Cheneé Joseph, who serves as the CEO and president of the Historic Development District Corporation, discusses the progress of several revitalization projects, including Front Porch on Auburn and Henderson Place. 

 

Plus, Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger discusses the actions his office is taking to ensure a fair, accurate and safe election this November. He also discusses voter turnout during the Georgia primary and what caused the state’s My Voter Page to stop working as people headed to the polls.

Cheneé Joseph, who serves as the CEO and president of the <a href="https://www.hddc.org/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Historic Development District Corporation</a>, discusses the progress of several <a href="https://www.hddc.org/our-projects" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">revitalization projects</a>, including Front Porch on Auburn and Henderson Place. &nbsp;Plus, <a href="https://sos.ga.gov/page/about-secretary-raffensperger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Georgia’s Secretary of State&nbsp;Brad Raffensperger </a>discusses the actions his office is taking to ensure a fair, accurate and safe election this November. He also discusses <a href="https://sos.ga.gov/news/raffenspergers-poll-pad-upgrades-garvis-lead-smooth-may-general-primary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">voter turnout during the Georgia primary</a> and what caused the state’s My Voter Page to stop working as people headed to the polls.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

Auburn Ave. revitalization project progressing; Raffensperger prepares GA for presidential election

Student success is directly linked to literacy. According to the latest data from the Georgia Council on Literacy, 62% of third-graders are not reading on grade level. The findings come as state lawmakers consider the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, which aims to improve literacy through several approaches and strategies. 

“Closer Look’s” February installment of “Coffee Conversations was held at The Ke'next Cooperative located in the Westview neighborhood. Host Rose Scott talked with several guests, including children’s book authors. They discussed community-center resources and programs geared toward improving literacy rates in Georgia and read excerpts from children’s books. Guests included:

 

Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of The Ke’nekt Cooperative

Gayle Hunter Holloman, the executive director of Fulton County Library System

Caroline Ahmann, owner of the Beloved Books Bookmobile

Dr. Nicola Chin, a pediatrician at Morehouse Healthcare and a Reach Out and Read Clinician

Alex Ryan, the founder of Alex in Wonderland, LLC, and the author and creator of “Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money” 

Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel, an educator, speaker and author of the book “Go Forth and Tell”

Shelly Anand, an author of “Laxmi’s Mooch”

Reem Faruqi, an award-winning author of “Lailah's Lunchbox”

Student success is directly linked to literacy. According to the latest data from the Georgia Council on Literacy, 62% of third-graders are not reading on grade level. The findings come as state lawmakers consider the<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72842"> Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026</a>, which aims to improve literacy through several approaches and strategies.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo; February installment of &ldquo;Coffee Conversations was held at<a href="https://www.thekenekt.com/"> The Ke'next Cooperative</a> located in the Westview neighborhood. Host Rose Scott talked with several guests, including children&rsquo;s book authors. They discussed community-center resources and programs geared toward improving literacy rates in Georgia and read excerpts from children&rsquo;s books. Guests included:
&nbsp;
Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of<a href="https://www.thekenekt.com/"> The Ke&rsquo;nekt Cooperative</a>
<a href="https://www.fulcolibrary.org/meet-our-team/">Gayle Hunter Holloman</a>, the executive director of Fulton County Library System
Caroline Ahmann, owner of the<a href="https://www.belovedbooksbookmobile.org/"> Beloved Books Bookmobile</a>
<a href="https://www.msm.edu/about_us/FacultyDirectory/Pediatrics/NicolaChin/index.php">Dr. Nicola Chin</a>, a pediatrician at Morehouse Healthcare and a Reach Out and Read Clinician
Alex Ryan, the founder of Alex in Wonderland, LLC, and the author and creator of &ldquo;<a href="https://theatlantavoice.com/teach-kids-value-money/">Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.breannajmcdaniel.com/">Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel</a>, an educator, speaker and author of the book &ldquo;Go Forth and Tell&rdquo;
<a href="https://www.shellyanand.com/about">Shelly Anand</a>, an author of &ldquo;Laxmi&rsquo;s Mooch&rdquo;
<a href="https://reemfaruqi.com/about/">Reem Faruqi</a>, an award-winning author of &ldquo;Lailah's Lunchbox&rdquo;

Coffee Conversations: How local community leaders are responding to Georgia’s literacy gap

Student success is directly linked to literacy. According to the latest data from the Georgia Council on Literacy, 62% of third-graders are not reading on grade level. The findings come as state lawmakers consider the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, which aims to improve literacy through several approaches and strategies. 

“Closer Look’s” February installment of “Coffee Conversations was held at  The Ke’nekt Cooperative, located in the Westview neighborhood. Host Rose Scott talked with several guests, including children’s book authors. They discussed community-center resources and programs geared toward improving literacy rates in Georgia and read excerpts from children’s books. Guests included:

 

Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of The Ke’nekt Cooperative

Gayle Hunter Holloman, the executive director of Fulton County Library System

Caroline Ahmann, owner of the Beloved Books Bookmobile

Allyson Eads, a community engagement librarian for the Cobb County Public Library System

Dr. Nicola Chin, a pediatrician at Morehouse Healthcare and a Reach Out and Read Clinician

Alex Ryan, the founder of Alex in Wonderland, LLC, and the author and creator of “Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money” 

Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel, an educator, speaker and author of the book “Go Forth and Tell”

Shelly Anand, an author of “Laxmi’s Mooch”

Reem Faruqi, an award-winning author of “Lailah's Lunchbox”

Student success is directly linked to literacy. According to the latest data from the Georgia Council on Literacy, 62% of third-graders are not reading on grade level. The findings come as state lawmakers consider the<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72842"> Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026</a>, which aims to improve literacy through several approaches and strategies.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo; February installment of &ldquo;Coffee Conversations was held at <a href="https://www.thekenekt.com/">&nbsp;The Ke&rsquo;nekt Cooperative</a>, located in the Westview neighborhood. Host Rose Scott talked with several guests, including children&rsquo;s book authors. They discussed community-center resources and programs geared toward improving literacy rates in Georgia and read excerpts from children&rsquo;s books. Guests included:
&nbsp;
Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of<a href="https://www.thekenekt.com/"> The Ke&rsquo;nekt Cooperative</a>
<a href="https://www.fulcolibrary.org/meet-our-team/">Gayle Hunter Holloman</a>, the executive director of Fulton County Library System
Caroline Ahmann, owner of the<a href="https://www.belovedbooksbookmobile.org/"> Beloved Books Bookmobile</a>
<a href="https://georgialibraryassociation.org/Georgia-Library-Spotlight/13563037">Allyson Eads</a>, a community engagement librarian for the Cobb County Public Library System
<a href="https://www.msm.edu/about_us/FacultyDirectory/Pediatrics/NicolaChin/index.php">Dr. Nicola Chin</a>, a pediatrician at Morehouse Healthcare and a Reach Out and Read Clinician
Alex Ryan, the founder of Alex in Wonderland, LLC, and the author and creator of &ldquo;<a href="https://theatlantavoice.com/teach-kids-value-money/">Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.breannajmcdaniel.com/">Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel</a>, an educator, speaker and author of the book &ldquo;Go Forth and Tell&rdquo;
<a href="https://www.shellyanand.com/about">Shelly Anand</a>, an author of &ldquo;Laxmi&rsquo;s Mooch&rdquo;
<a href="https://reemfaruqi.com/about/">Reem Faruqi</a>, an award-winning author of &ldquo;Lailah's Lunchbox&rdquo;

Atlanta City Councilmember Wayne Martin says there are plenty of nights when he still thinks about what it felt like to go from homelessness to finally having a place to call home. He remembers lying down at night and thinking about all the different beds he slept in as a child, including the time his family lived in hotels before entering a shelter. That lived experience, he says, has shaped every job he’s held and ultimately pushed him to run for office, and now work as a councilmember. On today’s Closer Look, Martin shares what issues he wants to address as the representative for District 11.

Carrollton, Georgia, is quite different from the city of Atlanta, but for newly elected Atlanta councilmember Thomas Worthy, moving from his small southern hometown to Georgia’s capital was pivotal. “I think I am an absolute beneficiary of the opportunity that this city offers.” Worthy calls Atlanta an opportunity machine and says it’s one of the reasons he wanted to serve the city that has given so much to his career and has been a great place for him and his wife and to raise their three children. Worthy represents District 7, which consists mostly of north Atlanta. His main priorities include a check on “basic blocking and tackling” of city services, which include infrastructure and zoning issues. Worthy explained more about what he’s focusing on for his constituents on today’s Closer Look.

Atlanta City Councilmember <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/wayne-martin">Wayne Martin</a> says there are plenty of nights when he still thinks about what it felt like to go from homelessness to finally having a place to call home. He remembers lying down at night and thinking about all the different beds he slept in as a child, including the time his family lived in hotels before entering a shelter. That lived experience, he says, has shaped every job he&rsquo;s held and ultimately pushed him to run for office, and now work as a councilmember. On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>, Martin shares what issues he wants to address as the representative for District 11.
Carrollton, Georgia, is quite different from the city of Atlanta, but for newly elected Atlanta councilmember <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/thomas-worthy">Thomas Worthy</a>, moving from his small southern hometown to Georgia&rsquo;s capital was pivotal. &ldquo;I think I am an absolute beneficiary of the opportunity that this city offers.&rdquo; Worthy calls Atlanta an opportunity machine and says it&rsquo;s one of the reasons he wanted to serve the city that has given so much to his career and has been a great place for him and his wife and to raise their three children. Worthy represents District 7, which consists mostly of north Atlanta. His main priorities include a check on &ldquo;basic blocking and tackling&rdquo; of city services, which include infrastructure and zoning issues. Worthy explained more about what he&rsquo;s focusing on for his constituents on today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>.

Auburn Ave. revitalization project progressing; Raffensperger prepares GA for presidential election

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