What are the top concerns for Black voters this election cycle? The Black Futures Lab surveyed Black folks across the country for its Black Census Project, which included election-related questions.

Alexsis Rodgers, the political director at the Black Futures Lab, and the Black to the Future Action Fund, discusses the findings of the census, which was used to inform the Black Economic Agenda.

Plus, podcast creator Jeff Keating and consulting historian GSU Professor Maurice Hobson discuss “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.” The new Peacock TV streaming series is based on the iHeart true-crime podcast that chronicles an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta.

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Immigration, border security, gun safety, crime, reproductive rights, jobs, and the Israeli-Hamas War were among the top issues addressed during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.  Alan Abramowitz, a professor emeritus of political science at Emory University, returns to “Closer Look” for a recap of the convention.

Plus, the Georgia State Election Board is facing criticism along with calls for some board members to be removed for changing rules, specifically one rule that involves the certification of election results. This all comes just months ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Janelle King, a member of the Georgia State Election Board, responds to the criticism.

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The Little 5 Points Alliance is honoring individuals and organizations who have made Little 5 Points unique, including the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, at its third annual “People Make the Place” event this weekend. We hear from Lauren Welsh, the executive director of Little 5 Points Alliance.

Dr. Charles Steele Jr., the president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, is stepping down. He talks with Rose about his decades-long career and what’s next for him and the civil rights organization.

Plus, Morgan Shaw Parker, the president and COO of the Atlanta Dream, returns to the program to talk about the team’s basketball season after the 2024 Olympics break. She also praises the continued growth of the league and the Dream’s upcoming Monday matchup against the Indiana Fever at State Farm Arena. 

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Earlier this year, Terri Lee was named the president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. Lee talks with Rose about the agency’s critical role in helping the City Of Atlanta reach its affordable housing goals. She also talks about her top priorities as the new leader of the agency and provides updates on several major developments, including the Civic Center and Summerhill Hotel.

Plus, Grant Wallace, the owner of Peace of Mind Glass Recycling, returns to “Closer Look,” to provide an update on how his business is fairing, reaching 10,000 pounds of recycled glass. He also shares details about a community event on Aug. 24 at Cabbagetown Park to mark his business milestone.

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Rose talks with Micah Herskind, an Atlanta-based writer and organizer, and Ann Hill Bond, an Atlanta-based journalist and chair of Fulton County Remembrance Coalition. The two were mentioned in a new report from The Brennan Center For Justice. Micah was listed several times in the report for his association with anti-'Cop City' movements. Bond, who was also listed, discusses the work that the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition and shares her reaction to also being monitored by APD.

Insert: The “Closer Look” team recently toured the Fulton County Jail to get an inside look at its reported poor conditions. We air a portion of Rose’s interview with Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, who says the facility should be condemned.

Plus, Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano, 27, died at Telfair State Prison after guards allegedly placed him in an outdoor concrete-floor cage without any water or shade for five hours. Wingo Smith, an attorney representing the Ramirez family, discusses concerns about the prison system's secrecy in cases like Ramirez’ and the legal actions now being taken on behalf of his family.

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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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