Closer Look with Rose Scott

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” data reveals Georgia is among the top five states with the most immigration detainees, with more than 4,500 people in custody. That number grew by 90% since President Trump returned to the White House. Witnesses and members of Congress, such as Georgia Representative Nikema Williams, describe these facilities as “cruel” and “inhumane.” A trio of human and civil rights groups want more answers about an alleged proposal to add another immigration facility in Georgia and details about what’s occurring in the Atlanta ICE Field Office. We learn more in a federal lawsuit fronted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, the ACLU of Georgia, and Project South.

Also, Georgia voters are 50 days away from the start of early voting for the midterm elections. There are several new developments on the campaign trail. Our political panel looks at the latest polling and discusses an exchange between gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson. They also provide analysis on the U.S. Senate race between Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins. Finally

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It’s the first day of a new school year for Spelman College students and that includes a new president,  Dr. Ayanna Howard. The self-described servant leader is the Atlanta based HBCU’s 12th president. She brings her NASA background and experience with tech and science to the role at a time when AI is changing our world and workforce. In an on-campus interview with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott, Dr. Howard says she finds it odd to still be the only woman of color in rooms where important decisions are being made. She calls it her mission and calling to lead Spelman College students to be in those rooms in a world where opportunities are disappearing around Black women. Dr. Howard shares more of her background, passion, and how she’ll lead Spelman College to prepare students for a world that will look different when they graduate.

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In 2025, more than 300,000 Black women reportedly left or were let go from their jobs within the first few months of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Many of those jobs were cut as the Trump Administration downsized the federal workforce. Now, a year after Closer Look’s special programming on this topic, we revisit the issue again with an update on Black unemployment numbers, which remain higher than all other racial groups. This, despite President Trump falsely claiming Black unemployment is at an “historic low.” We also discuss solutions and resources to help Black Americans who are trying to find their next employment opportunity.

Guests Include:

Dr. David McMillon, assistant professor and economist with Emory University

Nancy Flake Johnson, CEO & president of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta

John Moye, senior director of legislative policy, social justice and civic engagement with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta

Milton Jones, Jr., chairman of the board for 100 Black Men of America

Sherry Sims, career and leadership strategist and founder of Black Career Women’s Network

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On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we catch up with NPR Congressional Reporter and WABE alum Sam Gringlas. He’s currently following Democratic Incumbent Jon Ossoff and his effort to reclaim his U.S. Senate seat this November. Polling data currently has Ossoff leading his Republican opponent, Mike Collins, but there are still several miles on the campaign trail until the midterm election. Gringlas shares his firsthand look at how voters are reacting during Senator Ossoff’s campaign stops.

Atlanta is widely known as the city in a forest, but that forest is depleting. Of the city’s more than 84,000 acres, almost 40,000 acres are covered by its tree canopy. However, that latest assessment by Georgia Tech shows Atlanta has lost a quarter of an acre of trees every day between 2008 and 2023. The city had a goal of reaching 50% canopy coverage, but Atlanta moved further away from that goal in the latest assessment, now dropping to 45.7% tree coverage. Officials from Trees Atlanta and Georgia Tech provide more details on the data, and what’s leading to the disappearing canopy.

With the concern of mainstream AI systems disseminating misinformation, a new artificial intelligence platform is promising to provide accurate information. AiSHA pulls its information from Black History, culture, and trusted journalism sources to avoid biases. We speak to the founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, Esosa Osa, about how her new AI assistant and chatbot will provide something different, including most sustainability friendly usage.

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A new report from Virginia State University reveals disparities related to education level, employment and household wealth for Black men and boys in America. On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” Dr. Wes Bellamy joins us to examine the findings and hear solutions to closing these economic related gaps. Bellamy is the executive director of the John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership and an associate professor of political science and public administration at VSU.

Also, the midterm elections are fast approaching, and the Brennan Center for Justice is closely monitoring potential changes impacting the nation's election systems. Wendy Weiser, the Brennan Center’s vice president for democracy, says this is due to the Trump Administration's messaging regarding sending ICE and other federal agents to polling sites to monitor and possibly intimidate voters. On today’s show, Weiser reveals the laws and safeguards that are in place to prevent unlawful disruptions, and shares what citizens should do to protect their right to vote.  

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On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we learn how the Savannah-based nonprofit, Deep Center, is helping youth find their voice through writing. We hear from the Director of Youth Literacy and a Writing Fellow about their Young Author Project – how their work is improving literacy rates and inspire a younger generation to become published authors. Plus, they’re putting a call out for creative mentors.

We also speak with Kathleen Bertrand, Executive Producer of the BronzeLens Film Festival. Since 2010, the festival has served as a platform for filmmakers of color, showcasing cinematic talent not only from Atlanta but from across the globe. Now an OSCAR-qualifying festival in the short film category, BronzeLens returns over two weekends in late August, offering industry education opportunities and celebrating standout independent projects from around the world.

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On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” with about two months until early voting begins, we update the latest on the race to the November midterm election. We examine how top-of-the-ticket races can help or hurt down-ballot candidates. And those down-ballot candidates are stretching their campaign funds to get as much attention as they can. We also learn how the summer months are for candidates to test their messaging, but after Labor Day, campaigns kick into high gear. WABE Politics Reporter Rahul Bali and Atlanta based campaign strategist and demographer Fred Hicks contribute to the conversation.

In the late 1980’s, after the Blaxploitation era had ended, “Riverbend” emerged briefly before being pulled from circulation for its perceived controversy. Shot in Georgia, and featuring Steve James and Margaret Avery, the film tells the story of three Vietnam soldiers after they escape a corrupt military prosecution and enter a small Georgia town, which is under the grip of a racist sheriff. They join Black residents in a fight for protection and self-determination. Today, the footage and sound have been digitally restored, and the film is receiving renewed interest. “Riverbend” will have its Atlanta premiere at the Plaza Theatre at 6pm EST on Saturday, August 15. To discuss the film’s revival, we’re joined by award-winning actress Margaret Avery and Michael Dennis, the founder or Reel Black Renaissance, and Restoration Executive Producer for "Riverbend."

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The current war against Iran started when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against targeted military and government regions in Iran. To which, part of Iran's retaliation included blocking the Strait of Hormuz. In February, President Donald Trump said the war in Iran would be swift, and on several occasions, the administration has declared the war a success. But months later, the war persists and America’s gas prices have risen to an average over $4. It’s a conflict that goes back decades – and at one point, the United States and Iran were even allies. On today’s Feedback Friday edition of “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we ask our listeners: Should the U.S. withdraw from the war in Iran or is there a solution that could end it? We’re joined by experts from Georgia Tech and Emory University to discuss the United States war strategy and challenges within international laws of armed conflict. We also look back on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 and examine its success as to the promise of total global disarmament.

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The very public disagreement between the Atlanta Mayor’s office and the Fulton County Commission continues. Last week Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sent the commission a letter regarding a recent majority vote to "commit approximately $1.3 billion" toward a new Fulton County Jail. The harshly worded letter to the board threatened to end an agreement in which 700 detainees were housed at the Atlanta City Detention Center and is also calling for the board to be more responsive and collaborative towards the city's Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative. On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we hear from Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett. She believes the county should find a way to work with Mayor Dickens but thinks his letter does not tell the full story.  

Then, we meet a nonprofit that’s attempting to help immigrants amid the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement. Of the 169 million people in the American workforce, more than 32 million are immigrants -- more than 8 million of which are undocumented. Many of those workers have become the target of the Trump Administration's aggressive immigration enforcement. Still, as the U.S. Constitution states, they have fundamental rights within the United States, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The Sur Legal Collaborative has made it their mission to defend immigrant workers and make sure they know their rights.

Chamblee is the latest city in Georgia to pause new data center developments. The northern DeKalb County city has adopted a 180-day moratorium that halts the acceptance of any related applications. Jimmy Furst, Chamblee At-Large Councilmember, joins the show and shares the “major concerns” Chamblee residents have about data centers and the proactive approach city lawmakers are taking. He shares how their fast-growing urban community can’t afford the massive water consumption, heat, and noise that data centers produce and they need to further understand their impact before accepting any applications.

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On this edition of “Closer Look,” we revisit our segment on researchers at Georgia State University who reviewed more than 250,000 property records in the City of Atlanta. Among their findings, rental properties in historically Black, lower-income neighborhoods are mostly locally owned and for landlords in whiter, more affluent neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the landlords who own rentals in these neighborhoods largely live outside of the region and even outside the state of Georgia. What does this reveal about the city's divide in property values and who is benefiting from this divide? We'll take a deeper dive in the study with the co-authors.

Rev., Dr. C.T. Vivian was a civil rights champion and a man whose lifelong work was heavily connected to his faith. And it was also consistent in his sermons. Now comes a new book: ‘Your Soul Is Required: The Theology and Sermons of C.T. Vivian', a collection of sermons that are a reminder of what Vivian stood for and as why he's placed among the impactful figures of the civil rights. ‘Your Soul Is Required: The Theology and Sermons of C.T. Vivian' compiles Vivian's wisdom alongside commentaries written by contemporary scholars and preachers to explore the depth of his theology. 

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