Obama To Name Desiree Rogers White House Social Secretary

Prominent Chicago businesswoman Desiree Rogers will be named the White House social secretary, according to a series of news reports. The 49-year-old Harvard MBA will be the first African-American to hold the post.

From the Washington Post:

Rogers, 49, is a friend of Michelle and President-elect Barack Obama's, and a leader in Chicago corporate and civic circles; her appointment signals that the first couple consider the job crucial to how they introduce themselves to the country and the globe. She was a major fundraiser for Obama.

"This appointment sends a strong message that the Obamas want to use the White House strategically, to maximize its use in a way that is consistent with their philosophy -- [to] open it to a broader range of people, " said Valerie Jarrett, an Obama intimate and friend of Rogers's who also will work in the White House. "Desirée is a heavy hitter -- she comes with her own range of contacts from around the country. She's close to Michelle and she knows everyone who will be working in the West Wing, so she will be able to create a synergy."

Rogers will join the White House from Allstate Financial, where she was creating a social network of clients and consumers. She was previously the president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

From the Chicago Tribune:

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.

Rogers was briefed on the job last week by a former Clinton White House social secretary, the Washington Post reports.

Comments

[fedup1]

While in a heated conversation with (john doe) over news commentators referencing to president Obama's  being our first Black president, john doe's regretable up bringing snuck out and showed it's ugly self., I'll not go into the details. However it does tend to be an intrigueing position commentators have put themselves in,  when in the past there are NO references to the significance of our presidents being white immediately after an election.  I'll not speak for any one else yet for myself I will say this:  I cast my vote for a Person who I hope is by all intensive purposes the best for the JOB!!!!!!    Am I black , brown, yellow, green, white,purple, or gray., what"s it really matter I hope for all our sakes it matters NOT!!!!!!!

[ChicagoSpook]

Well, like the rest of you, I guess I'm happy too! :-)
like Voltaire‘s Candid said, “It could always be worse”.

President Obama could have given Ms. Rogers an actual real Policy Position.

I guess it could be argued that Ms. Rogers did an outstanding job with raising the profile of Chicago’s gilded Black elite while the bottom dropped out for Black poor folks assisted by the republican corporate business that she served so well as the brown face for, (including the “public” lottery), insurance companies (ironic giving that she is from New Orleans) and of course “People’s” Energy who continues to rake in record profits will Illinois continues with a record number of shut offs.

But I’m sure her leadership on behalf of all Illinois utilities in bottling/killing legislation that would have implemented a percentage of income plan for the poorest utility users in Illinois will be missed.
Needless to say, poor Black folks nationally will not be so luck with Valerie Jarrett who will have a real policy position

[donbrown]

??? Sounds like just the beginning in a split in the black community between the classes that has been submerged until now.

Is there negative feeling about Valerie Jerrett and Desiree Rodgers in Chicago? I've heard only wonderful things.

If so, is the negative feeling legitimate, or is it tinged with envy?

[ChicagoSpook]

don browm
Guess you could find out easy enough? I mean People's Gas, Allstate Financial, the Illinois Lottery the Chicago Housing Authority, you could actually check into what the policies of these public and private institutions have been toward poor African Americans under those two. But why bother? Lets sweep it under the rug like we always do. Lets just talk about how pretty they are, and how they went to the best schools, or how they like most people of corporate influence, attended all the right charity balls and donated to all the "major" causes. Of course I'm a fascinated at how you missed the class issues? Of course you are not the only one. That is certainly clear from reading these comments.

Salute

[robXdion]

"Submerged"? "Beginning"? Catch up, man.

[nolalily]

Ms. Rogers was born and raised in New Orleans making her the consummate party planner. Should be fun in the White House.

[elthelight]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For those of you who immediately want to suspect that this woman would cause problems between Michelle and Barak Obama, you are negative souls that are incapable of seeing the good in anything. You need serious deprograming from your warped thinking. The reason these people are successful is because they have remain focused on agendas greater than fulfilling a temporary pleasure. Do something significant with your own life--begin by clearing your minds of "stinkin' thinkin".

[mergina]

Love your hairdo.

[klondiker]

Okay, WOW, she is quite stunning! (But, in my defense, I also think that Tim Geithner is cute).

[SPQR1052]

I find myself agreeing with you on both points. A very well balanced designated administration in the making, off to an excellent start - lots of "eye candy!"

[leftoflennon]

He is HOT!

And he swears alot...eve­n sweeter!

[eden4barack08]

If you like big noses, I guess. :0)

[snugglepuss]

Um, the WP author forgot to mention that John Rogers is the founder and CEO of Ariel Investments - a very successful investment management firm with $7.5 billion in assets under management. He's not just the Princeton basketball team mate of Michelle Obama's brother.

His mother was Jewel LaFontant - after graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1946, LaFontant parlayed her degree into a distinguished career. She served in Republican administrations. During President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration, she was the first African American woman to serve as assistant U.S. attorney. Following that post, she was hand picked by President Richard Nixon for installation into his cabinet as the first African American deputy solicitor general. A mulitpurposed post in President George Bush's cabinet followed as she assumed the roles of U.S. ambassador-at-large and U.S. coordinator for refugee affairs, the position she cherished more than any other. She also served as the vice chairperson of the U.S. Advisory Commission on International, Educational and Cultural Affairs. During her career, has served on more than twenty corporate boards.

His father was a well known judge.

Both Desirée Rogers and John Rogers are very active in corporate and civic life in Chicago. Both have impeccable academic and professional credentials. And, both are extremely nice people with many friends and admirers.

I am not lucky enough to be a friend, but I do admire both of these outstanding people.

[donbrown]

Thanks for the education! That's what these blogs are great for...

[donbrown]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I say it is really refreshing to see smart, distinguished people of color chosen for their unique abilities and not just as "tokens".

I have nothing personal against Condoleezza Rice or General Powell. I'm sure they are fine people, but I always felt they were "symbolic" choices.

It didn't help when Powell was summarily tossed out of THE CLUB after they'd used him to sell the war in Iraq.

I don't have the same feeling about appointees like Jerrett, Holder, or Rogers.

[4wehttam]

Don't forget Melody Barnes....­I am soooo happy she was chosen.

[donbrown]

Absolutely­...though I'm not as familiar with her.

[ghostgirl]

Your assertion that Powell and Rice were only quota, token hires is way off base and racist to boot? And how dare you even allege such a thing on a thread about a glorified party planner (Rogers). Powell and Rice are both smart, distinguished people of color that were more than qualified for their jobs. Rice worked on the NSC when Bush I was in office. She has a PHD, was provost at Stanford, and a fellow at the Hoover Instistution. Powell was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and a decorated general. Both had resumes lengthier and more distinguished before becoming cabinet members than Obama had before being elected President. So, before you start crying affirmative action in the Bush cabinet, you need to a good look at how "symbolic" our President elect is.

[RachelMc]

Are u trying to say Obama was only elect because of the symbolism? ROFLMFAO if so... damn and wuts with the degrading of Rogers? A party planner huh? Is that so??? I never knew Harvard offered a degree in Party Planning thanks for that info...

[exPatPatti]

I didn't interpret his post that negatively. I took it to mean considering the ambivalence Bush shows towards people of color in general, his appointments of a couple of AAs to his cabinet seemed rather disingenuous at best. And maybe an attempt to make himself seem less bigoted. There is no question both Rice and Powell are highly qualified for their appointments.

And yes I am Black.

[anghiari]

He was always going to be "tossed" as you say, out of the club. When the Republican elite found that the Republican base would actually vote for Colin Powell as a Republican presidential candidate.­..his fate was sealed. That type of popularity would/could have done old Georgie Bush, Jr. out a job in 2004. The old adage to pull your enemies close was at work when Powell was offered Secretary of State. It was the job of Cheney and Rumsfeld to try and dismantle Powell's incredible popularity amongst both Democrats and Republican­s...They finally got George Bush, Jr. on their side when he saw Powell speak at the press conference where Bush introduced him as the next Secretary of State. He was smart, charismatic and he looked Presidential. That was when Bush came on board with Cheney and Rumsfeld to drive Powell's work at SOS into a ditch...th­ey succeeded.

[Thevail]

Excellent choice...t­his one is one of those women who is a mover and a shaker in her own right, and manages to make it all look easy. A PERFECT fit for this job.

Thank you , Ms. Rodgers, I'm sure that all those terrible state dinners will be much better for your spirit of public service in taking this job!

[anghiari]

Don't forget Ms. Rogers have been a mover and shaker in business and in the social world, not in politics..­.she has already stumbled. In her interview, she immediately starts to talk about decorating the trees at the White House....L­ady, with an economic down turn we're facing no talk about decorating trees, which cost a fortune...­.just some lessons those who do not know the politics of politics will have to learn....a­n MBA doesn't bring with it...polit­ical savvy....o­nly experience!

[Territc]

Well done BO. He needs to surround himself with people whom he can trust since there are so many of you out there sharpening your knives to stab him in the back.

Do you thing BO!

[luke150]

I don't get the people that complain and complain, the blogs are full of complains. Why Obama picks Clinton people, why from Chicago, why Black, why men, why rich?.... Maybe these are the people he knows, or maybe these are the competent people that have the skills and ambition to work for the new administration. I guess if you are left to pick, you will choose total strangers, preferably women, people with zero relevant knowledge in economics, politics, administration, PR etc.

[postman606]

Worked for Desiree some years ago, very sharp, media savvy lady.

[rhdsma]

A friend of mine hung some wallpaper for her a few years back, and it took him three months to get paid $250. Obviously, these thoings are kept secret, but this is one woman, no matter how well educated, got positions because of who she and her ex knew. While I support Obama, I wasn't happy at this pick, on account of my friend having to go begging for his paycheck.

[donks]

Man I can't pick Mrs.Obama AND Ms.Rogers ,beggars can't be choosers!

[pupbayer]

If the appointees aren't from the Clinton White House, they're from Chicago. Surprise.

[L3ftofC3nter]

Don't be a hater.....

[Fongenie]

Why not from Chicago?

[StillIRise]

Did you complain when Bush brought in his friends from Texas, the politically corrupt home of the rich and famous, a country unto itself???

As residents of Chicago, it's not unusual that the Obamas would bring in people they know and trust for this kind of position. She and Michelle will be working very closely together, and I'm sure Michelle wants someone she feels comfortable with.

You need to expand your mind. Your posts are very telling.

[postman606]

Your naivete is showing.

[cdbk]

Thats right,they should hire people they don't know,especially one that is going to be throwing parties for them,makes perfect sense.

[Twinkie]

Nice move Barack