Student success is directly linked to literacy. According to the latest data from the Georgia Council on Literacy, 62% of third-graders are not reading on grade level. The findings come as state lawmakers consider the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, which aims to improve literacy through several approaches and strategies.

“Closer Look’s” February installment of “Coffee Conversations was held at The Ke'next Cooperative located in the Westview neighborhood. Host Rose Scott talked with several guests, including children’s book authors. They discussed community-center resources and programs geared toward improving literacy rates in Georgia and read excerpts from children’s books. Guests included:

Kiyomi Rollins, the owner of The Ke’nekt Cooperative

Gayle Hunter Holloman, the executive director of Fulton County Library System

Caroline Ahmann, owner of the Beloved Books Bookmobile

Dr. Nicola Chin, a pediatrician at Morehouse Healthcare and a Reach Out and Read Clinician

Alex Ryan, the founder of Alex in Wonderland, LLC, and the author and creator of “Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money”

Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel, an educator, speaker and author of the book “Go Forth and Tell”

Shelly Anand, an author of “Laxmi’s Mooch”

Reem Faruqi, an award-winning author of “Lailah's Lunchbox”

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A newly published Kindred Futures report examines the intersection of climate resilience and racial wealth equity in Atlanta. The report is titled "A Beloved Community, A Brighter Tomorrow.” The 68-page document breaks down how rising utility costs, extreme heat, flooding and other environmental harms extract wealth from Southwest Atlanta homeowners, renters and business owners. It also outlines collective action steps stakeholders can take to assist Black communities in protecting their assets and reducing vulnerabilities. On today’s Closer Look, we hear from Dr. Alex Camardelle, the vice president of policy and research at Kindred Futures. He shares some of the report’s key findings and policy recommendations.

From 1989 to 1993, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan served as the 17th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President George H.W. Bush. He’s also celebrated for his courageous choice that founded the Morehouse School of Medicine. During a recent visit to his home just outside of Atlanta, Dr. Sullivan sat down for a conversation with Closer Look host Rose Scott. To discuss his legacy and the need for the U.S. to remain curious and engaged with science, education, and public health.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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It’s been nearly 200 years since the founding of the first African Institute in the United States. Since that time, historically Black colleges and universities continue to influence society and impact diverse students of every race and cultural background. On Wednesday’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we spoke to Chicago PBS News Anchor Brandis Friedman about her new documentary, “Opportunity, Access & Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs.”

Following the Trump Administration’s repeal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, “Closer Look,” is joined by Diamond Spratling, the founder and executive director of Girl + Environment. Through her work, she raises awareness about what’s harming the environment, plus trains and teaches Black and Brown women to advocate for climate solutions. She shares how President Trump’s actions could harm vulnerable communities.

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On today’s “Closer Look,” we share tributes to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, and a prior interview host Rose Scott did with the civil rights champion from WABE’s ATL68 series. Jackson also dedicated his life to founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, working as a global humanitarian, running for president twice, and as part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle. Jackson, known for his famous words, “Keep hope alive!” died Tuesday. He was 84. Scott also talks with Gerald Griggs, a civil rights attorney and past president of the Georgia NAACP, who shares his memories about Jackson.

Also, Atlanta’s Zoning Review Board recently overruled a vote by a Kirkwood area neighborhood planning unit. The NPU had voted against a proposal for a 47-unit apartment building for unhoused seniors, which would include mental health services. However, the Board chose to move forward with the project, which would be located in a currently vacant lot located at 88 Howard St. NE. The property is owned by Turner Monumental AME Church, who is pursuing the development. Sean Keenan has followed the project for Atlanta Civic Circle and shares the latest with “Closer Look.”

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On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts talked with host Rose Scott about the timeline of events around the FBI raid and seizure of the county’s election records. He also shared his thoughts about the unsealed warrant affidavit used by the FBI, which supports already disproven claims of election fraud in Fulton County.

We also learn about how the newly formed Georgia chapter of a faith-led group is pushing back against Christian nationalism. Christians Against Christian Nationalism are among those evangelicals who are becoming more outspoken and denouncing the beliefs, which often includes underlying racism.

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