WURD celebrates legacy of founder Dr. Walter P. Lomax Jr.

Before founding one of the few independent black-owned talk radio stations in 2003, Lomax was a revered businessman in Philadelphia.

Darryl C. Murphy

August 24, 2018

Sara Lomax-Reese, president and CEO of WURD Radio, presides over Founder's Day, which celebrates the legacy of her father, Philadelphia physician and entrepreneur Walter P. Lomax, Jr., who founded the radio station. She stands among posters created for WURD's Transmit/Transform multimedia project aimed at stopping violence. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Dr. Robbin Alston leads a seated yoga class on the Terrace of the Free Public Library during Founder's Day, celebrating WURD Radio founder Walter P. Lomax Jr. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Chef Chris Paul, co-founder of Everything We Eat, gives a healthy breakfast demonstration at WURD's Founder's Day celebration at the Central Branch of the Free Public Library. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
WURD's Stephanie Renee hosts her radio program, "The Source," live from the Central Branch of the Free Public Library during Founder's Day. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
WURD Radio's Mike Thomas interviews chef Chris Paul during a cooking demonstration at Founder's Day, celebrating the legacy of Walter P. Lomax Jr. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Philadelphia radio station WURD celebrated the legacy of its founder, the late physician, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Dr. Walter P. Lomax Jr. who died in 2013.

The all-day event included workshops centered around health, wealth, and black empowerment, all central to Lomax’s work.

Although Lomax’s daughter, WURD president and CEO Sara Lomax-Reese, said starting a radio station wasn’t initially in her father’s plans, the 15-year-old station remains his most visible achievement.

“Now this is the piece that’s kind of carrying his legacy into the public domain,” she said.

Before founding one of the few independent black-owned talk radio stations in 2003, Lomax was a revered businessman in the city.

He started in South Philadelphia, where he ran his medical practice out of a rowhome. Lomax once treated Martin Luther King Jr. when the civil rights leader traveled through the city in 1968.

He expanded his practice to six sites with 22 other physicians. He also established businesses that provided health care to underserved communities, including the incarcerated.

Lomax made a fortune, but, according to those close to him, he was just as generous as he was enterprising.

WURD Radio's Mike Thomas interviews chef Chris Paul during a cooking demonstration at Founder's Day, celebrating the legacy of WURD founder Walter P. Lomax, Jr. — WURD Radio’s Mike Thomas interviews chef Chris Paul during a cooking demonstration at Founder’s Day, celebrating the legacy of WURD founder Walter P. Lomax Jr. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Mike Thomas, chief operator at WURD, worked with Lomax for many years and said he was always willing to help up-and-coming black businesses.

“He’s always saying business, watch your money, invest in things, invest in other African-Americans because you got to pay it forward,” he said.

Lomax’s widow, Beverly, and his five children are continuing his business legacy.

In addition to running WURD, the family-owned businesses include The Lomax Companies, an investment fund; Lomax Real Estate Partners; and The Lomax Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization.

Lomax-Reese said, for her family, economic empowerment is the goal.

“Because that was really at his core, his belief that economic empowerment was really, in a capitalistic society, the pathway to liberation and full equality,” she said.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.