WURD Radio's 2021 Founder's Day Celebration

Details

On Thursday. Aug. 26, WURD Radio will host its annual Founder’s Day celebration honoring the life and legacy of WURD founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D. Join us at 18th and Wharton streets, site of Dr. Lomax’s first medical center, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a ceremonial street naming in his honor. Reality Check host Charles Ellison will broadcast live on site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There also will be the opportunity to purchase or renew your forWURD membership at the special Founder’s Day rate of $80. All are welcome; however, on-site parking will be limited, so use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Mask-wearing is also encouraged.

Founder’s Day also will include a series of virtual panels and conversations exploring health, wealth and independent media. Check out the full schedule of events below.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 5-6 p.m.: forWURD Members Exclusive — Founder’s Day Preview: An Evening with the Lomax Family
On the eve of WURD Radio’s annual Founder’s Day celebration, President and CEO Sara Lomax-Reese and other members of the Lomax family will have an intimate conversation exclusively with forWURD members and share personal reflections on the life and legacy of WURD founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D. This is a members-only event. RSVP is required.
Thursday, Aug. 26: Founder’s Day 2021
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Ceremonial street naming at 1800 Wharton St. in honor of WURD Radio founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D.
Speakers:

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson
Beverly Lomax, wife of Dr. Lomax
Ben Johnson, childhood friend of Dr. Lomax
Pastor Alyn Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
State Sen. Vincent Hughes
Sonia Sanchez, poet extraordinaire
Kenny Gamble, legendary songwriter and music producer, The Sound of Philadelphia
Sara Lomax-Reese, daughter of Dr. Lomax and President and CEO of WURD Radio

During the ceremonial street naming, five honorees will receive the inaugural WURD Community Impact Award:

Pastor Alyn Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
Veronica Hill-Millbourne, President and CEO, Spectrum Health
Philly Truce
Theatre in the X
Kwasa Mathis, Morning Drive Producer and Digital Media Manager, WURD Radio

2:30-4 p.m.: “Health Equity in the Age of Covid” (virtual panel discussion)
Panelists:

Sharelle Barber, ScD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology; Inaugural Director, Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements and Population Health Equity, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health
J. Steven Blake, D.O., M.Sc., FACOI, Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, President and CEO, Blake Gastroenterology Associates
Celine Gounder, M.D., HIV/infectious disease specialist, internist, epidemiologist, podcaster, writer and filmmaker; member of President Biden’s Covid-19 Advisory Board
John A. Rich, MD, MPH, Professor of Health Management and Policy at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health and Co-Director of the Drexel Center for Nonviolence and Justice

4-7 p.m.: “Racial Wealth Equity and Economic Justice” (virtual panel discussions)
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Panel 1 — Black Business Roundtable

Damon Hopson, Hopson Cleaning Service
Jeannine Cook, Owner, Harriett’s Bookshop
Dr. Wayne Williams, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Temple University Fox School of Business

5:45-6:45 p.m.: Panel 2 — Connecting Black Businesses to Institutional Resources