Karine Jeanne-Pierre





5-20-2025



On a vibrant afternoon in Harlem, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary and author, hosted a book signing at Sisters Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center. The event celebrated her memoir, Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America, which chronicles her journey from a Haitian-American upbringing in Queens to the corridors of the Obama White House.





Photography by Keith Hasvision Rogers



Sisters Uptown Bookstore, founded in 2000 by Janifer P. Wilson, stands as Harlem's last Black-owned bookstore. Beyond selling books, it serves as a cultural hub, nurturing minds and souls with works by African American authors and hosting community events. Wilson's vision was to create a sanctuary for learning and cultural exchange, a mission that has sustained the bookstore for over two decades. During the signing, Jean-Pierre engaged with attendees, sharing insights from her book and emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. Her memoir serves not only as a personal narrative but also as a call to action, encouraging readers to participate actively in democracy, regardless of their background. The collaboration between Jean-Pierre and Sisters Uptown Bookstore highlighted the power of community spaces in fostering dialogue and empowerment. As Jean-Pierre continues to inspire through her work, events like this underscore the significance of accessible platforms for sharing stories that resonate and motivate collective progress.






Karine Jeanne-Pierre and Sisters Uptown BookStore Owner Janifer P. Wilson







Senior Google Sales Engineer and Haitian American Bruno Surpris holding Karine Jeanne-Pierre New Book Moving Forward