Media Alert

NEW YORK, May 1, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- The Wall Street Journal today unveiled the summer installment of its glossy magazine, WSJ., centering on American style and changing lifestyle landscapes. The cover story -- "Brand Obama" -- features an exclusive, candid interview with White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, including photographs of Ms. Rogers exclusively for WSJ. by Marc Hom.

A photo accompanying this release is available at HERE. "Desiree Rogers is at the center of one of the most closely watched presidencies of our time, and we were able to capture intriguing insight into the challenges and opportunities for what may lie ahead over the next four years with Brand Obama," said Tina Gaudoin, editor-in-chief of WSJ.

With a global circulation of 960,000, WSJ. will appear on Saturday, May 2, in the U.S. Weekend Edition of the Journal and on Friday, May 8, in the The Wall Street Journal Europe and The Wall Street Journal Asia. All content from WSJ. magazine, including additional video and interactive elements, is available for free at http://wsj.com/magazine.

Here is the article.
It should be on the newsstands tomorrow, in case you want a hard copy.

White House Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers, on CNN

Desiree Rogers

I also am tickled pink that the White House Social Secretary has an MBA from Harvard, thus shutting anyone up about having a BLACK White House Social Secretary.

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.

Desiree Rogers Named First Black Social Secretary of the White House

From the Chicago Tribune:

Obamas taking Rogers to D.C.
Chicagoan will direct social events at White House
By John McCormick Tribune reporter
November 24, 2008


Chicago businesswoman Desiree Rogers will be named to the position of White House social secretary, a source in President-elect Barack Obama's transition office said Sunday.

Rogers, 49, is a close friend of the Obama family and worked on the fundraising team for the campaign. She has been a fixture on Chicago's social and not-for-profit scene for years.

Last summer, she left her job as president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas to create a financial social networking program at Allstate Insurance Co.

She would be the first African-American to serve in a position that is responsible for working with the first lady on White House functions and ceremonies.

Rogers, who studied at Wellesley College and later earned an MBA from Harvard, was once married to Chicagoan John Rogers, Ariel Capital Management chief and another close Obama friend and fundraiser.

Her first highly visible post was in state government. She managed the lottery for then-Gov. Jim Edgar in the '90s, appearing on TV giving away pots of money.

On Nov. 14, Rogers hosted a birthday party in her Gold Coast condominium that was attended by the Obamas in honor of Valerie Jarrett, another Obama friend who will be going to the White House as a senior adviser.

"Rogers is bright, creative, and has an extraordinary flair for style," Jarrett said. "Her professional track record and her close relationship with the Obamas uniquely qualifies her to create an Obama White House that will foster inclusiveness, vibrancy and energy that will make the White House feel open and welcoming to all."

mccormickj@tribune.com

I have to admit, this does make me go tee hee hee.

The First Black First Lady has a Black Social Secretary.