Press Release: WURD RADIO’S FOUNDER’S DAY ON AUG. 18 IS A TRIBUTE TO WALTER P. LOMAX JR., M.D.

PHILADELPHIA—WURD Radio’s annual Founder’s Day is here! On August 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the station celebrates this yearly recognition of the legacy of Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., with a block party and street fair at the future headquarters of WURD Radio in Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood. This year’s Founder’s Day coincides with the station’s celebration of its 20th anniversary.

“All year we have been bringing joy and power to the people through our community events and special programming, and we wanted to lean into joy this Founder’s Day by providing a family-friendly fun experience in addition to the thought-provoking content WURD presents each August for this signature event,” said Sara Lomax, president and CEO of WURD Radio and Dr. Lomax’s youngest daughter. “Hosting Founder’s Day at the future site of WURD’s new building also celebrates my father’s legacy and his deep belief in land ownership as a pathway to wealth creation and self-determination.”

The celebration and block party will take place at 3601 Haverford Ave. in Mantua. Currently a vacant lot, the site will eventually be home to a mixed-use project developed by Lomax Real Estate Partners. The development will have affordable housing, a health clinic, a grocery store, and WURD Radio’s headquarters, which will include the station’s on-air studio and several audio and video production spaces as well as an event space shared with a bookstore and coffee shop located on the ground floor.

Founder’s Day will feature a main stage where WURD personalities will moderate conversations curated in the mold of Dr. Lomax’s legacy and the themes that defined his work – community health and wellness, economic empowerment, and business ownership.

The event will open with ceremonial libations offered by Groundings host Brother Shomari, a land acknowledgment, a performance by drumming group Music Over Matters, and a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Valerie Gay. Throughout the day, the stage will feature two panel discussions – Equitable Development moderated by Brother Shomari and Violence as a Public Health Issue moderated by Solomon Jones, host of Wake Up With WURD – as well as a special tribute to Dr. Lomax featuring his family’s reflections on his enduring legacy.

Several elected officials including District 3 Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and State Sen. Vincent Hughes will make remarks, and WURD Creative and Production Director Tiffany Bacon will present WURD’s third annual Community Impact Awards to five recipients chosen for their contributions to Philadelphia’s cultural and civic landscape. Nick Taliaferro, who recently stepped down as host of Evening WURDs, will receive a special acknowledgment for his longtime contributions to the station.

Other features of Founder’s Day include a vendor marketplace, health screenings, a gaming experience, face painting, outdoor games and more family-friendly activities. The day will wrap up with an outdoor dance party with a DJ.

“This Founder’s Day is not only a recognition of the legacy of my father — it is a tribute and a gift to a historically Black neighborhood that I am proud to call WURD’s eventual home,” said Sara Lomax. “There will truly be something for everyone and I invite all of Philadelphia to attend this special and fun event.”

Founder’s Day is sponsored by Comcast, PECO, Keystone First, Bank of America, PA Lottery, Brown’s Family ShopRite, Herr’s Snacks and Dietz and Watson.