Closer Look with Rose Scott

The Georgia State University School of Public Health recently established a new center to better understand homelessness. The Center on Health and Homelessness will lead community-based research and work with organizations across Atlanta to develop evidence-based solutions to address homelessness and its related health issues. Professors Dr. Shannon Self-Brown and Dr. April Ballard, who co-lead the center, talk with Rose about the current state of homelessness in Atlanta, the new center and its top areas of focus.

Plus, the Atlanta History Center in partnership with WABE is launching a new podcast, “1912: The Forsyth County Expulsion and Its Aftermath.” The six-episode podcast hosted by Rose and Sophia Dodd, digital storytelling research manager at the Atlanta History Center, sheds light on the devastating story of more than 1,000 Black residents who were forced out of Forsyth County, Ga., and the ongoing impact it has on generations. Rose talks with Dodd and Kristian Weatherspoon, the vice president of digital storytelling for the Atlanta History Center, about the podcast and how it seeks to correct the historical record and dispel myths about Forsyth County and Lake Lanier. The first two episodes of the podcast will be available for streaming starting Nov.19th. Click here for more information.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is often defined as a framework that advocates for the fair treatment and full participation of all people, with a special emphasis on groups who have been historically underrepresented, marginalized and/or discriminated against. However, many initiatives and programs are under scrutiny from college campuses to corporate America. Now, some experts believe it's time to reimagine and redefine how DEI initiatives are developed and implemented. On today's Feedback Friday edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we’re joined by Nzinga "Zing" Shaw, a veteran DEI consultant. She joins Rose to open up our phone lines and hear from listeners who weigh in about what’s working and what’s not working with DEI.

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WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to “Closer Look,” to discuss whether President-elect Donald Trump's staunch supporters from the Peach State will have a role in his new administration and review how Trump’s reelection could impact Fulton County’s election interference case. The reporters also preview the 2025 legislative session.

Plus, Basil Watson, a Georgia-based Jamaican artist and sculptor, recently sculpted the John Lewis Memorial. The 12-foot statue depicts Lewis with his hands over his heart. The “Closer Look” team caught up with Basil in front of the statue at the Decatur Square. Rose talks one-on-one with Basil about his approach to creating an artistic figure of the late congressman and civil rights pioneer that will be cemented into history for years to come. The new statue of Lewis replaces a Confederate monument that stood there for more than a century.

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Studies have dubbed Atlanta the most overvalued housing market, with homes priced 50% higher than where they should be. Georgia voters say the housing crisis is among their top issues, and there’s mostly bipartisan agreement from voters about how federal authorities should address the problem. That’s according to new research from Dr. Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland.

Rose talks with Kull and Terri Lee, the president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. Kull discusses his findings and how a second Trump administration might address the issue. Lee explains Atlanta’s approach to solving its housing crisis.  

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Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) offers wraparound services to people experiencing extreme poverty, substance use and mental health disorders. The nonprofit organization also responds to non-emergency calls. PAD was expecting to renew a contract with the City of Atlanta. However, the city is pulling back. Moki Macias, who serves as the executive director of PAD, returns to “Closer Look,” to talk more about the unfolding situation and the future of her organization.

“Luther: Never Too Much” is a new documentary that chronicles the life of the late Grammy-award-winning R&B singer, songwriter and record producer Luther Vandross. Documentarian Dawn Porter talks with Rose about creating the film and reflects on the life and legacy of the legendary singer. 

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President-elect Donald Trump is now preparing to take office for his second term in office. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded the 2024 presidential race but is encouraging voters to stay engaged and to continue fighting for a better America. Emory professors Dr. Pearl Dowe and Andra Gillespie return to “Closer Look,” for analysis of post-presidential election results and what exit polls reveal about specific voting blocs.

Plus, for a journalists’ roundtable, Rose talks with Dan Whisenhunt, the founder and editor of Decaturish.com, Nsenga Burton, an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire, and Donnell Suggs, the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Voice. The group shares how they will approach covering the Trump administration for a second term.

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Votes are still being counted, but former President Donald Trump is the projected winner of the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris. On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we open the phone lines to hear from Georgia voters. Rose is joined by GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer and Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst Fred Hicks. They provide analysis of the presidential race and several other key local races. They also discuss what’s next for the Republicans and Democrats.

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The 2024 presidential election is just one day away. What role is Georgia playing in this election? How did we get into the national spotlight? WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look,” to talk about Georgia’s growing influence on the presidential race since 2020 and what he saw on the campaign trail during this election cycle. We also hear from Republican Scott Klug, a former Wisconsin congressman. We’ll get further analysis from Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst Fred Hicks. They’ll both reflect on some of the most memorable moments of the campaign trail leading up to now.

Plus, Loretta Green, 89, is an Atlanta-based voting rights advocate. She talks with Rose Scott about how she uses her poll tax exemption card to educate others about voting rights and the importance of voting.

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Since July, according to an Associated Press report, more than 63,000 voter registrations have been challenged in Georgia, and roughly 1% of the people called into question have been removed from the state's voting rolls. Despite the low percentage of questionable enrollees, lawsuits are reportedly still being filed to order counties to do more. Associated Press reporter Jeff Amy discusses the latest.

Plus, Comcast and Inspiredu recently opened a flagship Lift Zone in Atlanta to advance digital equity and drive economic growth. The new center offers free internet access and digital skills training. Melinda Little, vice president of Government Affairs for Comcast's 'Big South' region, talks more about the new facility and how it will serve as a connection hub for Georgians.

Lastly, Aku Kadogo, a senior lecturer for the Department of Theater & Performance at Spelman College, and Spelman student Maddison Gardner, discuss an upcoming musical showcase called Sankofunktopia. The event inspired by George Clinton and Parliament- Funkadelic’s album, “Funkentelechy vs The Placebo Syndrome,” is slated for Nov. 7 - 9 at 7 p.m. and again on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Baldwin Burroughs Theatre.

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Georgians are voting on three statewide ballot measures - all related to taxes. But the language can be confusing for many voters. Daniel Kanso, the director of legislative strategy and senior fiscal analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, returns to “Closer Look,” to explain what each of the measures mean and the potential implications of the measures if they are passed.

WABE TV’s senior producer Brianna Carr discusses her team’s latest documentary,” We Expect Nothing Less: The Benjamin E. Mays Story.” The short film, produced in partnership with HBCU Week Now, follows the journey of incoming Morehouse College freshmen as they learn about their school’s sixth president Dr. Benjamin E. Mays’ influence on civic leadership and the Morehouse mystique philosophy. 

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