WURD Radio

Bernard Collins Jr. is a visual artist, muralist, and spoken word artist with a BFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and an MFA from University of Pennsylvania. He is the artist behind the The Black Dance Legacy Mural

Melanie Burney of the Philadelphia Inquirer joins the show. She talks to us about Camden’s plan to merge magnet schools with the district's traditional high school.

Sharif El Mekki of The Center for Black Educator Development joins the show. He speaks to us about the pending school closures, and how they could affect Black teachers and students.

As Donald Trump turns government agencies loose on his enemies, Temple professor Linn Washington joins us to talk about the attacks on Jimmy Kimmel, James Comey, and free speech.

Mikki Abraham (They/Them) is a Broadway actor and self-esteem coach. They are a part of a musical comedy called "Shucked." SHUCKED is a Tony Award®–winning musical comedy. The musical surrounds characters, Maizy and Beau, who are getting hitched, when the corn that protects their small community starts to die. The town needs answers. Beyond the stage, Mikki is the owner of Castle In The Sky Self-E...

Sofia Carreno and Helena Pittman | Penn Medicine Nurses Community Week Sofia Carreno is an experienced public health nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where she connects clinical staff with community- based programs that address health- related social needs. Helena Pittman is a nurse leader with over 20 years' experience at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), currently...

Taj Paxton is an acclaimed documentary producer with a distinguished career that has earned her five Emmy Awards. She is renowned for creating compelling films that explore complex cultural issues and highlight inspiring LGBTQ heroes. She is the director and executive producer of “WNBA 2024: The Year That Changed Everything,” a documentary that boldly transports viewers to a period when women’s ba...

Lynbea Toombs is a Leadership Development expert and PR-trained strategist who made national senior leadership by 29, and now leads BeaBold Branding & Communications Collective, an organization that helps entrepreneurs scale, brand, and properly advertise their business. Lynbea’s work focuses on helping women stop separating who they are from what they do, and instead build careers and brands that...

Laura Dunn is a Highway Safety Specialist for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Laura is an accomplished state and federal program manager with extensive work in program development, management, and implementation, with over 15 years of experience. Laura joins the show to further discuss ways people can prevent heat stroke during the summertime, especially as it pertains...

Janet Flaugher is the author of the book, “Two Bottles of Water”. This book chronicles the 1.5 years she and her husband spent living in Beijing after she accepted a position as superintendent of an international school in 2002. She explores not only culture shock and language barriers, but also what education looks like through a global lens. With honesty and humor, she reflects on what American...

Meeka Johnson joins the show. She is a Fashion Designer, Creator of Candle Con & Meeka Johnson Live She talks to us today about the Hustle, Success & Joy of Entrepreneurship

Karen Smith joins the show. She is a Percussionist, Playwright, Director, Producer, and Poet. Karen talks to us about celebrating music and the healing powers of drums.

Marianne Fray is the President and CEO of Maternity Care Coalition. The Maternity Care is hosting this year's Mother's Day Brunch next Saturday, May 9th at the Loews Hotel in Center City. This year's annual fundraising event brings together friends, donors, and sponsors to honor leaders in the maternal and child health field, and raise vital funds for the Maternity Care Coalition. WURD Radio's Pre...

Della Clark is the president of The Enterprise Center. As a trusted mediator, The Enterprise Center brings together businesses, communities, partners and resource providers with the shared goal of equal opportunity and prosperity for all. She joined Dr. Peterson for this month's Ready, Set, Grow segment to help prepare small business owners and entrepreneurs for the influx of tourists coming to Ph...

Councilman Isaiah Thomas is serving his second term on City Council, was voted Majority Whip by his colleagues, and proudly serves in council leadership. Councilman Thomas is also the Chair of the Education Committee of Philadelphia. He joined Dr. Peterson to share an update of the Philadelphia school district's facilities plan.

Saturdays with City Council | Penn Relays 2026 by WURD Radio

The Michael Jackson biopic has shattered records internationally with a $218 million haul, despite some shaky reviews. Film critic Tim Gordon joins the show to talk about why.

Glenn D. Bryan joins the show. He is the Assistant VP for the Office of Government and Community Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania. Tia Jackson Truitt is the Senior Associate Director for Penn Athletics and the Museum. The talk to us about the annual Penn Relays taking place in Philadelphia.

Kristal Sotomayor is the Director and Producer of “Expanding Sanctuary", a powerful award-winning short documentary about immigrant justice, community care and collective resistance. “Expanding Sanctuary” follows an immigrant mother in South Philadelphia as she organizes to protect her neighborhood from detention, deportation and displacement; and confronts the systems of surveillance and criminal...

Da'Shaun Harrison is the Executive Director of Scalawag Magazine, whose mission through journalism and storytelling is to work in solidarity with oppressed communities in the South to disrupt and shift the narratives that keep power and wealth in the hands of the few. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss Scalawag Magazine’s CENSORED fundraising campaign after a funder pulled a grant because of their...

Emily Gee is the Senior Vice President for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress, where she oversees economic policy, health policy and the Women’s Initiative. She guides the department’s research, policy development and advocacy to support equitable economic growth and improve health and well-being. She joined Dr. Peterson for this week's Center for American Progress segment to disc...

Damon McWhite is a Philadelphia based tech equity advocate and Director of 1-Philadelphia. In this role at 1-Philadelphia, Damon works at the intersection of education, workforce development and civic innovation — connecting funders, employers, schools and community organizations to build a tech ecosystem advancing Philadelphia’s position as a global hub for tech innovation. He joined Dr. Peterson...

Taibi Magar is the director of the play, Wilderness Generation, presented by The Philadelphia Theatre Company. This is a new play by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright James Ijames, which opened on April 15th. The play brings four cousins together over a single weekend to decide the future of their family home, exploring themes of generational wealth, homeownership, family legacy, and healing inter...

Dr. Iquail Shaheed is the CEO and Artistic Director of “Dance Iquail”, a Philadelphia-based organization that disrupts the narrative that performing arts are inaccessible to marginalized communities. By empowering Black and brown artists to reclaim their narratives, Dance Iquail addresses systemic racism and homophobia, creating safe spaces for creativity and self-expression. Dance Iquail is launc...

Ben Tinsley is a French teacher based in Colombia, South America. A teacher of almost 2 decades and a lifelong student, Ben has dedicated his professional and personal life to the pursuit of substantive diversity, equity, and belonging in education. In the classroom, he has had the opportunity to work with teachers and schools around the world to develop curricula that center Black Indigenous Comm...