On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott: Over the weekend, a reported 3 million people in the U.S., and even some abroad, joined more than 1,200 demonstrations to protest the Trump administration’s wave of executive orders and other policies. Organizers for the Atlanta Hands Off! protest, Laura Judge, a communications official with Hands Off! and Indivisible North Metro Atlanta, and John Morris, the secretary and treasurer for 50501 Georgia, Inc., talk more about the protest, the unifying message they want to send and what’s next.

Also, as the Atlanta baseball season gets underway, the local fan club Bravest ATL is renewing its push for the Atlanta Braves to change its name and branding. Brothers and Bravest ATL founders Marty and Chris Buccafusco talk more about their mission.

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The 2025 Georgia legislative session has come to an end.  Hundreds of debated bills await Governor Brian Kemp’s signature, while many more missed out on a vote. That includes a stack of controversial Senate priorities that went unpassed by the House. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to ‘Closer Look,’ to discuss the state budget, the themes they noticed this legislative session and some of the most talked about bills this session. Some of the measures they discussed involved school safety, restrictions on puberty blockers for minors, and efforts to reduce civil litigation, also known as tort reform.

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On this day, 57 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while standing on the balcony of his motel room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Friday’s special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott" focuses on the life and legacy of King, specifically his efforts to lead with courage and integrity and to inspire others to be moral leaders. We revisit Rose’s conversations with the now-late Memphis attorney Michael W. Cody and Dr. Robert Michael Franklin Jr., an author, theologian and Emory University’s James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership.

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Sine Dine is fast approaching as the 2025 Georgia legislative session nears an end. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to ‘Closer Look,’ to discuss the status of some of the most talked about bills.

Plus, with more corporations turning away from diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the NAACP is empowering Black consumers to shop with companies that value their dollars and their rights. Gerald Griggs, the president of the NAACP Georgia State Conference, discusses the newly launched Black Consumer Advisory.

Lastly, we continue our two-part series looking at the benefits and the harm of using AI in the job hiring process. Data suggests by the end of the year, nearly 70% of businesses are expected to use AI for reviewing resumes, rejecting candidates or even conducting entire interviews. Hilke Schellmann, an investigative journalist and professor at New York University, is the author of the book, "The Algorithm."  Schellemann says AI has invaded the workplace, calling the evolving phenomenon "the next civil rights issue of our time.” Previously, Rose talked with Dan Beck, the president and chief product officer at SAP SuccessFactors, about what he says are some of the pros of AI being used in the workplace.

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Mableton Mayor Michael Owens is approaching the two-year mark into his term as leader of the largest city in Cobb County. Mayor Owens returns to “Closer Look,” to talk more about how the relatively new city is fairing and his top priorities. He also shares details about how city leaders are addressing urban development, affordable housing, education and more.

Plus, the White House has announced plans to cut more than 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, many of whom are veterans themselves. The cuts would come to an already reportedly understaffed VA System, adding to concerns about slower access to healthcare for veterans. Kyle Bibby, the co-CEO of the Black Veterans Project, and Lindsay Church, the executive director of Minority Veterans of America, respond to the potential cuts, the Pentagon purge of archives that documented diversity in the military, as well as the recent national security mishap when plans for an upcoming military strike in Yemen were shared with a journalist using Signal.

Lastly, Wednesday marks what would have been soul singer Marvin Gaye’s 86th birthday. In celebration of his life and legacy, his sister Zeola Gaye and the Elite Success Talent Group have put together the musical production “The Evolution of My Brother Marvin Tribute.” The show will be at The Buckhead Theatre on Thursday, April 3. Rose talks with Zeola Gaye and Chae Stephen, who portrays the timeless artist. They talk more about the production and discuss their efforts to preserve Marvin’s legacy by ensuring that his music continues to inspire generations.

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently appointed Judge LaDawn Blackett to be Atlanta's interim inspector general. Her appointment comes in the aftermath of Shannon Manigault’s resignation over alleged interference and harassment. Interim IG Blackett joins “Closer Look” to discuss leading the OIG and her top priorities while assigned to lead the office.

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Night of Ideas Atlanta is an annual event that fosters late-night discussions geared toward addressing specific global issues. This year, WABE partnered with Villa Albertine, the Goat Farm Arts Center and Night of Ideas Atlanta to host the event, which featured live music, art and several panel discussions. The theme of this year’s program, which took place on March 29, was common ground. Rose Scott served as the moderator. Today, we will air the opening panel discussion. Rose asked panelists this question: To what extent is Atlanta a common ground for the different communities that call it home?

Guests included:

Illya Davis, a professor of philosophy at Morehouse College and the director of Freshmen and Seniors' Academic Success Programs 

Writer and publisher Walid Hajar Rachedi

TEDxAtlanta organizer Jacqui Chew

Gigi Pedraza, the executive director and founder of the Latino Community Fund Georgia

Saba Long, the executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle

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According to the latest data from Giving USA, charitable giving reached $557.16 billion in the U.S. in 2023. As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, younger generations of Americans will soon be the beneficiaries of what is called the “Great Wealth Transfer.” This will position Gen X, millennials and Gen Z at the forefront of our nation’s charitable giving. For the March installment of “Coffee Conversations” the “Closer Look” team heads to Dancing Goats in Midtown. Rose talks with local nonprofit leaders about the future of NexGen philanthropy and their efforts to attract new donors to non-traditional causes.

Guests include:

Aaron Shively, the vice president of operations at Dancing Goats Coffee

Raphael Lewis, the general manager of Dancing Goats Coffee Midtown

Fay Twersky, the president of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Tim Bresnahan, the vice president of advancement & philanthropic services at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Karen Beavor, the president and CEO of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits

Che Watkins, the executive director for Braven-Atlanta  

Rodney Bullard, the founder and CEO of the Same House

Hope Wollensack, the executive director of Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund

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The book, "It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism," explores the economic challenges Gen Z and millennials are facing in the current economy while offering up possible solutions from labor leaders, economists and more. Author Malaika Jabali, who is an attorney, activist, and the senior news and politics editor at Essence Magazine, talks about the inspiration behind her book and her research on capitalism.

Ayoka Chenzira is a veteran transmedia storyteller. She is an award-winning filmmaker, television director and digital media artist. As a pioneer in Black independent cinema, she is credited with being one of the first Black women to write, produce and direct a 35-millimeter feature film. She joins “Closer Look” for our Women's History Month series, "Piloting the Journey."  Chenzira talks more about how she has used imagination, creativity and innovation across multiple platforms.

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The new book,  "There Is No Place For Us" features the stories of five Atlanta families struggling to find and keep safe, stable housing. These working families represent the country's "hidden homeless," people who sleep in cars or extended-stay motels but aren't tracked by government homelessness counts. Atlanta-based journalist Brian Goldstone, who authored the book, talks more about his book and Atlanta’s growing homelessness crisis.

Nannie Helen Burroughs was an educator, a suffragist and a Black labor activist. Her life’s story and legacy are the focus of the new book, “Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Tower of Strength in the Labor World.” The book's author, Dr. Danielle Phillips-Cunningham, is an associate professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers University. She joins “Closer Look” to talk more about her book and Burroughs’ fight for the education and upward career mobility of Black women.

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