Sista Milele and co-host David Barnes are joined by students as well as the staff, who are a part of the Luther Vandross Foundation.

In 2009, William Johnson was wrongfully convicted of a 2005 murder despite being acquitted two years earlier at a trial built on faulty testimony. At his retrial, a co-defendant’s written statement was used against him, even though that co-defendant admitted he had lied and refused to testify. William had no chance to question him. The PA Innocence Project investigation uncovered major flaws, including problems with one witness’s testimony and an undisclosed recantation from another. They were also able to present DNA evidence in William’s favor. In 2023, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania asked the court to dismiss the charges, citing “egregious” constitutional violations. William won relief.

Even while incarcerated, he stayed close to his large family writing children’s stories for his niece, some of which are now being published.

He joined Dr. Peterson to share his story on this week's premiere of the "Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction" segment on Evening WURDs.

Laurin Talese is an acclaimed American actress, composer, and jazz singer originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Talese has performed at world-class venues including the Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, and the Kennedy Center. In theater, she debuted as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grille in 2023 at Philadelphia Theatre Company.

Laurin joins the show to talk about her singing the Black National Anthem at the Philadelphia Eagles & Dallas Cowboys game on September 4th, 2025. She also talks about the upcoming music she has coming down the pipeline.

Dr. Nina Joy Mena, known as Dr. NJoy, is an Atlanta-based community psychiatrist, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker passionately dedicated to addressing mental health issues. Dr. NJoy is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and holds medical licenses in twelve states.

Dr. Mena joins the show to talk about navigating through stress and anxiety, and to discuss the importance of having a strong sense of self-awareness.

Darius de Haas is an acclaimed American actor and singer known for his extraordinary vocal range and versatility across Broadway, concerts, and recordings. He has starred in Broadway productions such as Rent, Shuffle Along, Marie Christine, and earned an Obie Award for his role in the jazz opera Running Man. On Monday, Oct. 20th, Darius will be performing in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” at The Rittenhouse Grill’s Broadway Cabaret. In this production, he will be the singing voice of ‘Shy Baldwin’, the ‘Nat King Cole’ singer.

Darius joins the show to further discuss his upcoming performance, and his career working in the entertainment industry.

Herb Murrell is a founding member and longtime vocalist of The Stylistics, one of the most successful soul groups of the 1970s. Known for their smooth harmonies and romantic ballads, The Stylistics produced classics like “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “Betcha by Golly, Wow,” and “I’m Stone in Love with You.” Murrell, originally from Philadelphia, helped form the group in the late 1960s when several local singing groups merged. While lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. provided the group’s signature falsetto, Murrell’s baritone and harmonizing played a key role in shaping their lush, distinctive sound.

Herb joins the show to talk about The Stylistics' upcoming performance at Rivers Casino on Friday, September 5, at 8 p.m., and to discuss the group's contributions to the Philadelphia music scene.

Chris Norwood joined Dr. Peterson for this week's "Critical Commentary" segment on Evening WURDs to discuss Florida governor Ron DeSantis working with legislatives to figure out ways to remove vaccine mandates in the state of Florida.

After Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) won an eight year battle from 2002-2010 for the President’s House/Slavery Memorial where George Washington enslaved our ancestors at America’s first “White House” at 6th & Market, Trump is now attempting to censor Black history at that site.

WURD Radio's "Radio Courtroom" host Michael Coard joined Dr. Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss the public meeting that took place on September 3rd at the ATAC Town Hall at Zion Baptist Church.

For more information on ATAC’s resistance, send an email to [email protected]

Stephen Satell joins the show. He is the Founder of "Philadelphia Legacies". Stephen talks to us about the 10th Anniversary of Philadelphia Legacies.

How legacies are shared and perpetuated? and this year's honorees

Attorney and WURD Radio host, Michael Coard joins the show. He talks to us about the rally at President's House, an attempt to save black history here in Philadelphia.