This week on WURD: Philly teachers on strike, SEPTA’s funding issues, Sankofa through farming

Philadelphia Inquirer Education Reporter Kristen Graham, joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to break down the latest on the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ strike authorization. She laid out the union’s key demands, explained the timeline for a possible strike and clarified that it’s not just teachers, but a broad coalition of school staff fighting for improvements.

Senator Nikil Saval represents Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District, which runs through the heart of Philadelphia. He joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to explain SEPTA’s transit funding, the whole-home repairs program and recent policy hearings regarding workers’ protections.

Jordyn Jay is the founder and executive director of BTFA (Black Trans Femmes in the Arts), a global movement that seeks to produce and preserve the artistic innovations and creations of Black trans femmes. Jay joined the Mid-Day Show with Tiffany Bacon to talk about the initiatives within the BTFA Collective.

Elaine Brown is a former Black Panther Party Chair, author and CEO of Oakland & the World Enterprises, Inc. She joined Solutions with Amadee Braxton to discuss her childhood in North Philadelphia, her involvement in the Black Panther Party and her latest project–building affordable housing in Oakland, California.

Chris Bolden-Newsome is the founding co-director of the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden. Bolden-Newsome joined ecoWURD with P.O.C. to discuss how Sankofa is rooted in the African diaspora experience in Philly and how to purchase healthy, local food while supporting Sankofa’s mission.