Closer Look: Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph Talks ‘Dreamgirls’, Activism and Longevity In Entertainment; Reproductive Rights Advocate Talks Concerns Over So-Called ‘Heartbeat Bill’

Friday on “Closer Look with Rose Scott”:

• 0:00: House Bill 481, which would ban abortions at six week, is on the Georgia Senate floor today. The legislation, also known as the so-called “heartbeat bill,” has been a source of intense debate between supporters and opponents as it has made its way through the Georgia legislature. Georgia isn’t the only state considering this type of legislation — Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a ‘heartbeat bill’ into law yesterday, and lawmakers in Tennessee passed similar legislation last week. Kwajelyn Jackson, executive director of the Feminist Women’s Health Center, which opposes the measure, discusses the current debate in Georgia, and the state of abortion rights nationwide.
• 24:27: The legendary actress Sheryl Lee Ralph made Broadway history for her role as Deena Jones in the original musical, Dreamgirls. But since that role, Ralph has also made her mark on television, as an activist and as an author. She joins us in-studio for a conversation about entertainment longevity.
• 50:49: Sometimes a business venture is formed out of necessity for a product or service. Perhaps one’s passion or expertise in a related industry. We recently debuted a new series here on the program Closer Look’s Open For Business where we talk with owners of businesses opening up in specific neighborhoods or communities. and also learning the story behind the venture. So far we’ve profiled a rare African-American bookstore on Auburn Avenue, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Mableton and an urban sawmill in Decatur, but our series began with the story of a long time resident of the Cascade neighborhood, Tremayne Perry and his mission to open BUZZ Coffee and Winehouse.

Closer Look is produced by Candace Wheeler and Grace Walker.