifting the communities he cares about. Most recently, she acquired the rights to the story of Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne, the first two black women in the White House press corps, and she wants Hollywood to tell their story. “Women asked questions of the president, but were often ignored by the men’s clubs, and yet very few people knew their names,” says Jean-Pierre passionately. “I recently acquired their book and would like to help bring their story to life.”
In November 2023, while serving as press secretary, she dedicated the White House podium in their names and honored their accomplishments.
She says her next career chapter will focus on telling important stories, potentially as a producer and writer, while continuing to mentor young people and develop new writing projects.
“My career has always been a zigzag,” she says. “I go for what excites me, what I feel is meaningful. That’s how I want to continue to do things. It’s my way.”
Still, Jean-Pierre acknowledges that hosting an awards ceremony at a time of political and cultural turmoil carries added weight.
“I need this right now,” she declares. “We need opportunities and spaces to celebrate ourselves. To be seen this way, and for little boys and girls in our community to see us this way.”
As conversations around diversity and inclusion remain fraught, Jean-Pierre believes events like the AAFCA Awards are essential.
“We cannot let our stories die. We must be bold and keep telling them. There is real value in telling our journey and letting the next generation know how great we are.”
AAFCA President and Co-Founder Jill Robertson said she was “excited” to welcome Jean-Pierre to the AAFCA family.
“She’s modern, reliable and competent,” Robertson says. “She has a background in journalism and has been at the very heart of popular events. We love her energy and vibe, and that’s what people expect from us: a smart host who joins the conversation.”
As Jean-Pierre prepares to take the stage, her approach remains as rooted in service as it was behind the White House podium.
“My message is to continue to hold each other,” she says. “Telling our stories is more important than ever.”
