Across the nation and right here in Georgia, educators are working to address lingering learning gaps that predate the pandemic. Those literacy gaps are especially concerning among Atlanta’s Black and Brown students. According to a 2024 report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 21% of local Black third graders and 34% of local Latino third graders read at a proficient level.  For the February installment of “Coffee Conversations,” the “Closer Look” team returns to The Ke’nekt Cooperative in the Westview neighborhood. Rose talks with guests about efforts to close Georgia’s reading gap through community-based literacy programs. Selected guests also read from their favorite children's books.

Guests include: 

Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of The Ke’nekt Cooperative

Lyric Eschoe, daughter of Kiyomi Rollins

Dr. Enkeshi El-Amin, the owner of A Small Place Bookshop

FeFe Handy, the founder and executive director of Page Turners Make Great Learners

Cindy Jaret, president of Children Read

WABE Southside reporter DorMiya Vance

“Closer Look” producer LaShawn Hudson

Karen Good Marable, the author of the children’s book “Yaya and the Sea”

Elisabeth Jackson, author and illustrator of “Why Does The Cheshire Cat Grin?”