Celebrating environmental justice and activism: EcoWURD presents EcoFest on Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Belmont Mansion

PHILADELPHIA — On Saturday, April 20, WURD Radio and ecoWURD present ecoFEST, an annual celebration of activism and journalism squarely focused on the impact of environmental justice on Black communities in Philadelphia and the nation. 

P.O.C., host of the weekly show ecoWURD Magazine on WURD Radio every Friday at 10 a.m., serves as emcee, facilitator of conversations, and convener of workshops that will offer attendees a chance to learn about and practice recycling, planting, yoga and caring for the environment, in keeping with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s vision of a safer, cleaner and greener Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia’s Black communities face complex challenges, like inequities in income, wealth and education, in addition to the ongoing gun violence problem,” P.O.C. said. “ecoWURD and ecoFEST ask residents of this city to consider how connecting with the environment can heal communities and achieve the vision of a safer, cleaner and greener city.”

ecoFEST will be held at Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive in Fairmount Park from 1 to 5 p.m. in a beautiful green space overlooking Philadelphia’s skyline. This event will also be broadcast live on all WURD Radio platforms, hosted by Andrea Lawful-Sanders of The Source. 

Confirmed panelists and workshops include:

• Maurice Sampson, grassroots organizer and Eastern Pennsylvania Director of Clean Water Action
• Victoria St. Martin, health and environment reporter for Inside Climate News
• Tommy Joshua, founder and executive director of North Philly Peace Park
• Dr. Paul Hopkins, host of WURD Radio’s Dr. Paul’s Holistic Health
• A live performance by artist Nikki Powerhouse
• Workshops from Black and Planted, Soulham Yoga and Black Farmers Outreach

Attendees will sign up for workshops on-site; people interested in participating in community yoga are encouraged to bring yoga mats. 

ecoWURD is a multimedia environmental justice journalism initiative examining Black communities at the intersection of race, health, income & the environment. Reporting and conversations on ecoWURD explore the most pressing issues facing Black people locally, nationally and globally, illustrating the connection between environmental racism, climate change, economic opportunities and our communities.  

“WURD launched ecoWURD in 2018 as the first environmental justice journalism initiative at a Black-owned media company focusing on the unique environmental impacts and needs of Black communities,” said WURD Radio President and CEO Sara M. Lomax. “ecoFEST is our way of bringing these conversations to life and showing how small, consistent actions that honor Mother Earth can make a big difference.”

ecoFEST is brought to you by Comcast, Pennsylvania Lottery, Keystone First, PECO, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Recycling Office and University City Science Center with support from the Independence Public Media Foundation.  

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WURD Radio is the only Black-owned and operated talk radio station in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, over the past two decades WURD has evolved into a multi-media, multi-platform communications company that reaches deeply into the Black community through radio, video, events, digital and social media. It is considered the go-to media channel to engage, interact and connect with Philadelphia’s Black community. Tune in to WURD Radio on 900AM and 96.1FM in Philadelphia, at wurdradio.com and on the WURD Radio app. Watch WURD TV via Facebook, Twitch and wurdradio.com. Follow WURD on Instagram and X @onwurd and at facebook.com/forwurd.