Upper Darby’s first Black mayor, Ed Brown, was sworn in on Jan. 2 during the township’s annual reorganization meeting. He becomes the first Black mayor of Pennsylvania’s eighth-largest municipality.

Brown follows former Democratic Mayor Barbarann Keffer who opted not to run for re-election. 

Brown, a Democrat, defeated Republican Brian Burke, the sitting president of the township council, in the General Election race for Upper Darby mayor in November.

“We have a lot of diversity in our township. So for me to be the first African American to be elected mayor by the constituents — by the community, I consider that a huge honor, and that’s one that I take very seriously and will hold very near dear to my heart,” Brown told WHYY News in a Nov. 8 article by Kenny Cooper following the election.

Brown, a cybersecurity engineer, had served as president of the Upper Darby School District Board of Directors.

Brown received a unanimous endorsement from the Upper Darby Democratic Committee.

His focus will be on improving municipal services, boosting the business sector, and supporting affordable housing. He unveiled a four-year plan to increase the township’s fiscal responsibility and a five-point plan that addresses safety, resources, housing, and economic growth.

See what plans Mayor Ed Brown has for Upper Darby at WHYY.