WURD Radio

Katherine Cooper is a Philadelphia native who is the president of MBP Enterprise LLC: an organization that provides reliable, affordable, and top-tier auto rental services to people in the Philadelphia area. At 18, her life took a sharp turn when she was incarcerated for theft—a decision born out of survival and the heavy responsibility of providing for her family at a young age. For five years, Katherine cycled in and out of jail, facing the weight of stigma and struggle.

Katherine joins the show to talk about her businesses, and her personal journey: including her being incarcerated at the age of 18, being in and out of jail for a number of years, to becoming an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses.

Sonia “Sunny” Blount is the creator of the Philly Black Wine and Spirits Festival. Sonia is a Philadelphia native and Temple University Fox School of Business alumna, and is the visionary CEO of Kabila Events.

Sonia joins the show to further discuss what the festival entails, and the significance behind it.

Stacey Woodson joins the show. She is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Author. Stacey talks to us about having a holistic approach to nutrition.

Lauren Cristella, President & CEO Committee of Seventy joins the show. She talks to us about Committee of 70, in partnership with Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and PA Youth Vote, is excited to invite your networks to Behind the Ballot – Fireside Chat: PA Supreme Court Retention Elections, a nonpartisan public forum designed to help Pennsylvanians better understand the upcoming judicial retention elections.

WURD Radio C.E.O. Sara Lomax joins the show. She talks to us about the "Ready, Set, Grow" launch event at the Barnes Foundation, Friday, Sept. 5th. Black business owners and entrepreneurs will be hearing directly from all the top city & state stakeholders who are on the panels.

Matthew R. Kay is the founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy, where he teaches an innovative and project-based curriculum. He founded a professional and consulting program called “Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom” and authored 3 books, including “Prompting Deeper Discussions” and “Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Middle and High School ELA”.

He joined Dr. Peterson for this week's Tuesday teach-in segment on Evening WURDs to discuss his “Not Light, But Fire” book and program, and work at the Science Leadership Academy.

Gregory Jackson is a national policy strategist, community organizer and public health advocate working at the intersection of gun violence prevention, racial equity and public safety innovation.

He joined Dr. Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss his recent New York Times statements regarding Trump “demonizing” communities of color and using typical “race-baiting language”.

Jasmine Wright is a National Political Reporter from the Allbritton Journalism Institute, and a proud Chicagoan. She previously was a reporter-producer at PBS NewsHour where she covered politics, the Trump administration and general affairs.

She returned to Evening WURDs with Dr. Peterson to discuss Trump threatening to send the National Guards to Chicago and the significance of Trump taking away Kamala Harris' secret service.

Dr. Treshonda Baucom is the owner of Enriched Life & Counseling: a mental health resource for children, teens, individual adults and couples. Enriched Life & Consulting specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, stress management, life transitions, mindfulness, and more.

Dr. Baucom joins the show to offer recommendations to parents looking to help ease their children back into the swing of things and insights on how to ensure success past the start of the school year and into 2026.

Dr. Shelley Burke is a pediatric nurse with over 40 years of experience and the author of the critically acclaimed new book, The Unsung Heroes. In her groundbreaking book, Dr. Burke tells the stories of these everyday champion nurses. She discusses the challenges and obstacles they face, the state of nurses during the pandemic, and more. She puts into words why so many people pursue a career in nursing.

Dr. Burke joins the show to further discuss the context of her book, and to also talk about the significant role that nurses play in today’s medical industry.