Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is often defined as a framework that advocates for the fair treatment and full participation of all people, with a special emphasis on groups who have been historically underrepresented, marginalized and/or discriminated against. However, many initiatives and programs are under scrutiny from college campuses to corporate America. Now, some experts believe it's time to reimagine and redefine how DEI initiatives are developed and implemented. On today's Feedback...

WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to “Closer Look,” to discuss whether President-elect Donald Trump's staunch supporters from the Peach State will have a role in his new administration and review how Trump’s reelection could impact Fulton County’s election interference case. The reporters also preview the 2025 legislative session.   Plus, Basil Watson, a Georgia-based Jamaican artist and sculptor, recently sculpted the John Lewis Memorial. The 12-foot statue depicts...

Studies have dubbed Atlanta the most overvalued housing market, with homes priced 50% higher than where they should be. Georgia voters say the housing crisis is among their top issues, and there’s mostly bipartisan agreement from voters about how federal authorities should address the problem. That’s according to new research from Dr. Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland.   Rose talks with Kull and Terri Lee, the president and CEO of...

Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) offers wraparound services to people experiencing extreme poverty, substance use and mental health disorders. The nonprofit organization also responds to non-emergency calls. PAD was expecting to renew a contract with the City of Atlanta. However, the city is pulling back. Moki Macias, who serves as the executive director of PAD, returns to “Closer Look,” to talk more about the unfolding situation and the future of her organization....

President-elect Donald Trump is now preparing to take office for his second term in office. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded the 2024 presidential race but is encouraging voters to stay engaged and to continue fighting for a better America. Emory professors Dr. Pearl Dowe and Andra Gillespie return to “Closer Look,” for analysis of post-presidential election results and what exit polls reveal about specific voting blocs.   Plus, for a journalists’ roundtable, Rose talks...

Votes are still being counted, but former President Donald Trump is the projected winner of the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris. On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we open the phone lines to hear from Georgia voters. Rose is joined by GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer and Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst Fred Hicks. They provide analysis of the presidential race and several other key...

The 2024 presidential election is just one day away. What role is Georgia playing in this election? How did we get into the national spotlight? WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look,” to talk about Georgia’s growing influence on the presidential race since 2020 and what he saw on the campaign trail during this election cycle. We also hear from Republican Scott Klug, a former Wisconsin congressman. We’ll get further analysis from Atlanta-based political strategist and...

Since July, according to an Associated Press report, more than 63,000 voter registrations have been challenged in Georgia, and roughly 1% of the people called into question have been removed from the state's voting rolls. Despite the low percentage of questionable enrollees, lawsuits are reportedly still being filed to order counties to do more. Associated Press reporter Jeff Amy discusses the latest. Plus, Comcast and Inspiredu recently opened a flagship Lift Zone in Atlanta to advance...

Georgians are voting on three statewide ballot measures - all related to taxes. But the language can be confusing for many voters. Daniel Kanso, the director of legislative strategy and senior fiscal analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, returns to “Closer Look,” to explain what each of the measures mean and the potential implications of the measures if they are passed.   WABE TV’s senior producer Brianna Carr discusses her team’s latest documentary,” We Expect Nothing Less: The...

Emory University is among a short list of higher education institutions in the U.S. offering a doctoral program in African American Studies. The program accepted its first cohort of students in the fall of 2023. Dr. Kali Nicole Gross, the National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of African American Studies and the chair of African American Studies at Emory University, discusses the success of the program thus far and what distinguishes Emory’s program from other doctoral programs.  See...

According to a new report from the American Institute for Boys and Men, there are now 50,000 fewer Black men enrolled in college as compared to pre-pandemic levels. Black men currently make up 26% of the population at HBCUs, but in the 1970s they made up 38% of the population. Dr. Darryl Holloman, the vice president for student affairs at Spelman College, discusses the decline of Black male students pursuing higher education degrees. Plus, Jewel Wicker, an Atlanta-based award-winning...

America’s housing crisis is rapidly getting worse. Across the U.S., it’s estimated there’s a shortage of 4 to 7 million affordable housing units. Both renters and buyers are faced with uncertainty while navigating the unbalanced market. Renters typically need to meet stringent requirements, including making at least three times the monthly rent. Meanwhile, people wanting to purchase a home have a limited selection of housing options due to low housing inventory and high home...

In the final days of the campaign, both Democrats and Republicans have put a heavy focus on Black male voters. The Pew Research Center reports, 47% of Black men are eligible to vote in the 2024 Election. Since 1994, Black men have voted at least 80% in favor of the Democratic presidential candidate. But a new NAACP Poll finds support among Black men for this year's Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, has dropped to 63%. Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump...

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we continue our series on different voter blocs. Over the past 20 years, Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the United States. In the past four years alone, they’ve added 2 million eligible voters. Among this diverse group are diverse political opinions. Show host Rose Scott speaks with Asian Americans representing advocacy groups and both major political parties. We’ll also speak with a panel of Asian American...

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, WABE’s Rahul Bali discusses the massive voter turnout for the first week of early voting. He also highlighted the changing demographics the campaigns are considering as they court voters across the battleground state of Georgia.   Then, Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault returns to Closer Look to share her concerns about a city-appointed task force to review her office's duties. Her responsibilities include investigating allegations of...

Jessica Pishko is a journalist and lawyer. She joins “Closer Look,” to discuss her new book, "The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy."   Plus, the United Negro College Fund awards more than $ 1 million in scholarships to students of color every year. This year marks the organization’s 80th anniversary. Its theme is “Honoring the Legacy, Transforming the Future.” Justine Boyd, UNCF’s assistant vice president of regional development, talks with...

Early voting is now underway in Georgia and the 2024 presidential election is just weeks away. Tuesday, which marked the first day of early voting in the Peach State, reached record-setting voter turnout. For the October installment of “Coffee Conversations,” the “ Closer Look,” team heads to Black Coffee Atlanta in Lakewood Heights. Rose talks with panelists about the state of democracy and the importance of free, fair, and secure elections. Guests include:   Jamin Butler, the CEO and...

Early voting begins today in Georgia and runs through Nov.1. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger returns to “Closer Look,” to talk about several election-related topics, including how the state has prepared for this election cycle amid ongoing battles over state election rules, combating political misinformation and the creation of the new voter registration cancellation website. Lana Michele Moorer, better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is a hip-hop pioneering emcee, actress and...

Attorney General Chris Carr's office is appealing Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney’s ruling on Sept. 30, which found Georgia’s six-week ban on abortions unconstitutional. The Georgia Supreme Court recently reinstated Georgia’s abortion ban while it considers the state’s appeal. A.C. Coquillas, the communications manager at Feminist Women's Health Center, responds to the appeal and the court’s decision. Plus, from the start of his culinary career, award-winning Chef Sean...

According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 26 million women and girls between the ages of 15 and 50 are living with uterine fibroids in the United States. Linda Goler Blount, an epidemiologist and the president and CEO of Black Women's Health Imperative, and Tanika Gray Valbrun, the founder of The White Dress Project, discuss symptoms, treatment and why more research and policy changes are needed to examine why Black women are disproportionately affected by the condition. Plus,...

As recovery and cleanup continues in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Georgia, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm. Chris Stallings, the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, joins “Closer Look” for an update on recovery efforts and preparations as evacuees from Florida are headed to the Peach State.   Plus, the Cobb County Police Department recently added a new unit. It's called the Community...

Oct. 7 marks 1 year since Hamas attacked Israel. As the devastation and displacement continues there have been ongoing calls for a ceasefire. More than 41,000 people have died in the humanitarian crisis. Show host Rose Scott talks with three guests about the last 12 months. Guest include:   Dr. Shariq Sayeed, a Cobb County-based surgeon who recently visited Gaza   Zoughbi Alzoughbi, the founder and director of the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Centre in the West Bank   Peter Berg,...

Amanda Jones is an award-winning librarian and an anti-censorship advocate. She’s expected to speak at the Decatur Book Festival on Saturday. Ahead of her visit, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Jones. During the conversation, Jones talks about her new book, "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." The part memoir, part manifesto maps the book-banning crisis happening across the U.S. and chronicles Jones’ efforts to combat it. Plus, through the Atlanta Community School...

Helping Mamas is working to deliver 200,000 diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products to help families in South Georgia communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Jamie Lackey, the founder of the nonprofit baby supply bank, discusses details about a diaper drive drop-off event that’s happening on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at Pace Academy in Atlanta.    Plus, more than 45,000 Dockworkers from Texas up to Maine are on strike. Members of the International Longshoremen’s...