Beyond democratic freedoms, what factors into how Black Americans thrive socially and economically? It’s a theme that’s explored in the new book, “BLACK POWER SCORECARD: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It.” The book’s author, Professor Andre M. Perry is a nationally recognized expert on race, structural inequality, economic inclusion, and education. In his book, he studies the life expectancy for Black Americans across multiple cities. He also rates their power based on quality and access to property, business, wealth, education, health, and social mobility. Perry talks more about how each of these factors are linked to the social and economic power of Black People.

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Georgia-based Appen Media and Decaturish.com have launched a new print edition, Decaturish Ink. Dan Whisenhunt, the founder and editor of the online community news outlet, talked more about the new print component. He also shared details about the publication’s goals of providing deeper, more narrative-driven content that seeks to capture the spirit and unique voices of Decatur and surrounding areas like Avondale Estates, Clarkston, Tucker, Chamblee, Kirkwood and Stone Mountain.

Plus, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), recognizes April as Fair Housing Month. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination. Richard Rothstein, a housing scholar and author of 'The Color of Law' and co-author of 'Just Action,' returns to “Closer Look” to assess the Trump administration’s housing policy and the historical context of unequal housing practices in the U.S.

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On today’s special edition of Closer Look with Rose Scott, we’re joined by a roundtable of former employees of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since taking office for a second time, the Trump Administration has reportedly committed to cutting 10,000 federal employees from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The mass layoffs began April 1st, with a projected reduction of 2,400 workers at the CDC. That’s about 18% of the staff, reportedly impacting some of the agency’s vital research and health provisions. Today, we ask our panel of professionals about the mass layoffs and how it could impact the work of the CDC and your health.

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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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