The Democratic National Convention is underway this week in Chicago. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks returns to “Closer Look” to provide an analysis of the convention’s opening night and what to expect in the coming days of the event.

Plus, Briana B. Franklin, the president and CEO of The Prosp(a)rity Project, talks about how the nonprofit organization is working to close the Black generational wealth gap and educate others about the current $2 trillion predatory lending crisis.

Lastly, August is Black Philanthropy Month. We hear from Giving GAP CEO Heather Infantry and Alicia Rivera, the CFO of Feeding Georgia Families, and Mallorye Crowell, the founder and President of The Higher Foundation. They talk about how Giving GAP is helping Black-led nonprofits access funding and the challenges they face.

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The 1954 Supreme Court ruling was intended to end racial segregation in America’s public education system. Yet 70 years later, public schools remain deeply segregated by race and socioeconomic status. Here’s the question: Are our public schools truly diverse and equitable for all, or have systemic barriers and persistent resistance hindered progress? For “Closer Look’s” first PRX national show, Rose Scott delves into the long-term impact of this historic ruling as it relates to the current state of public education and the nationwide Black teacher shortage. Guests include: Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College and author of the New York Times bestseller “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race,” Dr. Kamau Bobb, founding senior director of the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech, C. Eileen Welch Watts, former teacher and president and board chair for the Durham Colored Library, Inc., and current teachers Asia Anderson and Alexis Kelly. WABE education reporter Juma Sei is also featured.

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According to the National Institutes of Health, 8% of the U.S. population is living with an autoimmune disease, and out of that percentage, 80% of those people are women. Dr. Howard Chang, a dermatologist, a professor of dermatology and genetics and a Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Stanford University, discusses his latest research which, explores why women are at a greater risk of autoimmune diseases.

Plus, the Georgia State Election Board recently approved a rule that could allow for local election boards to refuse certification of results. The board is already facing a lawsuit for allegedly meeting illegally. Marisa Pyle, the senior democracy defense manager at All Voting is Local Georgia, discusses her organization's concerns with the policy proposals, and why they believe the board is moving to disenfranchise Georgians. 

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The 2024 presidential election is fast approaching and there are still ongoing concerns about fair elections and voter rights. Lauren Groh-Wargo, the CEO of the national voting rights organization Fair Fight Action, talks with Rose about these issues and her organization’s effort to prevent the fallout Georgia saw after the 2020 Election.

Plus, we air WABE education reporter Juma Sei’s feature that explores how Black Atlantans are feeling about the 2024 presidential race.

Lastly, Susie King Taylor is noted as the first African American woman to openly teach Black children in the State of Georgia in the Civil War era. Patt "Sistah Patt" Gilliard Gunn is a master storyteller and founder of the Savannah-based Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee. She talks with Rose about the mission of the center, Taylor’s legacy and the work being done to preserve it, including the renaming of a historic city square in downtown Savannah.

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The Georgia Department of Community Affairs offers several affordable housing programs, including The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, which includes two new programs launched within the last six months for first-time homebuyers. Commissioner Christopher Nunn and Deputy Commissioner for Homeownership Wesley Brooks discuss the current housing market in Georgia and their initiatives aimed to help more Georgians purchase homes.

Plus, an open records request from The Brennan Center For Justice reportedly reveals widespread surveillance by Atlanta Police of political activity, particularly focused on 'Cop City' opponents. Spencer Reynolds, senior counsel for the Brennan Center, joins “Closer Look” to shares what was found in the many pages of documents, his concerns over this level of monitoring by Atlanta Police, and what guardrails should be placed on the agency's surveillance efforts.

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Retired Atlanta detectives Vince Velazquez and David Quinn discuss their new TV One true-crime series, “DEADLY CASE FILES.” The show gives viewers an inside look at how homicide investigators work together to solve cases in the Atlanta area.

Why Not Kids, a local nonprofit that provides affordable childcare to families in Conyers, GA., closed during the pandemic. Winston Stephens, from Why Not Kids, and Bridget Benito from the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, discuss the strain of rising childcare costs on parents in Georgia, the programming and trade training that Why Not Kids will offer to kids, and new efforts to open a new Why Not Kids location.

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Data suggests women are registered to vote in the U.S. at higher rates than men – that includes two-thirds of eligible Black women. On today’s special edition of “Closer Look,” we begin conversations with specific voter blocks leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Show host Rose talks with several guests about what issues are top of mind for Black women in Georgia. Guests include:

Natasha Murphy, the chief of staff for Black Girls Vote

Jasmine Bowles, the executive state director for 9to5 Georgia

Dr. Pearl Dowe, an African American studies and political science professor, who serves as the vice provost for faculty affairs at Emory University

LaTosha Brown, a social strategist and co-founder of Black Voters Matter

Jamine Moton, the CEO of the Atlanta-based company Skylar Security

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Tropical Storm Debby’s winds and downpours have left thousands without power and killed a Georgia teenager, as well as four other people in Florida. Georgia could receive an additional eight inches of rain as the storm is expected to hit the state a second time. WABE environment reporter Emily Jones discusses the latest. We also hear from Maria Center, the executive director of the American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia. She talks about how the Red Cross is responding and the need for volunteers.

Plus Esosa Osa, founder and CEO of Onyx Impact discusses a new report that shines a light on how disinformation is being pushed within Black communities online. Osa talks about what stories are gaining the most traction and how those same outlets can wield their influence to stop disinformation.

Lastly, Vice President Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks talks with Rose about Harris’ VP pick and how this could impact the 2024 presidential race.

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Congresswoman Nikema Williams represents Georgia's 5th congressional district. She joins “Closer Look” to discuss her top priorities for Atlanta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, East Point, and College Park. She highlights the legislation she’s backed as it relates to affordable housing, education, investment in HBCUs, taxes, closing the racial wealth gap, infrastructure and more. She also discusses the challenges of getting bipartisan legislation passed in Congress.

Plus, are you a vegetarian, vegan or a meat-eater? Dr. Michael Francis, a bioinformatician and DNA researcher at the University of Georgia, discusses his new study that looks at how genes influence a person’s response to nutrients. He also explains why the benefits of a vegetarian diet are not one-size-fits-all. 

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A land battle between a freight railroad company and multiple Hancock County property owners has been ongoing for more than two and a half years. The dispute centers around whether Sandersville Railroad Company has the authority to build a 4.5-mile spur on and adjacent to some of their properties. After an April victory for Sandersville Railroad Company, Janet Paige Smith, the coalition leader of No Railroad in Our Community, returns to “Closer Look” to discuss an upcoming appeal.

We also aired WABE’s DorMiya Vance story that explores how East Point’s racial history plays a role in the lack of public aquatic spaces within the city.

Plus, Shannon Manigault is the City of Atlanta’s first inspector general. She talks with Rose about the more than 90 active investigations her office is working on and the “blatant obstruction” that they’re facing. In addition to the challenges, Manigault also explains the role and responsibilities of Atlanta’s inspector general.

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