Desiree Rogers Talks About Her Job As White House Social Secretary

Hat tip: This Week With Barack Obama

From NPR:

White House Social Secretary Reflects On Role
All Things Considered, January 29, 2009

At the White House Thursday, President Barack Obama held a signing ceremony for a new law aimed at halting age, race or gender discrimination in the workplace. The signing was followed by a reception hosted by the first lady.

Invited lawmakers and dignitaries munched on fruit and pastries. Somewhere in the background, a tall woman was making sure everything was just so in the state dining room — from the yellow orchids on the tables to the apricot coffee cake.

Her name is Desiree Rogers and she is the new White House social secretary, responsible for planning events from state dinners to the annual Easter egg roll.

Rogers comes to the White House armed with a Harvard MBA, a long resume in the corporate world and a keen knowledge of the first family's tastes as a longtime member of their Chicago inner circle.

"One of the things that is very important to the president and the first lady is that the art be reflective of all Americans," Rogers says. "And so one of the things that's already being looked at is the possibility of how can we diversify the art collection."

The Obamas plan to include in their White House decorations art, furniture and rugs created by every ethnicity and race, she says, in an effort to "be really reflective of America."

To listen to the entire interview, GO HERE

There's a moment, when Norris and Rogers talk about the Black White House staff...I dare you not to choke up.