Emmett Jordan

Emmett V. Jordan is serving his fifth term as Mayor of Greenbelt, where he has lived and worked for more than two decades. Elected to the Greenbelt City Council in 2009, he made history as the first African American to serve on the body. For 16 years, he has been a steady voice for progress, collaboration, and community values.
A resident of Greenbelt since 2000, Emmett first moved to the city’s Greenbriar neighborhood while working at the University of Maryland. He quickly embraced Greenbelt’s unique character—its walkable spaces, recreational amenities, and civic spirit—and has built his service around preserving and strengthening the city’s quality of life.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Emmett studied liberal arts and music at Morehouse College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Administration from the University of Cincinnati. He pursued graduate coursework in Public Administration at Seton Hall University and later completed leadership fellowships at the University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Municipal Government and the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. A lifelong learner, he continues to attend conferences and workshops to stay engaged with the challenges and opportunities facing Greenbelt and cities across the country.
As Mayor, Emmett has built durable partnerships with leaders at the county, state, and federal levels. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, the Maryland Municipal League, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and he is a past president of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association. These roles give Greenbelt a voice in critical regional and national discussions—on housing, transportation, sustainability, and economic growth.