This week on WURD: Prominent discussions on race, education and law with Ava DuVernay, Tony Watlington and Pedro Rosario

Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to discuss her new highly acclaimed film, “Origin.” Jones and DuVernay’s conversation detailed the behind-the-scenes process of putting the film together and her experience of getting the project green-lit in Hollywood.

Keith Boykin, author and political commentator, and The Brothers’ Network founder Gregory Walker joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss Boykin’s newest book, “Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race?” and the drift of Black voters toward the candidacy of Donald Trump.

Pedro Rosario, Philadelphia deputy police commissioner, joined Wake Up With WURD to share his vision for cleaning up Kensington and spoke about the fatal shooting of Alexander Spencer during an altercation with police at a corner store in the Fairhill neighborhood.

Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, joined Tonya Pendleton on Reality Check to share his personal experiences with mentorship, the barriers that Black boys and men have in finding mentorship, and the organization’s efforts to engage volunteers from diverse backgrounds. 

Philadelphia School District Superintendent Tony Watlington and school board president Reginald Streater joined Wake Up With WURD to discuss disparities in education funding, concerns about infrastructure and asbestos removal, and initiatives to cultivate a diverse pipeline of Black and Latino educators.

Nonprofit executives Justina Barrett and Crishana Manigan joined Andrea Lawful-Sanders on The Source to discuss “Public Art in Philadelphia: A Legacy Shaped by Women,” an exhibition that highlights the historical accomplishments of women who have worked in the public art sector.