In Upper Darby’s 237-year history, no person of color had ever held the mayor’s office, until now. Edward Brown made history in 2024 as the township’s first Black mayor. This role is more than a title, it is a responsibility he carries with urgency, conviction, and a relentless drive to serve.
“Leadership is service,” Brown says. “You don’t lead by talking—you lead by doing.” That belief has shaped his entire career, from his early days as a school volunteer to his current role leading Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality. His journey is one of persistence, community commitment, and an unshakable work ethic.
From School Volunteer to Mayor
Edward Brown never planned to be a politician. His public service began quietly in the most personal way possible—through his children.
“I started as a home-school parent just trying to contribute to my children’s education,” he recalls. His efforts quickly grew into something larger. Raising funds, organizing programs, and working with school officials, Brown’s advocacy made an impact. That led to his appointment to the Upper Darby School Board in 2017 when he was immediately elected Vice President—an uncommon achievement for a newcomer. Soon, he became Board President, serving in that role for five years.
As School Board President, Brown earned a reputation as a leader who listened, built strong teams, and tackled issues head-on. Those qualities led his predecessor (Barbarann Keffer) to encourage him to run for Mayor. Brown ran on a platform of inclusion, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility. The people responded.
Now, as Mayor, he is determined to reshape Upper Darby into a model for community-driven progress.
Building a Stronger Upper Darby
Mayor Brown is clear about his top priorities: strengthening the township’s finances, supporting small businesses, and investing in community spaces. “I want to solve everything yesterday, but I know real change takes time,” he says. That change starts with building a strong leadership team. His first order of business was hiring experienced professionals, including Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones, to guide Upper Darby’s path forward.
One of Brown’s most ambitious goals is to create a new much-needed community center. “For a community our size not to have a center where people can gather, learn, and grow—that’s a void I intend to fill.”
He also wants to build a modern safety headquarters for police and fire services and upgrade public parks, sports courts, and playgrounds. The historic Tower Theater, once a major cultural landmark, is another goal. “Bringing back the Tower Theater is about more than entertainment; it’s about restoring a sense of pride,” Brown says.
A Vision for Economic Growth
At the heart of Brown’s leadership is a focus on economic development. He understands that small businesses are the backbone of Upper Darby, thus, he has already launched a Small Business Empowerment Center to provide entrepreneurs with resources, grants, and guidance.
“If you want to open a business in Upper Darby, we appreciate you, and we want to support you,” he emphasizes. His administration is making sure business owners have access to capital and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Economic growth, he says, is the key to thriving and self-sustaining communities.
Embracing Diversity, Building Trust
Upper Darby is one of the most diverse communities in Pennsylvania, with more than 100 languages spoken within its borders. While having this diversity is a big asset strength, it also presents challenges in creating policies that reflect all of the residents’ needs.
Mayor Brown acknowledges the national political climate has made some immigrant families uneasy, but his goal is to offer reassurance, safety, and clear pathways to success. “Some of our residents are scared. They need to know we have their best interests at heart,” Brown says.
His commitment to inclusivity goes beyond words. He sees representation in leadership as vital. “For the first time, people in Upper Darby are seeing a Mayor who looks like them, understands them, and is willing to fight for them,” he says.
Work Ethic and Personal Drive
If there is one thing Brown is known for, it is his tireless work ethic.
“No one will ever outwork me,” he states confidently. “I don’t know how to fail. Every challenge I’ve taken on, I’ve been successful because I work hard.”
That same determination has driven him throughout his life. A Drexel University alumnus, Brown holds multiple master’s degrees, including an MBA and certifications in cybersecurity and project management.
His professional career spans over two decades as a cybersecurity engineering manager at Lockheed Martin, a role he continues to balance in addition to his mayoral duties. For Brown, serving in cybersecurity is also a form of service—protecting lives through technology and national security.
Family is another core pillar of his life. He was married to his college sweetheart, Cherita, for 26 years until her untimely death in 2019. Their two adult sons are engineers, following in his footsteps, while their 16-year-old daughter is an academic and athletic standout, already eyeing a future in law. Brown beams with pride when talking about his children, crediting them as a source of inspiration and motivation in his leadership and service.
The Road Ahead
Brown is aware that his election has not come without resistance. “Some people don’t want me here—that’s okay,” he offers bluntly. Whether they like it or not, I’ll quell it with execution.”
His approach to leadership is not about engaging in battles, but about producing results. He is committed to leaving Upper Darby stronger than he found it, ensuring that when his tenure ends, the community is fiscally secure, economically thriving, and socially inclusive.
“We are more determined than ever,” he says. “ No stone will be left unturned in making Upper Darby better.”
For Mayor Edward Brown, leadership is not about prestige. It is about performing the hard work—and, armed with passion and purpose, he’s just getting started
This article is made possible with the support from the following organizations:
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
