WURD Radio

As we continue with Building the Black Agenda, we discuss the next Cash Mob event with Christa Barfield of FarmerJawn.

Melvin Powell is the Events and Membership Manager for Green Philly. Melvin joins the show to talk about Green Philly's upcoming garden party celebrating the launch of We Are Seeds, a special mini-series from the Gritty & Green podcast. Happening on August 19 at the NKCDC Garden, the event will feature native plants, interactive activities, food, drinks, and conversations on gardening and sustainability in Philadelphia.

Curtis Da'Von is the organizing director for Clean The Water Action/Fund Western PA. Curtis joined the show to talk about the deadly explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works in Pennsylvania. After over 20 years of environmental justice organizing, he mentioned that such incidents are tragically familiar, but this time has drawn renewed attention due to a tragic loss of life and longstanding pollution violations.

Natasha Smith is a grief advocate and educator, and author of her newly released book "Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness". She unearths a painful reality that is tangled within our nation’s roots and DNA: trauma, loss and grief are embedded in the lived experience of the Black woman in the United States.

She joined Dr. Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss her new book, "Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness", and her "Dear Black Women" message.

Antoine McDonald is the only black librarian in Rochester, New York. He is the founder of The Total Wellness, Academic and Advocacy Network, LLC (T.W.A.A.N), a Black owned and operated company on a mission to address low reading and literacy rates among Black & Brown youth in the greater Rochester area through interactive Book Club sessions.

He joined Dr. Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss the New York library system and his literacy work in Rochester.

National Security Expert Nola Haynes joins the show. She weighs in on what the takeover of the police department and deployment of the Nation Guard by President Donald Trump, means for Washington DC

Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner joins the show. He talks to us about whether the Trump administration’s takeover of the DC police department could happen here in Philadelphia.

Rev. Robert Polk was named pastor of the Congregational Church of Berthold in North Dakota in 1955, becoming the only Black person in the entire town.

97 year old Rev. Polk recently returned back to North Dakota to accept the Trailblazer Award, which was covered in July’s Chestnut Hill Local. He joined Dr. Peterson to discuss his Trailblazer Award recognition and share his story.

Ricky Codio is a photographer, visual artist, entrepreneur, and owner of the Ricky Codio Foundation, his own mentorship program where he coaches youth on how to better their photography skills. Through photography, mentorship, and advocacy, we strive to inspire, empower, and uplift individuals, leveraging art as a catalyst for meaningful change. Ricky is also the founder of the Mannequin Factory (MQ Factory), which is his own production and podcast studio.

Ricky joins the show to further discuss his foundation, production studio, and his work as a photographer.

Patricia Wilson Aden is President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, which leads, strengthens and amplifies the voices of the region's diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more.

Patricia joins the show to talk about this year’s findings in the 2025 PA CultureCheck report: a statewide report that shines a light on the pandemic recovery progress and community engagement efforts of cultural, arts, and humanities organizations.