WURD Radio Honors Founder and Community Leaders at 2025 Gala

WURD Radio marked its annual Founder’s Day Gala on Friday, Oct. 3, gathering supporters at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center to celebrate the station’s legacy, honor its founder, and recognize community impact across Philadelphia. The evening served as a tribute to the life and vision of WURD founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., whose dedication established the state’s only Black-owned talk radio station.

The event spotlighted the contributions of the 2025 Community Impact Award recipients. This year’s honorees were: Loree D. Jones Brown of Philabundance; WURD’s own Solomon Jones; Derrick H. Pitts of the Franklin Institute; and trailblazing talent manager Dolores Robinson. Each recipient was celebrated for their extraordinary work and dedication to advancing our community.

A major focus of the program was the unveiling of “Freedom Journeys: Celebrating the Lives of 250 Phenomenal Philadelphians,” a new, year-long storytelling initiative. The project is designed to honor the profound impact of 250 iconic leaders throughout the city’s history, preserving and promoting their stories for future generations.

Attendees were also treated to a dynamic program lineup. Highlights included “The Philadelphia Lawyer: Defenders of Democracy” panel, which featured a discussion with Michael Coard, Keir Bradford-Grey, and Dr. Dorothy Roberts and remarks from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. The night also featured live entertainment, with a dance set by DJ Reezey and a moving performance of “I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone” by Carol Riddick and Gerald Veasley. 

WURD’s 2025 Founder’s Day Gala drew community leaders, key partners, and station supporters for a celebration of impact and culture. The event’s success was made possible by a wide array of sponsors committed to WURD’s mission, including the Pennsylvania Lottery, Verde Capital, Ballard Spahr LLP, Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, Keystone First, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Community Wellness Initiative, Jefferson, Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Medicine Cares, Highmark, Museum of the American Revolution, URL Media, Tucker Law Group, The LenFest Institute for Journalism, Main Line Health, United Healthcare, the Philadelphia Phillies, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Brown’s Family ShopRite, and Jefferson Health Plans.

Relive the Night: Photos and Performances

Didn’t make it to the gala, or just want to relive the evening? WURD has curated the best moments for you.

You can view our photo album—featuring the honorees, the panel, and all the amazing moments—on our official Facebook page. Check out the complete collection of images below to see who joined us in celebrating Dr. Lomax’s legacy.