Real Estate Developer Booker T. Washington is teaming up with Rapper Killer Mike to bring affordable housing to their hometown of Atlanta. There remains a wide gap between the number of Black and White homeowners in the U.S., and the pair are working to make homeownership more attainable for the Black community with their micro-home concept. So far, they’ve produced $60 million in real estate developments in the Atlanta area. Now, Washington joins “Closer Look with Rose Scott” to discuss their new $13 million project, give his insight on the housing market, and share his long term strategy for making housing more accessible and affordable.

 

We also revisit another unique affordable home project. Shipping containers travel all over the world and are constantly reused for transporting goods. Wanona Satcher, the CEO and founder of Mākhers Studio, sees even more potential in the durable, steel boxes. Back in February, Satcher gave the “Closer Look” team a tour of her East Point warehouse, and shared her vision for turning shipping containers into affordable housing.

Real Estate Developer <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mr_booker_t/">Booker T. Washington</a> is teaming up with Rapper <a href="https://killermike.com/">Killer Mike</a> to bring affordable housing to their hometown of Atlanta. There remains a wide gap between the number of Black and White homeowners in the U.S., and the pair are working to make homeownership more attainable for the Black community with their <a href="https://techie-homes.com/">micro-home concept</a>. So far, they&rsquo;ve produced $60 million in real estate developments in the Atlanta area. Now, Washington joins &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>&rdquo; to discuss their new $13 million project, give his insight on the housing market, and share his long term strategy for making housing more accessible and affordable.
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We also revisit another unique affordable home project. Shipping containers travel all over the world and are constantly reused for transporting goods. Wanona Satcher, the CEO and founder of <a href="https://makhersstudio.com/">Mākhers Studio</a>, sees even more potential in the durable, steel boxes. Back in February, Satcher gave the &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; team a tour of her East Point warehouse, and shared her vision for <a href="https://www.wabe.org/makhers-studio-founder-builds-hope-for-housing-with-customized-shipping-containers/">turning shipping containers into affordable housing</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

Rapper Killer Mike, Real Estate Developer team up to improve housing opportunities for Black community; Mākhers Studio creates affordable housing from shipping containers

Inflation, high costs, and economic uncertainty have Georgians rethinking how far they plan to spend and stretch their dollar in 2026. For Feedback Friday for a special edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott opened the phone lines to hear from callers. They discussed their spending habits in 2025 and candidly shared their concerns for how they plan to navigate their spending in the new year. We also hear from WABE contributor Tom Smith, an associate professor in the practice of finance at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, and Roger Tutterow, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University.

Inflation, high costs, and economic uncertainty have Georgians rethinking how far they plan to spend and stretch their dollar in 2026. For Feedback Friday for a special edition of &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; program host Rose Scott opened the phone lines to hear from callers. They discussed their spending habits in 2025 and candidly shared their concerns for how they plan to navigate their spending in the new year. We also hear from WABE contributor<a href="https://economics.emory.edu/people/faculty/biography/smith-thomas.html"> Tom Smith</a>, an associate professor in the practice of finance at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, and<a href="https://facultyweb.kennesaw.edu/rtuttero/index.php"> Roger Tutterow</a>, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University.

Feedback Friday: ‘Closer Look’ listeners tighten their spending for the new year

December 10th marks the 77th Anniversary of World Human Rights Day. CARE USA President and CEO Michelle Nunn says 91,000,000 lives have been saved internationally in the last 20 years as a result of U.S. humanitarian aid. She added that less than a fraction of a penny is invested from every U.S. tax dollar. Those are the numbers Nunn wants the public to be aware of as the Trump Administration makes deep cuts to foreign aid programs, despite over one-billion people living in extreme poverty around the world. She says CARE USA had to reduce their operating budget by $300 Million this year to make up for the financial shortfall. Nunn also mentioned they’ve had to pull back on some of their outreach to areas experiencing crises, like Haiti. Nunn joined “Closer Look with Rose Scott” today to explain the impact of these investments, why they also matter to U.S. economic and national security, the pivotal part Georgia plays in global development and international aid, and how organizations like CARE USA are finding new ways to support communities abroad. Show host Rose Scott also shares a segment of her 2013 journey to Jordan where CARE assisted Syrian refugees.

December 10th marks the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day">77th Anniversary of World Human Rights Day</a>. CARE USA President and CEO <a href="https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/michelle-nunn/">Michelle Nunn</a>&nbsp;says 91,000,000 lives have been saved internationally in the last 20 years as a result of U.S. humanitarian aid. She added that less than a fraction of a penny is invested from every U.S. tax dollar. Those are the numbers Nunn wants the public to be aware of as the Trump Administration makes deep cuts to foreign aid programs, despite over one-billion people living in extreme poverty around the world. She says CARE USA had to reduce their operating budget by $300 Million this year to make up for the financial shortfall. Nunn also mentioned they&rsquo;ve had to pull back on some of their outreach to areas experiencing crises, like Haiti. Nunn joined &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>&rdquo; today to explain the impact of these investments, why they also matter to U.S. economic and national security, the pivotal part Georgia plays in global development and international aid, and how organizations like CARE USA are finding new ways to support communities abroad. Show host Rose Scott also shares a segment of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/care-officials-help-syrian-refugees-amman-jordan-part-2/">her 2013 journey to Jordan</a>&nbsp;where CARE assisted Syrian refugees.

CARE USA’s leader reveals impact of drastic international aid cuts by Trump Administration

Since 1994, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund has distributed nearly $93 billion to individuals, organizations, and businesses in under-resourced communities through credit unions. However, the fund has faced growing uncertainty under the Trump administration, including layoffs that were reversed after the government shutdown and stalled funding. Sydney Seral, the chief advocacy officer at the League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, talks with program host Rose Scott about the ongoing impact on Georgia and the risk credit unions and their communities could still face.

Plus, as Atlanta prepares for an influx of people for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Play Fair ATL is working to make sure the human rights of workers, immigrants, and the city’s unhoused population are protected. We hear from the coalition’s director, Michael Collins. He shares more about what Play Fair ATL is doing to make sure people will not be displaced by this mass event, that’s been described as multiple Super Bowls at once.

Since 1994, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund has distributed nearly $93 billion to individuals, organizations, and businesses in under-resourced communities through credit unions. However, the fund has faced growing uncertainty under the Trump administration, including layoffs that were reversed after the government shutdown and stalled funding.<a href="https://the-league.coop/"> Sydney Seral, the chief advocacy officer at the League of Credit Unions &amp; Affiliates</a>, talks with program host Rose Scott about the ongoing impact on Georgia and the risk credit unions and their communities could still face.
Plus, as Atlanta prepares for an influx of people for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, <a href="https://www.wabe.org/a-local-watchdog-coalition-is-demanding-stronger-protections-for-atlanta-residents-ahead-of-the-2026-fifa-world-cup/">Play Fair ATL</a> is working to make sure the human rights of workers, immigrants, and the city&rsquo;s unhoused population are protected. We hear from the <a href="https://www.playfairatl.com/">coalition&rsquo;s director, Michael Collins</a>. He shares more about what Play Fair ATL is doing to make sure people will not be displaced by this mass event, that&rsquo;s been described as multiple Super Bowls at once.

Rapper Killer Mike, Real Estate Developer team up to improve housing opportunities for Black community; Mākhers Studio creates affordable housing from shipping containers

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