This week on WURD: firing of Philadelphia DEI official, former Disney star shines, community input on Philly schools

Former City of Philadelphia DEI head Brandee Blocker Anderson joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to talk about her recent termination from her position with the city after reporting that a senior city official sent a sexually suggestive image to one of her direct reports. Anderson explained why she felt her firing was unfair, citing retaliation after reporting misconduct, a culture of fear and a lack of DEI support, and a pattern of retaliatory firings.

Kelly Richards is the president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia and joined Evening WURDs with Dr. James Peterson for August’s “Philly Reads” segment. Richards discussed his career and how he got his start as a librarian, delved into the importance of the free library and shared why he believes the library is the people’s university.

Trinitee Stokes is a 19-year-old author, singer, act and songwriter who is best known for her role as Judy Cooper on the Disney sitcom, “K.C. Undercover” where she starred alongside Zendaya. Stokes joined The Midday Break Room with Tiffany Bacon to talk about her experiences with being involved in multiple career lanes, starting college at 15, and what she has planned next for her career.

Philadelphia Board of Education President Reginald Streater joined Wake Up With WURD to discuss the school district’s facilities planning process to assess and better manage the district’s school buildings, and how families and community members can make their voices heard by the board.

Dewey W. Thomas III is a natural health professional and vice president of Green Dandelion Marketing. He joined Karen Taylor Bass on Soulful Sunrise to promote the importance of being a wellness advocate and what wellness means specifically for Black men in today’s world.