Closer Look with Rose Scott

Closer Look continues with its analysis of the Fulton County Reparations Task Force’s Harm Report. The eye-opening, over 600-page report details the harms suffered by Black people who were enslaved or lived during the Jim Crow era. Today, we’re also joined by WABE reporter DorMiya Vance for a discussion about what reparations Fulton County might owe for massacre and mass incarceration. Click here to read the full report.   Guests: Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado - Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and the Director of Public History and Historic Preservation at Morehouse College and chair of the Fulton Reparations Task Force Dr. Amanda Meng - Georgia Tech research scientist who also serves as the task force secretary and representing Fulton County District 3 Ann Hill Bond - member Task Force Research Committee John Wright - researcher WABE reporter DorMiya VanceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday marks the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth. This year, on Juneteenth, “Closer Look” hosted its annual live community event at Roosevelt Hall in the historic Atlanta University Center neighborhood. The theme of the program was We Who Remain: Black Legacy & America at 250. The conversation, led by host Rose Scott, examined how Black history is preserved, remembered and carried forward.   Guest included:   Dr. Kendra A. King Momon, professor of politics and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Oglethorpe University   Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy, researcher, scholar, author, and Provost's Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Morehouse College   Illya E. Davis, professor of philosophy, director of Freshmen & Seniors' Academic Success, director of the Morehouse Accelerated Academic Program (MAAP), and director of the Morehouse College Presidential Ambassadors  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Atlanta’s hosting of its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match, “Closer Look” host Rose Scott met with Atlanta Soccer in the Streetsexecutive director Kaseem Ladipo at the organization’s mini pitch in East Point. Ladipo discusses the history and mission of Soccer in the Streets, efforts to elevate street soccer on a global scale, and how the organization is preparing local youth to participate in the world’s biggest sporting event.   Plus, the Otis Redding Center for the Arts recently celebrated its first anniversary. The Macon-based creative hub continues the philanthropic legacy of legendary soul singer Otis Redding. “Closer Look” producer LaShawn Hudson recently toured the facility and spoke with Otis Redding Foundation leaders Zelma Redding and Karla Redding-Andrews, as well as Otis Redding Foundation All-Star Sara Mazanec. They discussed the center’s signature summer camps and year-round music education and arts programming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we meet 18-year-old Noah Marbach. After injuries sidelined him from playing soccer, the Cobb County high school student began building software that would become his business. He was inspired to create XShift AI after working in a restaurant and as a lifeguard, and seeing his managers struggling with scheduling their employees. Learn more about his young life as a business owner who is about to start college at the University of Mississippi.   Then, we continue our college graduate series with an honors student from Kennesaw State University, who has pursued many ambitious endeavors. Deontae Nelson is a military veteran and a first-generation college graduate. He has experience as a choreographer, performer, teacher, and researcher. Hear what inspired him to graduate from KSU with a bachelor's degree in modern dance and what he hopes to accomplish next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” just as emergency room visits for child overdoses seeing a slight increase in Georgia, Emory University is expanding its adolescent addiction care. We speak with Dr. Joe Mathias, an addiction psychiatrist and an associate medical education director for the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, about how they’re assisting kids who are struggling with substance use disorder.   Then, we speak with Lamar Stewart, the Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. With less than a month before thousands of international visitors roam the city streets for a series of eight match ups, Stewart shares how the city is preparing local businesses to take advantage of the boost in foot traffic and how Atlanta will keep World Cup fans entertained.   And finally, our graduation series continues with Kathy from Freedom University. She faced many challenges as an undocumented student – with no access to in-state tuition or admission to the top state public schools. However, Kathy remained ambitious and graduated from Freedom University, majoring in psychology and public health. Hear the next goals she’s setting for herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an interview with Closer Look host Rose Scott, Jean Douglass, CEO of the DeKalb County–based Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, marks her nonprofit’s 40th anniversary, shares the origin of the organization and the assistance they’ve provided. She also shares why they’re changing the name to, In Safe Company.   Then, Avanti Moore is the latest graduate to join Closer Look for our graduation series. She shares her challenges, as well as her accomplishments as a campus leader, and how she persevered to graduate from Georgia Gwinnett College.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, Atlanta Braves Legend Bobby Cox passed away at the age of 84. In the 1990s, he led a dominant team that won the World Series in 1995. Atlanta‑based, award‑winning sports journalist Sam Crenshaw joined Closer Look to discuss the mark Cox left on the team and his legacy. Plus, for “Closer Look’s” annual graduation series, we hear from Faith Shamley. The graduating senior, majoring in organizational management and leadership, is making history twice. Not only is she Morris Brown College's 2026 valedictorian. She's also part of what the Atlanta-based HBCU calls its “Restoration Class." She discusses her academic journey and plans to attend  Columbia University after graduation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.