WURD Radio

On May 7th 2025, WURD Radio hosted an AI event at the P4 Hub in Germantown to host an event: Artificial Intelligence & Black Realities Pt. II. This event explored the impact of AI on Black and Brown communities, from workforce disruption to public policy and representation in tech. With the recent alignment between tech company leadership and the new White House, speakers offered their insights into navigating AI’s complexities while advocating for justice and inclusion in a rapidly evolving landscape. Panelists discussed the urgent need for transparency and accountability in AI, strategies to ensure equity in the face of resistance, and the importance of diverse leadership in shaping ethical innovation. The panelists included Dr. Timnit Gebru, Twana Petty, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, & Brandon Washington.

Twana Petty is a social justice organizer, poet, and author. She is the founding executive director of "Petty Propolous": an artist incubator that teaches poetry, policy, literacy, advocacy, data, and digital privacy education. In 2023, she was awarded the AI Policy Leader & Civil Society Award by the Center of AI & Digital Policy.

Twana joins the program to describe "ethical AI", examples of community use of AI, how different organizations go about designing AI, and much more.

Dr. Timnit Gebru is an Ethiopian-born computer scientist and a leading voice in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) ethics. She is renowned for her work on algorithmic bias, data mining, and advocating for diversity and accountability in AI development.

Dr. Gebru joined WURD Radio's special program "Artificial Intelligence, Black Realities, Part 2" on May 7, 2025, to talk about Black workers in tech, defining language models and machine learning, and to discuss who is designing and deploying AI -- and who should be.

Rep. Napoleon Nelson represents the 154th legislative district in Montgomery County, PA. He is the current chair of the PA Legislative Black Caucus, the vice chair of the New House Tech & Communication Committee, and founded The Emerging Technologies Caucus. Brandon Washington is a Philadelphia native who is a serial social entrepreneur & educator. He's spent the past 9 years teaching & inspiring students.

They both join the program to talk about how one can become AI-literate, how to stay up to date with the advancements in technology, education pathways for community leaders, and more.

Current District Attorney Larry Krasner and fellow candidate Patrick Dugan are running in the Democratic primary for district attorney of Philadelphia on May 20th.

No Republican candidate has filed to run in the general election.

The district attorney of Philadelphia is responsible for charging, and prosecuting accused criminals. The office decides what offenses someone will be charged with, and can also determine sentencing via plea deals.

Current District Attorney Larry Krasner was first elected in 2017, and is running for this third term.

Candidate Pat Dugan is a former judge on the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

They both join Dr. Peterson to discuss a variety of subjects that Philadelphians and WURD Radio listeners feel are extremely important and prevalent.

Dr. Phyllis Riley Sabb joins the show. She is a CEO, veteran, educator and author of "The Journey Within". She talks to us about strategies to overcome anxiety, PTSD and emotional trauma during Mental Health Awareness Month

Criminal defense attorney and WURD host Michael Coard breaks down the verdict in the Tyre Nichols cse, and previews the Know Your Rights event in connection with Building the Black Agenda.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel joins the show. He talks to us about the police shooting at Overbrook high school and the plan to help limit gun violence during the upcoming summer months.

Isaac Avilucea is a reporter for Axios Philadelphia and a frequent contributor to the show, where he gives WURD listeners pertinent updates on trending news stories.

Isaac joins the show to speak on Federal funding potentially being in jeopardy for Philly's "Chinatown Stitch project", billboards being put up around Philadelphia that are protesting the Trump administration's cuts to national parks, and more.

Kathia Woods is a regular entertainment correspondent on Reality Check. She is a Philadelphia Tribune contributor and an entertainment reporter with her own show, "Cup of Soul Show" on YouTube.

Kathia joins the show to talk about Marvel's new "Thunderbolts" movie, Her recent interview with Anna Lambe for her new series on Netflix titled , “North of North”, Her take on the quality of movies that were released this spring/summer, and more.