When I started The Roots of Music in 2007, I wanted to give young people a place to find structure, purpose, and opportunity through music. What began as a six-week drum camp has grown into an organization that has empowered more than 2,800 young people by providing world class music instruction alongside transportation, daily hot meals, after school tutoring, counseling, and health screenings. Every day, we remove barriers so our students can focus on learning, growing, and building brighter futures.

Today, we stand at a defining moment in our journey. After nearly two decades of transforming borrowed classrooms and shared spaces into places of possibility, we finally have our permanent home. This new campus will provide dedicated rehearsal halls, recording and podcasting studios, tutoring and counseling rooms, a cafeteria, an instrument repair shop, and other spaces designed to help our students thrive. It will also allow us to bring our programs, staff, and equipment together under one roof, creating an environment that reflects the pride, excellence, and potential of every young person we serve.

To bring this vision to life, The Roots of Music launched an $8 million capital campaign. Your investment will help transform 5010 Piety Drive into a vibrant, student-centered campus that supports generations of young musicians. Together, we can create a foundation and cultural anchor where music, education, and community come together, ensuring that New Orleans’ musical legacy continues to inspire future generations while giving every student a place where they know they belong.

Thank you,

Derrick Tabb,

The Roots of Music

Founder & Executive Director