WURD Radio

Gregory Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State, and director of the Alliance for Education, Sciences, Engineering, and Development in Africa (AESEDA) in the Office of Global Programs.

Gregory joins the show to talk about Hurricane Erin and its impact on the Philadelphia area. In Jenkins' & P.O.C.'s conversation, Jenkins broke down what residents can experience, the aftermath, and how climate change could influence the frequency and intensity of future storms. They also talked about the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Nidhi Krishen is the Deputy Director for Climate Solutions in Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability. She joins the show to talk about the city’s new Energy Poverty Alleviation Strategy. She discussed how energy costs burden many households and highlighted approaches like the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant to improve access, reduce costs, and build a more resilient, equitable future for Philadelphia communities.

Dr. Peterson is joined by Stanley Crawford, founder of the Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia & ROC Collaborative, in the WURD radio studio to discuss gun violence in Philadelphia and how he has had to personally deal with such in his own family. Mr. Crawford also talks about becoming an author with his new book and how he became inspired to write his book.

Luenell, the Original Bad Girl of Comedy, who the LA Magazine named as 1 of the top 25 funniest people in Los Angeles, joins Dr. Peterson in the studio for a hilarious interview where she recounts the comedians who inspired her own comedy, how busy she is touring from city to city, and her thoughts on new up and coming female comic talent.

Pastor James A. Scott Jr. is the new pastor of the Dare to Imagine Church in the Mt. Airy Section of Philadelphia. Pastor Scott joins the show to talk about an annual community event his church is having called the "All White Affair," a safe and joyful space where people from all walks of life can gather, connect, and be reminded that they’re stronger together. There will be activities for the whole family, and over 30 small business vendors participating. Pastor Scott also touches on the importance of building a strong village.

Dr. Tracie Canada is a Duke University professor with an expertise in the lives of Black football players. She is the author of “Tackling the Everyday”. This book takes a much-needed look at power, profit, and survival in college football.

Dr. Canada joins the show to further discuss the context of her book, and to talk about the little-mentioned dilemma a lot of Black college football players endure.

Dr. Aaron Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University. He joins us to talk about the history of slavery in America.

Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton represents the 191st district. She is also a lawyer. She joins us to talk about the president’s push to ban mail-in ballots, and to tell us the latest on Septa funding.

Rev. Joe and Dr. Lynn Peterson join Dr. Peterson to discuss the book "Flying with the Birds: The Last Original Member of the Iconic Dixie Hummingbirds", a memoir about Rev. Joe and his time in the military, working for Pepsi, joining the Dixie Hummingbirds and finally becoming ordained. Rev Joe recounts some of the stories from the book with Dr. Peterson.

Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at La Salle University, where she teaches courses on Mass Incarceration, Restorative Justice, Black Leadership in Criminal Justice Reform and Abolition, among others. Dr. Taylor joins Dr. Peterson to cover the goals of the criminal justice system and how it fails at achieving the majority of those goals, and the difference between reform and abolition, while busting some of the myths about abolition.