Derrell Roberts was born in New Orleans, but finished high school in Los Angeles. He grew up in the St. Bernard Housing Projects of New Orleans where he learned the values of a community setting high standards for itself no matter the size of ones’ paycheck.

He received his undergraduate degree from Chapman University and attended graduate school at USC’s School of Governmental Relations, before moving to Sacramento in 1982. He quickly became a visible figure for his willingness to work in some of the toughest and most economically challenged communities.

Derrell is a respected community leader who has a proven track record of success administering community-based organizations. With 20+ years of experience as an administrator and program developer, he is known as a “doer.” His involvement in visible community projects such as St. Hope Academy, Healthy Start, and the Salvation Army’s Oak Park Community Center has received national, state, and local recognition.

His professional life has been committed to improving the living situations of children and families he encounters. In 2001 he and his wife Tina co-founded the Roberts Family Development Center located in North Sacramento.

Over the years, his work in the community has been recognized in many ways including:

• 1999 Antioch Progressive Baptist Church’s “Living Legend Award”,
• 2009 Metro Chamber’s “Al Geiger Award”, Federal Bureau of Investigations
• 2015 “Director's Community Leadership Award”, Valley Vision’s
• 2016 “Social Equity Leader”, Sacramento Black Expo’s
• 2018 and 2019 “Black History Maker”, and 100 Black Men of America’s
• 2022 “Excellence in Mentoring Award”.

He has been a member of numerous Leadership programs including the Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sacramento and the American Leadership Federation Class of 2006.