Historian and researcher Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado has developed a theorem she describes as a starting point for translating the harm of slavery into monetary value.  Sims-Alvarado, an assistant professor of Africana Studies and the Director of Public History and the chair of the Fulton County Reparations Task Force, plus Dr. Amanda Meng, the secretary of the task force and a Georgia Tech professor, led the research effort that culminated in a 650-page Harm Report. The professors discussed their findings in detail on today's "Closer Look with Rose Scott."

Historian and researcher <a href="https://morehouse.edu/directory/karcheik-sims-alvarado">Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado</a> has developed a theorem she describes as a starting point for translating the harm of slavery into monetary value.&nbsp; Sims-Alvarado, an assistant professor of Africana Studies and the Director of Public History and the chair of the <a href="https://fultoncountyga.gov/reparationstaskforce">Fulton County Reparations Task Force</a>, plus <a href="https://www.cc.gatech.edu/people/amanda-meng-0">Dr. Amanda Meng</a>, the secretary of the task force and a Georgia Tech professor, led the research effort that culminated in a 650-page Harm Report. The professors discussed their findings in detail on today's "<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>."

"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

New report estimates 12 years of slave labor in Fulton County at $375 million in today's dollars

Donovan Head, who serves as the executive director of theState Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, is clearing up some misconceptions about charter schools, as he sees it. He says charter schools are free, public schools that are required to adhere to federal and state educational standards. He joined “Closer Look” to explain the process of how charter schools are developed.

Show host Rose Scott was also joined by Dr. Jameson Brewer from the University of North Georgia and Dr. Carrie Sampson, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University. They shared their critiques of the current charter school system and offered ways it could further benefit students and their families.

<a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/iKokCG6JB9cDNj6SKfgHBk64N?domain=scsc.georgia.gov">Donovan Head</a>, who serves as the executive director of the<a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/PjK6CJ6M0Pc6W0VcGh1HyZ8F2?domain=scsc.georgia.gov"> </a><a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/KcwwCKrNJ6TXy36T3iZH5s6N8?domain=scsc.georgia.gov/">State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia</a>, is clearing up some misconceptions about charter schools, as he sees it. He says charter schools are free, public schools that are required to adhere to federal and state educational standards. He joined &ldquo;<a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/a94HCL9OKPTGDE7umsYHy7htu?domain=wabe.org/">Closer Look</a>&rdquo; to explain the process of how charter schools are developed.
Show host Rose Scott was also joined by <a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/O0E5CM8PL9hwyE7TQt4H8a7_r?domain=ung.edu">Dr. Jameson Brewer</a>&nbsp;from the University of North Georgia and <a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/76E5CNkgM8fOqvzc0uKHyj7dN?domain=search.asu.edu">Dr. Carrie Sampson</a>, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University. They shared their critiques of the current charter school system and offered ways it could further benefit students and their families.

National School Choice Week: Georgia’s Charter Schools

From Friday through Monday, the storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is expected to impact millions of people across the U.S. in more than 30 states, including Georgia. To prepare, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for Georgia on Thursday morning. On today’s “Closer Look,” we speak with local officials about how they’re bracing the state for the storm.

Also on today’s show, an official with the ACLU of Louisiana says agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement endangered the life of a pregnant woman who was deported to Colombia while allegedly in medical distress. Nora Ahmed, the Legal Director at the ACLU of Louisiana, tells Host Rose Scott about 21-year-old Daniela Buitrago, who came to the U.S. in November 2025 with her family, to flee persecution in Colombia. However, she was just flown back to her home country from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while reportedly experiencing severe pain.

From Friday through Monday, the storm, dubbed<a href="https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2026-01-21-winter-storm-fern-ice-snow-forecast-south-northeast-midwest"> Winter Storm Fern</a>, is expected to<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-weekend-storm-e82e152fea39809180714137d7aa56a4"> impact millions of people</a> across the U.S. in more than 30 states, including Georgia. To prepare, Gov. Brian Kemp<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQWE8cSgDUs"> declared a state of emergency</a> for Georgia on Thursday morning. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; we speak with local officials about how they&rsquo;re bracing the state for the storm.
Also on today&rsquo;s show, an official with the <a href="https://www.laaclu.org/">ACLU of Louisiana</a> says agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement endangered the life of a pregnant woman who was deported to Colombia while allegedly in medical distress. Nora Ahmed, the Legal Director at the ACLU of Louisiana, tells Host Rose Scott about 21-year-old Daniela Buitrago, who came to the U.S. in November 2025 with her family, to flee persecution in Colombia. However, she was just flown back to her home country from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while reportedly experiencing severe pain.

Georgia prepares for Winter Storm Fern; ICE deports “medically distressed” pregnant woman from Atlanta airport

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” an open records request by Atlanta Journal-Constitution Transportation Reporter Sara Gregory revealed a “secret vote” that was not known to the public and members of the Atlanta City Council. What she discovered was a May 2025 vote by officials from MARTA, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and the City of Atlanta to halt light rail construction on Atlanta's Eastside Beltline. Gregory joins the show to share how she learned of the vote. 

Also on the program, we’re joined by the new mayor of South Fulton, Carmalitha Gumbs. She shares her priorities for the first year of her administration, which includes economic development and searching for a new police chief. 

Finally, we speak with the leaders of Food Well Alliance, a nonprofit that helps connect local growers with area communities, to support them socially, economically, and environmentally. Executive Director Kate Conner and Sarah Brown, Senior Manager of Policy and Planning join the program to share the latest local Food System Plan award recipients.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; an open records request by Atlanta Journal-Constitution Transportation Reporter <a href="https://www.ajc.com/staff/sara-gregory/">Sara Gregory</a> revealed a &ldquo;secret vote&rdquo; that was not known to the public and members of the Atlanta City Council. What she discovered was a May 2025 vote by officials from MARTA, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., and the City of Atlanta to <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/01/eastside-beltline-light-rail-work-secretly-halted-last-year/">halt light rail construction on Atlanta's Eastside Beltline</a>. Gregory joins the show to share how she learned of the vote.&nbsp;
Also on the program, we&rsquo;re joined by the new mayor of South Fulton, <a href="https://www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/3257/Carmalitha-Gumbs">Carmalitha Gumbs</a>. She shares her priorities for the first year of her administration, which includes economic development and searching for a new police chief.&nbsp;
Finally, we speak with the leaders of <a href="https://www.foodwellalliance.org/">Food Well Alliance</a>, a nonprofit that helps connect local growers with area communities, to support them socially, economically, and environmentally. Executive Director Kate Conner and Sarah Brown, Senior Manager of Policy and Planning join the program to share the latest local Food System Plan award recipients.

AJC Reporter reveals “secret vote” halting Beltline Rail; New South Fulton Mayor sets year one priorities; Food Well Alliance on supporting local growers, communities

New report estimates 12 years of slave labor in Fulton County at $375 million in today's dollars

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