A young athlete from Panama moved in with Javier Wallace's family — and the relationship became a book. "Basketball Trafficking: Stolen Black Panamanian Dreams," Wallace's account of the F-1 student visa pipeline into U.S. basketball, is the inaugural grant recipient of the Tara Coyt Publishing Fund, a new Atlanta effort to get more Black scholars into print. Wallace discusses the book September 17 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, in conversation with former NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll. 

Supporting Black scholars 

Coyt launched the fund in 2025 with an open call to publishers for manuscripts they'd already accepted but couldn't yet afford to produce. "In the first year, we received about 10 applications," she said. 

At its center is the publishing subvention grant — up to $10,000 per book to help cover printing costs. The fund also supports a manuscript review workshop, a final-stage peer-review process for selected manuscripts, run in partnership with a university or professional organization. Recipients are also eligible for an author talk after publication. Which is how Wallace ended up on stage with Carroll. 

A young athlete from Panama moved in with Javier Wallace's family &mdash; and the relationship became a book. "<a href="https://www.dukeupress.edu/basketball-trafficking">Basketball Trafficking: Stolen Black Panamanian Dreams,</a>" Wallace's account of the F-1 student visa pipeline into U.S. basketball, is the inaugural grant recipient of the&nbsp;<a href="https://taracoyt.com/publishing-fund/">Tara Coyt Publishing Fund,</a>&nbsp;a new Atlanta effort to get more Black scholars into print. Wallace discusses the book September 17 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, in conversation with former NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll.&nbsp;
Supporting&nbsp;Black scholars&nbsp;
Coyt launched the fund in 2025 with an open call to publishers for manuscripts&nbsp;they'd&nbsp;already accepted but&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;yet afford to produce. "In the first year, we received about 10 applications," she said.&nbsp;
At its center is the publishing subvention grant &mdash; up to $10,000 per book to help cover printing costs. The fund also supports a manuscript review workshop, a final-stage peer-review process for selected manuscripts, run in partnership with a university or professional organization. Recipients are also eligible for an&nbsp;author&nbsp;talk after publication. Which is how Wallace ended up on stage with Carroll.&nbsp;

The Coyt Fund's assist to author Javier Wallace’s  'Basketball Trafficking' 

Known for his one-of-a-kind storytelling abilities, comedian and writer Ali Siddiq has taken 2026 by storm. 

His most recent standup specials, "Mondays" and "My Father," have been released to critical acclaim and high viewership numbers. In addition, on April 19, the performer released "Ali Siddiq: From Inside," a raw and in-depth conversation where Siddiq speaks directly to inmates about accountability, choices, and the reality of recidivism in America. 

Now, the comedian has taken to the road, performing across the nation in his Custom Fit comedy tour, which will be arriving in Atlanta on Oct. 16.  

Known for his one-of-a-kind storytelling abilities, comedian and writer Ali Siddiq has taken 2026 by storm.&nbsp;
His&nbsp;most recent standup specials, "Mondays" and "My Father," have been released to critical acclaim and high viewership numbers.&nbsp;In addition, on April 19,&nbsp;the performer&nbsp;released "Ali Siddiq: From Inside," a raw and in-depth conversation&nbsp;where Siddiq&nbsp;speaks directly to inmates about accountability, choices, and the reality of recidivism in America.&nbsp;
Now, the comedian has taken to the road, performing across the nation in his&nbsp;Custom Fit comedy tour, which will be arriving in Atlanta on Oct. 16. &nbsp;

Ali Siddiq brings life experience and laughter to State Farm Arena

BODDO Studio, Aishah Rashied Hyman, Atlanta design, West African textiles, Amani Women's Co-op, Kuba cloth, Kente cloth, Atlanta Design Festival, High Point Market, WABE Arts, home decor, small-batch design 

BODDO Studio, Aishah Rashied Hyman, Atlanta design, West African textiles, Amani Women's Co-op, Kuba cloth, Kente cloth, Atlanta Design Festival, High Point Market, WABE Arts, home decor, small-batch design&nbsp;

Inside BODDO Studio's process, from dream to drop 

When “School Daze” premiered in 1988, it was controversial before most audiences ever saw it. Written and directed by Spike Lee, the satirical, music-driven film examines life at Mission College, a fictional historically Black campus, and sparked debate among HBCU leadership even before cameras rolled.

Some administrators objected to the film’s portrayal of campus politics, colorism, and internal conflict, concerns that ultimately shaped where and how the movie was filmed.

“It wasn’t a little bit,” Lee said of the reaction at the time. He pointed to Hugh Gloster, who was then president of Morehouse College. “He refused to let us shoot on campus. Also, Spelman said, ‘Hell no.’”

Denied permission to film at his alma mater and at Spelman, Lee instead shot much of “School Daze” on the campus of what is now Clark Atlanta University, as well as at Morris Brown College.

When &ldquo;School Daze&rdquo; premiered in 1988, it was controversial before most audiences ever saw it. Written and directed by Spike Lee, the satirical, music-driven film examines life at Mission College, a fictional historically Black campus, and sparked debate among HBCU leadership even before cameras rolled.
Some administrators objected to the film&rsquo;s portrayal of campus politics, colorism, and internal conflict, concerns that ultimately shaped where and how the movie was filmed.
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t a little bit,&rdquo; Lee said of the reaction at the time. He pointed to Hugh Gloster, who was then president of Morehouse College. &ldquo;He refused to let us shoot on campus. Also, Spelman said, &lsquo;Hell no.&rsquo;&rdquo;
Denied permission to film at his alma mater and at Spelman, Lee instead shot much of &ldquo;School Daze&rdquo; on the campus of what is now Clark Atlanta University, as well as at Morris Brown College.

Spike Lee — “School Daze” Revisited

🎬 Emory film and media professor Beretta Smith-Shomade curates “40 Years of Brother Spike Lee,” a fall-long retrospective of the director's work, screening free every Wednesday at White Hall. Smith-Shomade talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about two decades of teaching Lee's films, the challenge of narrowing his catalog into one semester, and why Spike Lee's own choice to open with the Netflix reboot of “She's Gotta Have It” surprised even her. 

Podcast Tags / Keywords: Beretta Smith-Shomade, Spike Lee, Emory University, Cinematheque, 40 Years of Brother Spike Lee, School Daze, Netflix, Atlanta film, Black cinema, WABE Arts 

🎬 Emory film and media professor Beretta Smith-Shomade curates &ldquo;40 Years of Brother Spike Lee,&rdquo; a fall-long retrospective of the director's work, screening free every Wednesday at White Hall. Smith-Shomade talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about two decades of teaching Lee's films, the challenge of narrowing his catalog into one semester, and why Spike Lee's own choice to open with the Netflix reboot of &ldquo;She's Gotta Have It&rdquo; surprised even her.&nbsp;
Podcast Tags / Keywords: Beretta Smith-Shomade, Spike Lee, Emory University, Cinematheque, 40 Years of Brother Spike Lee, School Daze, Netflix, Atlanta film, Black cinema, WABE Arts&nbsp;

Emory Scholar Curates 40 Years of Spike Lee

🎭 Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor brings her one-woman show, “Exhibit,” to the closing night of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival at Spelman College. The play follows Iris, a Black visual artist confronting the fear of erasure. Taylor talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about the childhood memory that inspired the piece and how it found its way to Atlanta’s 15th annual festival.  

🎭 Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor brings her one-woman show, &ldquo;Exhibit,&rdquo; to the closing night of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival at Spelman College. The play follows Iris, a Black visual artist confronting the fear of erasure. Taylor talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about the childhood memory that inspired the piece and how it found its way to Atlanta&rsquo;s 15th annual festival.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Regina Taylor Closes ABTF with 'Exhibit' 

🎭 Playwright Kira Rockwell’s new comedic play, “Holy Chicken Sandwich,” imagines a fictional fast-food chicken chain grand opening where devoted fans camp out overnight — until chaos breaks loose. Rockwell, Suzie Bass Award-winning writer, talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about the real events that inspired the play, the moral stakes of working in the service industry, and the characters she sees herself in. “Holy Chicken Sandwich” runs at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta. 

🎭 Playwright Kira Rockwell&rsquo;s new comedic play, &ldquo;Holy Chicken Sandwich,&rdquo; imagines a fictional fast-food chicken chain grand opening where devoted fans camp out overnight &mdash; until chaos breaks loose. Rockwell, Suzie Bass Award-winning writer, talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about the real events that inspired the play, the moral stakes of working in the service industry, and the characters she sees herself in. &ldquo;Holy Chicken Sandwich&rdquo; runs at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta.&nbsp;

 Kira Rockwell on her new theatrical comedy 'Holy Chicken Sandwich' 

🎶 GRAMMY-nominated bassist Divinity Roxx, Beyoncé’s former musical director,  talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about her new children’s album, ‘Starchild Vol. I.’ Roxx explains why she refuses to “dumb down” music for kids, how ditching the microphone changed her live shows, and why community— from her nieces and nephews to Atlanta’s own Genesis Academy Cheer Squad — became central to the project. 

🎶 GRAMMY-nominated bassist Divinity Roxx, Beyonc&eacute;&rsquo;s former musical director,&nbsp; talks with WABE Arts and Culture Editor Sherri Daye Scott about her new children&rsquo;s album, &lsquo;Starchild Vol. I.&rsquo; Roxx explains why she refuses to &ldquo;dumb down&rdquo; music for kids, how ditching the microphone changed her live shows, and why community&mdash; from her nieces and nephews to Atlanta&rsquo;s own Genesis Academy Cheer Squad &mdash; became central to the project.&nbsp;

Divinity Roxx on her cosmic new kids album ‘Starchild’

🎧 Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner and executive producer of "Garner: The Breath That Breathed a Movement," talks with WABE Art and Culture editor Sherri Daye Scott about learning documentary filmmaking from the inside, fighting for New York's Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act, and why she pushed filmmakers toward one particular memory from Eric's childhood.

🎧 Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner and executive producer of "Garner: The Breath That Breathed a Movement," talks with WABE Art and Culture editor Sherri Daye Scott about learning documentary filmmaking from the inside, fighting for New York's Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act, and why she pushed filmmakers toward one particular memory from Eric's childhood.

Eric Garner’s mother Gwen Carr on executive-producing "Garner"

🎹 Eight-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste brings his 2026 Fantastical Tour Saturday to Chastain Park with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, a rare orchestral date. He tells WABE Arts what keeps him grounded on the road, why all music is folk music, and what Atlanta means to him. 🎧

🎹 Eight-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste brings his 2026 Fantastical Tour Saturday to Chastain Park with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, a rare orchestral date. He tells WABE Arts what keeps him grounded on the road, why all music is folk music, and what Atlanta means to him. 🎧

Jon Batiste: What's Feeding Him Before His Atlanta Date

WABE Arts features stories of art and culture in Atlanta.

WABE Arts features stories of art and culture in Atlanta.

WABE Arts

Each week, WABE Arts features stories of art and culture in Atlanta.

Each week, WABE Arts features stories of&nbsp;art and culture in Atlanta.

WABE Arts

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