Larry Platt / Philadelphia Citizen Photo courtesy: Chris Mansfield In Philly, it’s been a longstanding challenge, the gulf between one’s national political perspective and the realities on the ground here. To wit: If you’re a proud supporter of the American labor movement — as well you should be — for a long time that meant turning a blind eye to thuggery and shady backroom dealings locally. Or: You may shake your […]
By James Peterson | WURD RadioOver 190 years ago, on a sweltering August evening in 1834, Philadelphia erupted in an episode of violence that would forever shape the history of Black Philadelphia—a riot sparked by a squabble over a merry-go-round. Known in history as the Flying Horses Riot, this explosive moment underscored the deeply entrenched racial tensions of early 19th-century America and also laid bare the complex interplay between leisure, […]
Photo Credit: This image, Bengt Nyman | originally posted to Flickr, then uploaded to Commons - Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license Foreign Policy Analyst Malcolm Nance joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to discuss the security implications of the Trump administration's apparent support for Russia in the Ukraine war. Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, joined Wake Up With WURD to discuss […]
Keir Bradford-Grey, head of civil rights at Marrone Law Firm, and veteran HR administrator Karla Hill joined Solomon Jones on Wake Up With WURD to discuss the legal and civil rights implications of mass firings under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and focused on the historical role of government employment in providing stability for Black workers and families.Dr. Alpa Patel, co-investigator of the VOICES of Black Women study — an initiative by the […]
Chubby Chicks restaurateur Shakeira Turner says she has endured two months of alleged racial harassment from residents living above her business. Turner joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to talk about the aggressions she experienced and the overwhelming support from politicians, influencers, and patrons.Shirley Lee Corsey is the conservator and executive director of the Black-owned Gather Place Museum. Corsey joined Reality Check with Tonya Pendleton to promote an upcoming event […]
Photo Credit: Governor Wolf Attends Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Victory ParadeWURD's very own Chris Murray joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs. He discussed the Eagles’ dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs and Kendrick Lamar’s viral halftime performance.Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joanna McClinton joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones and reviewed the highlights of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget. McClinton discussed the goals […]
By Sara M. Lomax | WURD Radio Early in my journalism career, my favorite professor, Samuel Freedman, proclaimed: “Good writing is good writing.” I interpreted that to mean that it doesn’t matter whether you're writing the great American novel or a business plan, the tenants of good writing traverse all genres. I have clung to that notion since my career has been rooted on the business side of journalism. I […]
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told listeners on Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones all they need to know about the plane crash in northeast Philly, which is under active investigation. Bethel talked about the recovery process for the surrounding community and the city’s resources to keep people safe.Director of Social Studies for the School District of Philadelphia, Ismael Jimenez, joined Evening WURDs with Dr. James Peterson and talked about the […]
Celebrate Black History Month with WURD Radio by focusing on phenomenal Black Philly writers as we create our essential reading list to survive 2025. Please see the essential reading list from several Philadelphia Black writers below:Lorene Cary's RecommendationsThe Price of the Ticket - James BaldwinYour favorite Black children’s book and one new one to read to a child.See Origin, by Ava DuVernay, since a movie script is a powerful form […]
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the leadership of Elon Musk is already causing major privacy concerns around taxpayers' information. Associated Press Reporter Fatima Hussein joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to break down how Musk’s newly acquired power has raised questions about how much power unelected officials can and should have. DOGE was created to eliminate governmental “waste” to make government agencies, such as the U.S. […]
