WURD Radio

Carlton Williams, Director of Clean & Green Initiatives for the Parker Administration, joins Dr. Peterson to give an update on the Mayor’s Clean & Green Initiatives, the city-wide spring cleaning event on April 5th, diversion rates and the effectiveness of recycling, and the waste management challenges with our university neighborhoods.

Chris Norwood joins Dr. Peterson for the weekly Critical Commentary with Cousin Chris segment to discuss the "Signalgate" scandal and reflect on the ineptitude of the current administration. They compare how Republicans responded to the scandal in contrast with how they responded to Hillary Clinton's email scandal.

Bridgett M. Davis joins the show. She is the author of the memoir, "Love, Rita", published by Harper Books in spring 2025. Bridgett is also the writer and Director of the award winning film, "Naked Acts"

Tiphanie White joins the show. She talks to us about the Dorothy D. White Community Center–the non-profit honoring her grandmother for a lifetime of work.

Valerie Ray, aka Valray, is the founder and CEO of “Valray Productions'', her own media and entertainment company. Valray has been a strong force in the entertainment industry bringing a variety of local jazz artists to the stage throughout Philadelphia.

ValRay joins the show to further talk about an event her organization, “ValRay Productions” is having on March 28 titled: Women History Month Songstress Celebrating Sisterhood with Women in Song, Poetry and Dance. This event pays homage to Black women who have made a grand impact in the music industry. The event will honor Roberta Flack, Angie Stone, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, Phyllis Hyman and Nikki Giovanni, and more. The event will take place on March 28, 2025, 7 p.m. at the Treasures Banquet Facility, 5549 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA.

Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses (Black) historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens.

Ernest joins the show to talk about his new book: "How Black History Can Save Your Life: From The Talk To George Floyd: Everything You Need to Know to Deescalate a Racist Situation".

In a recent Philadelphia Citizen article, Councilmember Thomas is quoted as saying “Economics should not be partisan. Right now, the suburbs are benefitting from our terrible tax structure. We need to attract jobs to the city.”

He joins Dr. Peterson to discuss more from the recent Philadelphia Citizen article: "A Tax Reform Plan Even Progressives Can Love?" and the recent city budget.

Taj Murdock, the Founder and CEO of Men of Courage - a community nonprofit mentoring organization for young men ages 12 to 18. Taj Murdock, along with his staff, believe that the pathway to freedom for young men is through development, teaching and exposure in a safe space with signature programs that concentrate on critical thinking, emotional intelligence and prepare them for future leadership.

He joins Dr. Peterson to talk about preparing young men for tomorrow.

Donna Cooper is the Executive Director and Priyanka Reyes-Kaura is the Policy Director of K-12 Education at Children First. Children First is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that improves the lives and opportunities of children in southeastern Pennsylvania. Through thoughtful and informed advocacy, community education, targeted service projects, and budget analysis, Children First watches out and speaks out for children and families.

They join Dr. Peterson to share Children First’s latest report - A Decade of Stalled Progress--Opportunity Stunted for Children in Philadelphia, an in-depth county report on the status of children in Philadelphia county.

Jared C. Bass, Esq. is the Senior Vice President for Education Policy at Center for American Progress. Prior to this role, Bass worked on the House Appropriations Committee; within the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Department in the U.S. Department of Education; and the lead higher education staffer on the House Committee of Education and the Workforce - Democratic Staff.

He joins Dr. Peterson to discuss the elimination of the Department of Education.