It turns out Joe “You ain’t black” Biden isn’t treating his black staffers well.
Shocker.
Black staffers are fleeing the Biden White House because they believe there is virtually no chance for promotion.
“We’re here and we’re doing a lot of work but we’re not decision-makers and there’s no real path towards becoming decision-makers,” one current Black White House official told Politico reporter Daniel Lippman. “There is no real feedback and there’s no clear path to any kind of promotions.”
Some black aides have dubbed the exodus “Blaxit.”
Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s black, lesbian immigrant White House spox pushed back on the “Blaxit” claims.
“The president is incredibly proud to have built what continues to be the most diverse White House staff in history, and he is committed to continuing historic representation for Black staff and all communities,” said Karine Jean-Pierre. “This is a normal time for turnover across the board in any administration and Black staff have been promoted at a higher rate than staff who are not diverse.”
Politico reported:
At least 21 Black staffers have left the White House since late last year or are planning to leave soon. Some of those who remain say it’s no wonder why: They describe a work environment with little support from their superiors and fewer chances for promotion.
The departures have been so pronounced that, according to one current and one former White House official, some Black aides have adopted a term for them: “Blaxit.”
The first big exit came in December, when Kamala Harris’ senior adviser and chief spokesperson Symone Sanders announced she was leaving, ultimately for a gig at MSNBC. Since then, Harris senior aides Tina Flournoy, Ashley Etienne and Vincent Evans, and public engagement head Cedric Richmond have left.
Public engagement aide Carissa Smith, gender policy aide Kalisha Dessources Figures, National Security Council senior director Linda Etim, digital engagement director Cameron Trimble, associate counsel Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo, chief of staff Ron Klain advisers Elizabeth Wilkins and Niyat Mulugheta, press assistant Natalie Austin, National Economic Council aides Joelle Gamble and Connor Maxwell, and presidential personnel aides Danielle Okai, Reggie Greer and Rayshawn Dyson have all departed too. Deputy White House counsel Danielle Conley and Council of Economic Advisers aide Saharra Griffin are among others planning to leave in the coming weeks, according to White House officials.
Read the fully story at Politico here.
SCOOP: At least 21 Black staffers have left the White House since late last year or are planning to leave soon, with some calling it “Blaxit.” Staffers who remain describe a work culture with little support from superiors and fewer chances for promotion. https://t.co/2sibnFwlr4
— Daniel Lippman (@dlippman) May 31, 2022