For most people working in retail, commuting to work is a straightforward task. But for Darrell Black, Assistant Manager at Johnston and Murphy at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, it gets more complicated. For him, getting to work means driving to the airport, taking a shuttle to the main terminal, and then going through TSA security screening to reach his office in the airport’s central hub.

“At least at Cleveland Hopkins airport, getting through security is quite easy, especially if you have a badge.” Going through security isn’t the only inconvenience that goes with working in an airport, however. Early mornings and long hours are the part that is difficult according to Black. “The hours are dreadful,” he said. “[Johnston and Murphy] opens at 5 a.m. , so for me, I’m up by like three just to get ready and then I’m out the door,” explained Black.

Interacting with customers from across the world, for better or for worse, is a perk in Black’s eyes. “The things you see and the stores you hear are definiteley interesting,” he noted. Black explained a time when a customer came into the clothing store with a lack of clothes on his body. “The craziest interaction I had is when a man came into the store with only his underwear on and a shirt,” explained Black. Gladly, he served that customer.

Outside of retail, Black is a part time voice actor. He attended the Ohio Media School where he picked up the skill and has taken side gigs for years. In high school, his friends would all gather to work on certain voice acting projects together and his love for the art started then. “All of a sudden I was doing voiceovers for certain projects, and having a lot of fun doing it,” he said excitingly.

Despite the hurdles of working in the airport, Black presents customers with a joyful energy and passion for his job. Whether he’s assisting customers at Johnston and Murphy, or lending his voice to new projects, he brings creative interests and passion to his work every day.