Following a court order, Georgia lawmakers are currently in a special session to redraw the district lines for several state legislature and congressional seats. WABE politics Rahul Bali discusses the latest.

Plus, a hearing is being held to determine if Sandersville Railroad Company can legally condemn property in Sparta, Georgia to build a 4.5-mile rail line. It would reportedly transform parts of the rural and predominately Black neighborhood into a rock quarry and asphalt plant. Rose talks with property owners Janet and Mark Smith, whose descendants purchased 600 acres in the area in 1926. The Smiths discuss what they are doing to protect their land.




Lastly, Detria Austin Everson was recently named the CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. The veteran nonprofit leader talks with Rose about her background in philanthropy, commitment to social justice and her top goals as the leader of the foundation.

Following a court order, Georgia lawmakers are currently in <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-republicans-move-to-cut-losses-as-they-propose-majority-black-districts-in-special-session/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a special session</a> to redraw the district lines for several state legislature and congressional seats. WABE politics Rahul Bali discusses the latest.Plus, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-sandersville-railroad-eminent-domain-property-rights-29d921c8f33dd3a916c325543b4d121d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a hearing</a> is being held to determine if Sandersville Railroad Company can legally condemn property in Sparta, Georgia to build a 4.5-mile rail line. It would reportedly transform parts of the rural and predominately Black neighborhood into a rock quarry and asphalt plant. Rose talks with property owners Janet and Mark Smith, whose descendants purchased 600 acres in the area in 1926. The Smiths discuss what they are doing to protect their land. Lastly, <a href="https://world.einnews.com/pr_news/668509455/detria-austin-everson-appointed-ceo-of-the-john-and-lillian-miles-lewis-foundation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Detria Austin Everson</a> was recently named the CEO of <a href="https://www.johnandlillianmileslewisfoundation.org/the-foundation-5/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation</a>. The veteran nonprofit leader talks with Rose about her background in philanthropy, commitment to social justice and her top goals as the leader of the foundation.

"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

Updating Georgia’s redistricting process; Sparta residents in land dispute with rail company; New CEO discusses leading foundation started by Rep. John Lewis

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>.

From Homelessness to City Hall - Wayne Martin’s Journey to Represent Southwest Atlanta; Thomas Worthy Talks Traffic, Transit and Trust

There are many ways to describe Donald Trump’s second term, especially given how many of his policies and executive orders related to education and other areas have been tied up in federal courts. Legal challenges seem to follow nearly every move. Still, one recent court development hasn’t received much attention from major news outlets. Some have called it a “win for academic freedom,” but Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum sees it as more complicated than that.

Also on today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” Emory University’s Dr. Crystal R. Sanders and Dr. Karida L. Brown discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of what would eventually become Black History Month. They share his dangerous pursuit of accurately telling the story of contributions made by African descended people.

There are many ways to describe Donald Trump&rsquo;s second term, especially given how many of his policies and executive orders related to education and other areas have been tied up in federal courts. Legal challenges seem to follow nearly every move. Still, one recent court development hasn&rsquo;t received much attention from major news outlets. Some have called it a<a href="https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/department-education-backs-down-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity"> &ldquo;win for academic freedom,&rdquo;</a> but<a href="https://www.beverlydanieltatum.com/"> Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum</a> sees it as more complicated than that.
Also on today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; Emory University&rsquo;s <a href="https://aas.emory.edu/people/bios/faculty/sanders-crystal-r.html">Dr. Crystal R. Sanders</a> and <a href="https://sociology.emory.edu/people/bios/Brown-Karida%20L..html">Dr. Karida L. Brown</a> discuss the life and legacy of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cawo/learn/carter-g-woodson-biography.htm">Dr. Carter G. Woodson</a>, the founder of what would eventually become Black History Month. They share his dangerous pursuit of accurately telling the story of contributions made by African descended people.

Trump policies could still challenge DEI in education; Discussing Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “The Father of Black History”

On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott welcomed Atlanta City Councilmember Kelsea Bond to the program. New to their office as the District 2 representative, Bond discussed how they want to push for the issues they campaigned on: addressing housing affordability, increasing taxes on the wealthy, police reform and public transit expansion.

 

Also on the show, the team behind the WABE-TV docuseries, (re)Defining History, which returns for its second season. Over four episodes, the program delves into the history of Atlanta, the South, and its forgotten figures, places and moments. “Closer Look” previews some of the topics, such as anecdotal stories about Atlanta’s own baseball great, Henry “Hank” Aaron and Atlanta’s first private black-owned hospital, the William A. Harris Memorial Hospital, which was built in 1928.

On Thursday&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott welcomed Atlanta City <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/kelsea-bond">Councilmember Kelsea Bond</a> to the program. New to their office as the District 2 representative, Bond discussed how they want to push for the issues they <a href="https://kelseabond.com/platform/">campaigned on</a>: addressing housing affordability, increasing taxes on the wealthy, police reform and public transit expansion.
&nbsp;
Also on the show, the team behind the WABE-TV docuseries,<a href="https://www.wabe.org/wabe-launches-redefining-history-a-half-hour-docuseries-examining-atlantas-past-to-better-understand-the-present-with-an-exploration-of-hank-aarons-legacy/"> (re)Defining History</a>, which returns for its second season. Over four episodes, the program delves into the history of Atlanta, the South, and its forgotten figures, places and moments. &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; previews some of the topics, such as anecdotal stories about Atlanta&rsquo;s own baseball great,<a href="https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/aaron-hank"> Henry &ldquo;Hank&rdquo; Aaron</a> and Atlanta&rsquo;s first private black-owned hospital, the<a href="https://digilab.libs.uga.edu/scl/exhibits/show/washington-park-neighborhood/cultural-spaces/hospital#:~:text=Constructed%20in%201928%2C%20William%20A.,hospital%20available%20to%20Black%20Atlantans."> William A. Harris Memorial Hospital</a>, which was built in 1928.

Kelsea Bond on how they want to ‘change the culture of city council’; WABE docuseries to highlight lesser known stories of Hank Aaron, Atlanta and more

Updating Georgia’s redistricting process; Sparta residents in land dispute with rail company; New CEO discusses leading foundation started by Rep. John Lewis

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