Karine Jean-Pierre hosts the 2026 African American Film Critics Awards

Karine Jean-Pierre will take on a new public role, this time far from the White House briefing room. President Joe Biden’s former press secretary has been selected to host the 17th annual African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards, an honor announced exclusively by Variety. The ceremony will take place on February 8 in Los Angeles and celebrate excellence in film as chosen by more than 100 AAFCA members.

Jean-Pierre, 51, follows a lineup of notable presenters, including comedian Amber Ruffin, who took home the film awards last year, and singer Jordin Sparks, who emceed the AAFCA’s 2025 televised ceremony. This year’s winners include Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson and director Ryan Coogler, along with the animated breakout KPop Demon Hunters.

While this move marks a shift from politics to entertainment, Jean-Pierre says her focus remains firmly on those being honored. “I don’t want it to be about me,” she said Variety. “I play a small role here. My job is to honor, celebrate and lift up the brilliant artists who are being recognized.”

Jean-Pierre, who served as the 35th White House press secretary from 2022 to 2025, made history as the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the position. She described accepting the role of host as “an easy yes,” citing her admiration for AAFCA’s mission and leadership. “The AAFCA Awards have celebrated 17 years of extraordinary contributions to film, and I am so in awe of Gil Robertson and the team,” she said. “The mission is to celebrate storytellers who explore the many faces of humanity from different perspectives.”

Despite her prominent role in political communication, Jean-Pierre emphasized that the ceremony will remain primarily focused on artists and not on the host. “One of the things I’ve learned in the world of press communications is don’t put yourself in the news,” she said. “I want it to be light, pleasant, smooth and let the stars shine.”

Unlike many former press secretaries who focus on cable news or political commentary, Jean-Pierre has taken a different path. “I’ve always seen myself as someone who does things differently,” she explained. “I don’t follow a set path or look at the people before me and copy their trajectory – that’s just never who I am.”

She expressed her particular excitement about meeting some of the evening’s nominees. “I’ve never met Michael B. Jordan,” she said, adding that Ryan Coogler is someone she deeply admires. “Just touching him would be amazing. He’s so incredibly brilliant.”
Jean-Pierre recently published her memoirs, Independentand says her post-White House chapter will focus on telling stories outside of politics. She revealed that she has acquired the rights to the stories of Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne, the first two black women in the White House press corps. “The women asked questions of the president and were often ignored by the boys’ club,” she said. “And yet so few people know their names.”

AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said he is “thrilled” to welcome Jean-Pierre as host. “She is timely, credible and brilliant,” he said. “We love her energy and her atmosphere.”

As she prepares to take the stage, Jean-Pierre framed the moment as bigger than an awards ceremony. “We need this now,” she said. “We need an opportunity and a space to celebrate ourselves.”

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