On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the Collingdale Borough Council swore in a new Borough Manager.
Incorporated in 1891, the Borough of Collingdale, Delaware County, now has its first African-American Borough Manager.
Pat Edouard, who identifies as a proud Caribbean-American, is the first Black person to hold the position in the 131 years of the Borough’s existence. Although Keisha Williams was an African-American woman who held the position of Assistant Borough Manager for an interim period, no person of color has held this post until Edouard.
Family Origins
The Edouard family immigrated to the United States from Haiti; but he identifies as a descendent of Indigenous and Haitian American culture. His mother is Haitian, and his father is Haitian and Cuban. Immigrating to the United States, his father, aunt and paternal grandmother—the family has been here since the early 60s. His maternal grandfather was an aristocrat and a doctor. His paternal grandfather was big into politics, humanitarian, and a farmer. His father seems to find it ironic that he ended up in politics. One of 8 siblings (Stanley, Namath, Ruth, Josiane, Jessica, Acanthe, and Julian), Edouard is no stranger to hard work and dedication. His great aunt Genie worked her way up from cleaning rooms to management in a upscale New York City hotel, and his uncle Gerald, was the first black accountant at the Marriott Hotel in the DMV area. His father having quit school at the tender age of 13, became a mechanic and a carpenter. The former was his career for 43 years. His dad is currently a Crossing Guard, because he really likes children and giving back. His dad also managed to bring all his siblings and some cousins over from Haiti.
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