Industry News

WURD, Philadelphia Presents Small Business Initiative

Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is presenting, “Ready, Set, Grow: Preparing Small Businesses for America’s 250th,” a free event designed to equip small business owners with the tools and insights necessary to successfully navigate upcoming opportunities. Philadelphia will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and is aimg host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. “Ready, Set, Grow” happens on September 5 at the Barnes Foundation. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, WURD will feature on-air programming, live panel discussions, and multimedia storytelling to provide entrepreneurs and neighborhood business corridors with the tools they need to thrive. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Ready, Set, Grow is crafted specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the region who are seeking strategies to leverage the historic momentum of America’s 250th anniversary. We are convening a panel of the experts and decision-makers who are best positioned to share how the small business community can make the most of this moment.” Ready, Set Grow’s panel discussion will feature executives from business and tourism organizations.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

“Building the Black Agenda” Set for Sunday. Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is presenting its next “Building the Black Agenda” mobilization and live broadcast on Sunday (6/29). The station says its “Building the Black Agenda” initiative has hosted three “Cash Mobs” to support small, Black-owned businesses, the cornerstone of the initiative. This Sunday’s cash mob aims to mobilize listeners and supporters to contribute to WURD Radio’s continued survival and growth. The station has set a $20,000 fundraising goal.

NHPR Files Friend of the Court Brief. New Hampshire Public Radio filed a friend of the court brief making the case for blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that would defund public media. Along with 28 other public radio organizations, NHPR contends in the brief that Trump’s executive order is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, that it would upend a system Congress devised to maintain the editorial independence of public media, that it would strip stations of the right to make their own programming choices, and that it violates the Constitutional separation of powers.

Industry News

WURD, Philadelphia Lays Off Four

According to a report by Axios Philadelphia, urban talk outlet WURD-AM/W241CH, Philadelphia is cutting four staffers from the payroll in a move “meant to ensure the station’s long-term survival.” Affected by the cuts are “Reality Check” host Tonya Pendleton, her lead producer Troy Wilmore, content writer Kiaraimg Santos, and one other employee. According to a memo to staff from WURD CEO and president Sara Lomax wrote praising those affected for their “meaningful contributions to our station, our community, and our city. This decision was not made lightly. As an independent media radio station, it is imperative that we maintain our ability to give Black Philadelphia a voice and a place to make their voices heard.” She also wrote, “I’m very confident we will survive and thrive. “It’s time like this that outlets like WURD are needed more than ever. We want to be around for another 22 years and another 22 after that.”