Rep. Thomas Blackwell is the son of the late community leader and U.S. Rep. Lucien Blackwell and stepson of Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. He began working with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1332 after graduating from high school and soon rose through the ranks to hold the offices of vice-president and president.

Blackwell served six years as chairman of the Trustee Board and was elected vice-president of Local 1332 in 1989. After serving a stint as business agent, he ascended to the office of president in 1992. As president, Blackwell traveled throughout the United States and abroad negotiating contracts affecting the lives of working families throughout the world.

During his career in community and political activism, Blackwell served on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and the Ports of Philadelphia and Camden, N.J. He has also served as an administrative manager for St. Hill & Associate and as a supervisor with Community Interactions, a non-profit organization serving adults with mental health problems. He also serves as president of the Belmont Improvement Association Inc., a non-profit organization in West Philadelphia.

Blackwell has pledged to maintain a visible presence in the community and to focus on developing the community, providing recreation and other alternatives for area youth and housing development and rehabilitation. He will continue his efforts to have money confiscated from criminal activities redirected toward activities and facilities for young people, including after-school programs and to enlist college students from the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University to mentor high school students.

Blackwell serves as Majority Vice Chairman of the State Government Committee, secretary of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and is a member of the Philadelphia Delegation. His standing committee assignments are on the House Labor Relations, Liquor Control Board and Urban Affairs committees. Blackwell also is appointed to the board of directors of the Delaware River Maritime Enterprise Council, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving strategic mobility capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Blackwell is well-known in the 190th Legislative District and throughout the city. He is married to Lona Trina Watson and has two sons and two daughters. His legislative priorities include reducing crime and improving education, job opportunities, mass transit and housing in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.