The Week on WURD

Leah Litman , author and law professor at the University of Michigan, joined Dr. James Peterson on  Evening WURDs  to discuss the Supreme Court’s increasingly conservative leanings and her view that the political system selectively protects certain groups. Meg Berlin , organizer of the “No Kings Coalition” march, spoke with  Wake Up With WURD  about the demonstration’s anti-Trump focus and its pus...

Carl Singley , retired dean of Temple University Law School and founder of one of Philadelphia’s largest Black law firms, joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss how former President Donald Trump is undermining the foundations of American democracy through a sweeping series of executive orders. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel appeared on Wake Up With WURD with Solomon J...

Congresswoman  Lauren Underwood  of Illinois joins Solomon Jones on  Wake Up With WURD  to break down the House Republican budget proposal—and why she says it prioritizes tax breaks for the rich over essential programs like healthcare and nutrition. PA State Rep.  Rick Krajewski  sits down with Amadee Braxton on  Solutions  to discuss federal efforts to block states from creating AI regulations—an...

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson is a Vanderbilt University professor and author. Dr. Dyson joined Evening WURDs to discuss the "State of the People" power tour, reflect on the 5th year anniversary of George Floyd's murder and provide commentary on the current state of Black affairs in the country. George Fatheree is the founder of the Black Land Loss Narrative Archive Project. A nonprofit initiative dedica...

Dr. Jelani Cobb , author, political commentator, and dean of the Columbia Journalism School, joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs. They discussed the arrest and detention of Newark, N.J. Mayor Ras Baraka and the cultural impact of the new movie "Sinners." Dr. Abike James  is an OBGYN at Penn Medicine. Dr. James spoke with Karen Taylor Bass on Soulful Sunrise about how trauma can im...

Councilwoman  Quetcy Lozada  spoke on Wake Up With WURD to expand on her impassioned speech advocating for a bill affecting her Kensington district. On Thursday, City Council passed 13-3 legislation that Lozada said will bring structure to rehabilitated/addicted individuals in hubs and away from residential neighborhoods, children and senior residents. Dr. Timnit Gebru  is an Ethiopian-born comput...

Journalist Richard Kreitner joined Evening WURDs to discuss his new book "Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery." The book explores the complex roles American Jews played in the Civil War, from Jewish abolitionists to Confederate supporters, and how this legacy shapes Black-Jewish relations today. Michael Steele , former chair of the Republican Natio...

Sean Vereen  is the president and CEO of Heights Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to giving low-income communities resources they need for economic mobility. Vereen spoke with Tonya Pendleton on Reality Check and gave his expertise on why Philadelphia’s economy is stagnant and how the organization leads young people to create opportunities for themselves. National security expert  Malcolm N...

Dr. Meredith D. Clark is an associate professor at Northeastern University and the founder of the Center for Communication, Media Innovation and Social Change. Dr. Clark spoke with Tonya Pendleton on Reality Check on the importance of intimate Black social spaces through Twitter and what changed after Elon Musk’s leadership. Dr. Marlene Daut is a Yale University professor and recent author of "The...

Kevin Shird is a  three-time published author, activist and lecturer. He joined Evening WURDs with Dr. James Peterson to discuss his latest book, "A Life for a Life: Poor Choices and Unresolved Trauma Is Killing America." Mazzie Casher  is the co-founder and executive director of the Philly Truce Foundation. He spoke with Reality Check host Tonya Pendleton about the initiative for Philly...

Aimee Inama is PennDOT’s press officer for driver and vehicle services. Inama joined Tonya Pendleton on Reality Check to remind listeners of the upcoming travel deadline to file for Real ID and the quick process to obtain yours before May 7, 2025. Walter M. Kimbrough is the president of Talladega College and author of a recent op-ed article on the hazing death of Omega Psi Phi pledge Caleb Wilson....

The Week on WURD: Mary Gay Scanlon; Maurice Mitchell; Jared Bass showcases U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, National Director for the Working Families Party (WFP), Maurice Mitchell and Jared C. Bass who is the senior vice president for education policy at Center for American Progress. Details: U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon spoke with Solomon Jones on Wake Up With WURD about The Atlantic...