WURD Radio

Senator Nikil Saval represents Pennsylvania’s First Senatorial District, which runs through the heart of Philadelphia. Senator Saval serves as Democratic Chair of the Senate’s Urban Affairs & Housing Committee, and leads the Senate’s Philadelphia Delegation.

He joined Dr. Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss Pennsylvania’s state budget, which still hasn’t been passed from its June 30th deadline.

Christian Rodriguez is the organizer of the TAMEARTZ Hip Hop in the Park Music Festival. This is an event that is taking place in Philadelphia on August 9th, 2025. This event will display the full Hip-Hop experience, and features DJing, breaking, MC-ing, writing, and graffiti activities.

Christian join the show to further talk what this festival will entail, the significance of it, and what he hopes people will be able to take away from it.

Author of “Plantation Theory: The Black Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom and Security”; and Founder & CEO of Upfront Marital Technologies Inc. – a date app for single Black professionals, John Graham joins Dr. Peterson in studio to discuss his book and the need for his dating app for black professionals and what sets Upfront apart from contemporary dating apps.

Host Dr. Peterson and Michael Negron, a senior fellow for economic opportunity at the Center for American Progress, where he focuses on economic development, consumer protection and small-business policy have a conversation about the recent firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The two speculate on the effects of the President's decision and whether or not the next head of the bureau will be influenced by Trump.

Dr. James Peterson is joined by Kelly Richards, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia about how Mr. Richards got his start as a librarian. Richard further delves into the importance of the free library and why he believes it is the people's university.

Trinitee Stokes is a 19-year-old author, international speaker, host, singer, actress, and songwriter. She is most known for her role as Judy Cooper on the Disney Sit-Com, "K.C. Undercover", where she starred alongside Zendaya. At just 15 years old, Trinitee made history as the youngest student ever accepted to Emerson College, where she completed a degree in Political Communication with a minor in Public Diplomacy in just about 2½ years while balancing her acting career and remote college coursework.

Trinitee joins the show to talk about her experiences with being involved in multiple creative lanes, starting college at 15, her faith in God, her work ethic, and what she has planned next for her career.

James Garrow is the Communications Director for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. He joins the show to talk about the ongoing heat wave and how it’s affecting the city. From the Air Quality Index to safety tips and resources, James explored what Philadelphians need to know to stay cool, healthy, and informed as extreme weather intensifies.

Dr. Steven Hughes is the Professor of Biology and Director of the Aquaculture Research and Education Laboratory at Cheyney University. He joins the show to about the truth behind the fish we eat. From farm-raised vs. wild-caught salmon to health myths and food justice. Dr. Hughes unpacks how urban communities can shop smart, eat well, and live healthier lives.

Richard Allen joins the show. He is the son of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Dick Allen. He joins us to talk about the fight to get his father into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

documentary, “The Sixth Borough". "The Sixth Borough" is a dynamic new documentary from BDC filmmaker Jason Pollard, honoring Long Island's profound and often unsung impact on Hip Hop culture. This film will also be featured in the Black Star Film Festival.

Jason joins the show to further discuss the context of his film, and to also discuss his motive for wanting to highlight the history and significance of the Hip-Hop culture in Long Island, New York.