To celebrate Black History Month, we are featuring several Philadelphia Water Employees throughout the month. We asked them to share their stories about working at PWD, what they’ve learned during their careers, what inspires them, and what Black History means to them.

Darnell Jordan

Water Conveyance Supervisor
Waterway Restoration (WRT)

15 years at PWD
Tell us a little about your PWD career journey. How did you end up in your current position?

I came to PWD from another city department in 2010. Then, after working in the Meter Shop for two years, I took a promotion with WRT as an E01. I was promoted to HE01 in 2014 and worked in that capacity for a few years, and in 2017 I made the decision to take the managerial path which led me to my current position as a Water Conveyance Supervisor.

What’s one thing that people would find interesting about your job that they might not know?

That in Waterway Restoration we work with numerous community groups and PWD units to achieve our goal of cleaner water & beautiful streams, creeks, and rivers.

What’s the best career advice that you received that you could pass on to a potential PWD employee that wants to do what you are doing?

Be willing to listen and learn from those who share their expertise with you. Additionally, investing time into learning all that you can about the position you hold can advance your career.

How are you going to celebrate Black History Month this year?

During the month of February, my family and I will visit the African American History Museum on Arch St. I also help support my kids and their school with charitable work for MLK Day/Black History Month.

Which African American, dead or alive, would you invite to your dinner party and why?

Wow, that is a loaded question for me. I’m a history guy. I believe you need to know the past to see the future. There have been so many African Americans who contributed to the history of this country, be it by way of culture, political and social change, or by other avenues. All that said, it would be difficult for me to just choose one. There is not a table big enough to hold my list. However, if given an opportunity here are just a few people on the invitation list: DJ Kool Herc, Nina Simone, Marcus Garvey, Omar Ibn Said, and Elaine Brown. I would want to know about their struggles and the sacrifices they endured and what drove them to choose their path. I challenge everyone to learn about others who have contributed to African American History. I challenge you to learn beyond the few you learned about in school.

Share an inspirational quote by an African American that motivates you?

“We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.” – Malcolm X

Finish the statement: Black History means…

Black History means CULTURE.