WURD Radio

WURD radio celebrates live at the 51st anniversary of the Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the nation with hosts Tiffany Bacon of the Midday Braek Room and co-host Tech Life Steph of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph. Together, they speak to various vendors at Odunde to find out what they sell and why the Odunde Festival is so important to the community. The Pennsylv...

WURD radio celebrates live at the 51st anniversary of the Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the nation with hosts Tiffany Bacon of the Midday Braek Room and co-host Tech Life Steph of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph. Together, they speak to various vendors at Odunde to find out what they sell and why the Odunde Festival is so important to the community. The Pennsylv...

This episode of On The Record with Ernest Owens focuses on the host, Ernest, speaking with callers about the conclusion of Philadelphia's City Council meetings for 2026, as well as an independent forensic audit to find out where taxpayers' money is going.

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal is the first elected African American woman sheriff, in the 181-year history of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. In fact, Sheriff Bilal is the department’s first-ever elected woman. She joins the show to talk about to speak on an article written about her in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rev. Greg Holston is the Executive Director of Just Nation, a social justice and faith organization, and a prominent United Methodist pastor who has worked to combat racism and gun violence in the city. Steve Paul is the Executive Director of One Pennsylvania, a progressive grassroots organization that builds political power for Black, brown, and working-class communities. They both join the show...

As part of Black Men's Mental Health Month. An All-star panel with Dewey Thomas (Plant and People) Mozel Watson (Harlem Wine God) and Kylan Watson (Philly Tribune). Discuss redefining Expectations: Softness, Responsibility, Politics, Stress, & Me Time

Lauren Cristella is Executive Director of the Committee of Seventy. She talks to us about Ethics. From gifts, to self-dealing, to pay to play. What are some of the rules that are in place that keep people from engaging in corrupt behavior? Those rules seem to be out the window at the highest levels.

Inquirer reporter Melanie Burney joins the show. She talks to us about about the Cherry Hill School Board seeking to cut African American history and the community pushing back.

Dr. Sarah J. Jackson is an author and Associate Professor at the Annenberg School of Communications and Co-Director of the Media Inequality and Change Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She joined Dr. Peterson to discuss her new book, “A Second Sight: How the Wonder and Vision of Black Mediamakers Push America Toward Freedom”, and upcoming Free Library of Philadelphia Author Events Series e...

Ernest Crim III is an Emmy-nominated producer, public teacher and antiracist educator who uses Black historical narratives to empower and educate through a culturally equitable lens. He's a former high school history educator of 12 years and who now advocates for social justice issues and teaches Black History to the world through social media with a platform that reaches millions of people each m...

Dr. Mark Anthony Neal is a Professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University and one of the preeminent scholars in the United States studying black masculinity, misogyny, and pop culture exploring how these issues affect Black communities in America and the broader effects these cultural messages contribute to US society. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss his new book “Save A Se...

John Butler is an author and former sports journalist who turned his passion for writing into a series of children’s books known as The Chase Book series. The series is filled with adventure and features African-American characters that all children can relate to. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss the Father’s Day Read-A-Thon.

LaTonya McCurry joins the show. She is Founder of "LaTonya McCurry Counseling". June is Black mens mental health month and LaTonya talks to us about a Black Men Mental Health Check-In

Chris Norwood joined Dr. Peterson for this week's Critical Commentary to discuss Stephen A. Smith's response to Donald Trump's appearance at the New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs game 3 finals matchup at Madison Square Garden, the possible reduction of social security benefits, and the intense police presence at the Philadelphia Gay Pride parade.

Chris Johnson was a Democratic Nominee for Pennsylvania State Representative of the 200th Legislative District, currently held by Rep. Chris Rabb. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss May's primary election, the facilities plan, and progressive policy.

Maia Peele is a recent Harvard Divinity School graduate who wrote her thesis entitled “Let Her Rest: A Womanist Approach to the Afterlife Archive", which examines how Black girls enter and remain within institutional archives through histories of racial violence, premature death, and dispossession. She joined Dr. Peterson to discuss her graduation from Harvard’s Divinity School and thesis.

Jessica Byrd is a nationally recognized political strategist, civic educator, the founder of Black Camp, and someone who dedicated her career to winning elections and uplifting a new generation of transformative Black leaders. She joined Dr. Peterson to discuss Black Camp’s national tour.

Dr. Phillip Roundtree is a scholar-activist, therapist, and journalist whose research over twenty years of advocacy focuses on Black men's mental health. Dr. Roundtree is also the founder of Quadefy LLC and YouGoodMan Inc. He joined Dr. Peterson for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month to discuss the free YouGoodMan Men's Mental Health Group happening every Monday from 6 PM - 7:30 PM at Ubuntu Fine...

Matthew Koveal is the new Executive Director of the Philly Pops, where he leads a reimagined symphonic pops organization dedicated to accessibility, artistic excellence, and deep community connection. His leadership is rooted in a simple conviction that great music belongs to everyone, and the Philly Pops should reflect the full richness of the city it calls home. Matt has made efforts to make The...

Bumi Fernandez joins the show. She is CEO of Odunde and talks to us about Sunday’s 51st Anniversary of Odunde Festival

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas joins the show. He is chairman of City Council’s Education Committee. Councilman Thomas talks to us about the city budget and the lack of school funding.

Linn Washington Jr., is a Professor of Journalism at Temple, where he is a co-founder of the award-winning Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab. Linn talks to us about the attack on media, and a growing white supremacist threat.

Joe Illidge is a legend in the comic book world and specifically with Milestone, the first Black owned imprint of DC comics that introduced characters like Icon and Static Shock to the DC universe. He's a well respected and established writer, editor, producer and IP strategist whose work spans comics, publishing, film and multimedia development. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss his new book, "Bl...

Jessica Golson is the owner and operator of Kumon Learning Center - Chestnut Hill Branch. Kumon Learning Center - Chestnut Hill empowers minds and shapes futures with personalized education in their Math, Reading and English for Spanish Speakers programs. She joined Dr. Peterson for this week's Tuesday Teach-in segment to discuss their programs for children and seniors.

Priscilla Koilor is the Founder and CEO of Mobile Holistic Healing Services. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on vulnerable communities particularly in Southwest and West Philadelphia, by offering free stress management services, health education, and social determinant resource guides. She joined Dr. Peterson to discuss Mobile Holistic Healing Services’ mission and core services for c...