Councilman Curtis Jones joins the show. He talks to us about the city’s $7.1 million-dollar budget, and public safety after three police officers were shot during an altercation with a former fire fighter.

Ben Tinsley is a French teacher based in Colombia, South America. A teacher of almost 2 decades and a lifelong student, Ben has dedicated his professional and personal life to the pursuit of substantive diversity, equity, and belonging in education. In the classroom, he has had the opportunity to work with teachers and schools around the world to develop curricula that center Black Indigenous Communities of Color and other historically marginalized peoples.

Ben joins the show to continue teaching WURD listeners small French words and phrases.

Dr. Monica A. Nwokocha (en-wah-KAH-chuh), a board-certified family medicine physician and author of the Amazon bestselling memoir Custody MD: Fighting for the Woo. In Custody MD: Fighting for the Woo, Dr. Adwoafuaa Nwokocha delivers a raw, gripping memoir chronicling her descent into the high-stakes hell of family court. What begins as a love story between two med school students unravels into a devastating custody battle against her ex-husband—an elite cardiac surgeon with the money, lawyers, and manipulative tactics to weaponize the legal system.

Dr. Monica A. Nwokocha joined the show to further talk about the context of her book, and to talk about the multiple dynamics that come in to play when going through custody battles in court.

Amber Mays is the director of events at the African American History Museum in Philadelphia, the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret, and exhibit the heritage of African Americans

The 2026 Juneteenth Jubilee Block Party & Free Museum Day at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) takes place on Friday, June 19, 2026. AAMP will also have free museum admission from 10am-5pm on this day. This signature city event double-celebrates AAMP's 50th anniversary and kicks off the annual Wawa Welcome America festival. The Block party will take place from 12pm-5pm.

Performances at this event will include performances by the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh & Leah Jenea. Patty Jackson and DJ Doc B will also be in attendance.

Jasmine joined the show to talk about AAMP's upcoming Juneteenth Block Party.

Jasmine Nelson is the founder of Umber by J. Lenay, a beauty brand created to help women reduce unwanted hair and reclaim confidence. Founded in 2019 and expanded from Oakland to Houston, Umber has stayed grounded in handmade, all-natural principles while growing into a dermatologist-tested, plant-based brand. Jasmine’s work also extends beyond products through a Facebook community supporting women who want better information and encouragement around PCOS, hirsutism, and excessive hair growth.

Umber wasn’t built in a studio. It's roots come from Jasmine’s personal struggle with hirsutism, a condition linked to PCOS, that caused years of unwanted hair growth and skin challenges. After trying every option—from razors and creams, to DIY masks, and even electrolysis—she was left frustrated. She wasted time and money, was scarred from failed hair removal methods, and was convinced she’d be stuck plucking and shaving forever.

Jasmine joined the show to talk about her motive for starting Umber by J. Lenay, and to talk about the importance of instilling beauty in women.

DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Allen Townes) is an American DJ, producer, and actor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He rose to fame as one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with Will Smith.

The pair won the first Grammy ever awarded for a rap performance in 1989 for “Parents Just Don't Understand.” Jeff is widely respected for his innovative turntable skills and influence on DJ culture. He also appeared as Jazz on the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Beyond performing, he has produced music for numerous hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul artists. He remains one of the most influential DJs in hip-hop history.

On June 21st, Jazzy Jeff will be serving as the Grand Marshall for the Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative’s Parade. This is the nation's largest Juneteenth celebration. The 2026 festivities take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, featuring a massive parade down South 52nd Street that leads directly into a vibrant festival and vendor marketplace at Malcolm X Memorial Park. Jazzy Jeff will also be joined by Philadelphia City and County Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who will represent “Ladies First”, this year’s theme at the festival.

DJ Jazzy Jeff joins the show to talk about his involvement as the Grand Marshal in the upcoming PAJI Juneteenth Parade.

WURD radio celebrates live at the 51st anniversary of the Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the nation with hosts Tiffany Bacon of the Midday Braek Room and co-host Tech Life Steph of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph. Together, they speak to various vendors at Odunde to find out what they sell and why the Odunde Festival is so important to the community. This broadcast is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Lottery.

WURD radio celebrates live at the 51st anniversary of the Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the nation with hosts Tiffany Bacon of the Midday Braek Room and co-host Tech Life Steph of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph. Together, they speak to various vendors at Odunde to find out what they sell and why the Odunde Festival is so important to the community. The Pennsylvania Lottery sponsors this broadcast.

WURD radio celebrates live at the 51st anniversary of the Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the nation with hosts Tiffany Bacon of the Midday Braek Room and co-host Tech Life Steph of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph. Together, they speak to various vendors at Odunde to find out what they sell and why the Odunde Festival is so important to the community. The Pennsylvania Lottery sponsors this broadcast.

This episode of On The Record with Ernest Owens focuses on the host, Ernest, speaking with callers about the conclusion of Philadelphia's City Council meetings for 2026, as well as an independent forensic audit to find out where taxpayers' money is going.