For many local school districts, summer break is coming to an end, and students are gearing up to return to school for the new school year. Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Morcease Beasley returns to “Closer Look” to discuss his district’s back-to-school plans.

Latisha Springer, the founder Free99Fridge, reflects on how her local mutual aid initiative has expanded to feed more families and individuals across metro Atlanta amid the pandemic. Plus, Vanessa Riley, an Atlanta-based award-winning author, discusses plans for her latest historical fiction novel, “Island Queen,”  to be adapted into a film. 

For many local school districts, summer break is coming to an end, and students are gearing up to return to school for the new school year. Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Morcease Beasley returns to “Closer Look” to discuss his district’s back-to-school plans.Latisha Springer, the founder Free99Fridge, reflects on how her local mutual aid initiative has expanded to feed more families and individuals across metro Atlanta amid the pandemic. Plus, Vanessa Riley, an Atlanta-based award-winning author, discusses plans for her latest historical fiction novel, <a href="https://vanessariley.com/islandqueen.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Island Queen,”</a> &nbsp;to be adapted into a film.

"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

Clayton County Public Schools To Host Face-To-Face Classes; Free99Fridge Continues To Provide Food Amid Pandemic; Atlanta-based Author Discusses Her New Book, “Island Queen’

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” budding entrepreneurs in the food and drink industry can apply for the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator program. Guests share how the program has empowered their businesses and the program co-director shares what they’re looking for in an applicant. The registration deadline is May 31. 


Also, college and high school students aren’t the only ones celebrating their graduation. Today we meet a group of five and six-year-olds who are excited to graduate from kindergarten. They talk about their hopes for the future, what they like about school, and share words of wisdom for the next class of kindergarteners.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; budding entrepreneurs in the food and drink industry can apply for the <a href="https://gtfba.innovate.gatech.edu/">Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator</a> program. Guests share how the program has empowered their businesses and the program co-director shares what they&rsquo;re looking for in an applicant. The <a href="https://gtfba.innovate.gatech.edu/accelerator-application/">registration deadline is May 31</a>.&nbsp;
 Also, college and high school students aren&rsquo;t the only ones celebrating their <a href="https://www.wabe.org/closer-look-graduation-series-2026/">graduation</a>. Today we meet a group of five and six-year-olds who are excited to graduate from kindergarten. They talk about their hopes for the future, what they like about school, and share words of wisdom for the next class of kindergarteners.

Registration open for food and drink entrepreneurship program; Class of 2026 Kindergarten graduates

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we have an in-depth discussion with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society about a study by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. It shows Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties lead the nation in evictions. Those evictions overwhelmingly affected Black households -- more than white, Hispanic, and other racial groups combined.

We also speak to Dr. Jodie Guest, Professor and Senior Vice Chair in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory University. The Ebola Virus is spreading quickly through central Africa and has already taken hundreds of lives. We learn more about the nature of the deadly illness and what’s being done to stop it from infecting more people.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we have an in-depth discussion with the <a href="https://atlantalegalaid.org/home/">Atlanta Legal Aid Society</a>&nbsp;about a study by Princeton University&rsquo;s Eviction Lab. It shows Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties <a href="https://evictionlab.org/in-atlanta-data-helps-reveal-the-true-face-of-the-eviction-crisis/">lead the nation in evictions</a>. Those evictions <a href="https://evictionlab.org/eviction-tracking/atlanta-ga/">overwhelmingly affected Black households</a>&nbsp;-- more than white, Hispanic, and other racial groups combined.
We also speak to <a href="https://sph.emory.edu/profile/faculty/jodie-guest">Dr. Jodie Guest</a>, Professor and Senior Vice Chair in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory University. The Ebola Virus is spreading quickly through central Africa and has already taken hundreds of lives. We learn more about the nature of the deadly illness and what&rsquo;s being done to stop it from infecting more people.

Atlanta rates the highest for eviction filings; Update on Ebola outbreak

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we learn how Cake4Kids is making sure there’s still a reason to celebrate for kids in the foster care system and youth experiencing hardships. We learn the origin of the organization and how volunteers are brightening children’s day. The nationwide nonprofit also hit a major milestone – serving their 100,000th child. 

 

We also follow up on Rodney Taylor, the 47-year-old barber from Loganville in Gwinnett County and double amputee. He caught the attention of members of Congress when they flagged that Taylor was crawling across filthy bathroom floors to shower while incarcerated in an immigration detention center. We hear from Taylor and his family now that he’s been released.

 

Also, we meet the last of our students in “Closer Look’s” annual college graduate series. We meet Brenda Washington, a member of Georgia State University’s Class of 2026. She shares her journey as a military member, mother, real estate agent, and now, an aspiring law school student and future lawyer. 

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we learn how <a href="https://www.cake4kids.org/">Cake4Kids</a> is making sure there&rsquo;s still a reason to celebrate for kids in the foster care system and youth experiencing hardships. We learn the origin of the organization and how volunteers are brightening children&rsquo;s day. The nationwide nonprofit also hit a major milestone &ndash; <a href="https://www.cake4kids.org/100000-moments">serving their 100,000th child</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We also follow up on <a href="https://www.wabe.org/family-advocates-push-for-release-as-detained-double-amputee-faces-mounting-hardships/">Rodney Taylor</a>, the 47-year-old barber from Loganville in Gwinnett County and double amputee. He caught the attention of members of Congress when they flagged that Taylor was <a href="https://www.wabe.org/legless-georgia-detainee-featured-in-congressional-hearing-that-preceded-noems-ouster/">crawling across filthy bathroom floors</a> to shower while incarcerated in an immigration detention center. We hear from Taylor and his family now that he&rsquo;s been released.
&nbsp;
Also, we meet the last of our students in &ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo; annual college graduate series. We meet <a href="https://news.gsu.edu/2026/04/21/former-combat-medic-pivots-to-new-career-in-law/">Brenda</a> Washington, a member of Georgia State University&rsquo;s Class of 2026. She shares her journey as a military member, mother, real estate agent, and now, an aspiring law school student and future lawyer.&nbsp;

Clayton County Public Schools To Host Face-To-Face Classes; Free99Fridge Continues To Provide Food Amid Pandemic; Atlanta-based Author Discusses Her New Book, “Island Queen’

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