When you are the 10th of 13 children, you learn to adapt. You learn that no matter what they put in front you, the goal is always the goal. Joe Barry Carroll adapted. Still does. The former National Basketball Association (NBA) star, who averaged 17.7 points over his 10-year career, used the experience he learned jockeying for position among some of the league’s biggest names for the greater good.

The road continued on with the economics degree he earned at the prestigious Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. While being among a select few to play in the NBA, it was just a steppingstone for everything that followed. After retiring from the NBA, he started The Carroll Group, a wealth management model that focuses on spending, saving, investing, philanthropy, and more.

That last one, philanthropy, led to the BroadView Foundation, which Joe founded in 1985 while still in the NBA. Today, it is called the Joe Barry Carroll Family Foundation, which continues to financially support and participate in organizations and programs that help make the world a better place. This includes children, students, elderly, economically disadvantaged, and individuals and communities of color. His accomplishments have been recognized with a “Hank Aaron Champion for Justice” award from the Atlanta Braves, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

It also is one of the reasons Joe has been a long-time participant in the Decatur Book Festival, which led to becoming a sponsor and advocate of the festival. Following a pause in 2023 because of COVID, the festival is back with live author Q&As, book signings and myriad activities, entertainment and exhibitors. Along with DeKalb County, the Joe Barry Carroll Family Foundation is one of the Festival’s major sponsors. “I try to get involved where I think I can help. That was one of the reasons I became involved with the Festival.”

Over the years, the author and artist has showcased his works, including his memoir, “Growing Up…In Words and Images,” the award-winning coffee-table book that revealed intimate stories and his expressive paintings of the people, places and experiences that shaped his character, beliefs and actions. “Books and literature are such an important part of any civilized society. That is what I love about the Festival. You have all these people from different backgrounds talking about different subjects. There is a lot of listening and learning that goes on, which is so important.”

In a time when unity is needed, Joe believes the art of storytelling is of utmost importance. “If you are able to communicate and do it well, you are able to provide messages of inspiration. I love getting out in front of people. I love having an opportunity to share ideas and provide encouragement.”