Dr. James Peterson’s WURD radio podcast series earns NAACP Image Award nomination

Dr. James Peterson, professor of literature in Delaware State University’s College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences, is helping elevate important conversations on justice and community through the six-part podcast series “Exonerated: The Cost of Wrongful Conviction,” a series from WURD Radio’s “Evening WURDs” program. As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, the series has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

The series centers on the stories of individuals who were wrongfully incarcerated and explores how family, neighbors, and grassroots support systems play a role in rebuilding lives after release. The series also highlights the work of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, an organization focused on securing freedom for people who have been unjustly imprisoned while advocating for policy change and providing reentry support.

Reflecting on the nomination, Peterson credited the recognition to the team behind the series and the community that has supported WURD Radio over the years.

“It’s validation for the people who listen to WURD when they wake up in the morning until they go to sleep at night,” he said. “And there’s a level of dedication from some of our listeners that sets the bar for what we’ve done throughout the years. It’s a team win and team effort, but it’s really a community win.”

The 57th NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live on Saturday, February 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The annual event celebrates Black excellence across film, television, music, and literature.

Through scholarship, media work, and public dialogue, Peterson continues to bring national attention to issues of equity, justice, and civic engagement while representing Delaware State University’s commitment to meaningful impact beyond the classroom.