Phila. native named White House social secretary

Deesha Dyer, a 37-year-old Philadelphia native, has been named the new White House social secretary, Michelle Obama announced Thursday.

She replaces Jeremy Bernard, the first male social secretary, who recently announced that he would leave the post. Dyer, who was Bernard's deputy, started working at the White House in 2009 as an intern in the Office of Scheduling and Advance.

The social secretary helps to coordinate state dinners and official visits to the White House, among many duties.

"Deesha shares our commitment to a White House that reflects America's history, highlights our culture, and celebrates all Americans," President Obama said.

The first lady said Dyer "impressed me with her passion, creativity, public-mindedness, and relentless competence."

Dyer was born in Philadelphia and grew up in the city and in Hershey, Pa., where she attended the Milton Hershey School. After graduation, she attended the University of Cincinnati.

She worked as an assistant at the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust from 2001 to 2010. She also worked as a freelance journalist, writing about East Coast hip-hop culture.

At age 29, she earned an associate's degree in women's studies from Community College of Philadelphia. She has been active with youth programs, AIDS advocacy, and mentoring for young women.

In a February article about Bernard in Vogue, Dyer talked about how people at home react to her role in the White House.

"When I go home to Philly, you would think that I was the first lady," she told the magazine. "They have no idea. Some of my family have never even been to D.C."

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Phila.) said in a statement: "The compelling story of her journey to work in the White House is an inspiration, and I am beyond confident that she will fill her new role with the warmth, generosity, creativity, and intelligence she is known for."

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