Derrick Tabb Received 2026 Wilmers Integrity Prize
The New Orleans nonprofit founder earned a $100,000 cash award for his community leadership and service.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Awards
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New Orleans resident Derrick Tabb has been named one of three recipients of the 2026 Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize. The honor, which includes an unrestricted $100,000 cash award, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service in their communities.
Why it matters
The prize honors leaders whose work creates meaningful change in their communities. It aims to support those working across various fields including the arts, public health, social justice, and education.
The Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize provides recipients with an unrestricted $100,000 cash award. The prize was established in 2019 to honor the late chairman and CEO of M&T Bank.
The players
Derrick Tabb
He is a New Orleans-based leader who co-founded the youth music nonprofit The Roots of Music in 2007.
Robert G. Wilmers
He served as the chairman and CEO of M&T Bank and is the namesake of the integrity prize.
Alan Shapiro
He is one of the three individuals selected as a 2026 recipient of the Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize.
Joelle Formato
She is one of the three individuals selected as a 2026 recipient of the Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize.
The details
Tabb is recognized for his commitment to local youth through The Roots of Music, the nonprofit he co-founded in 2007 to provide music education and mentorship. He shares this year's distinction with fellow recipients Alan Shapiro and Joelle Formato.
Timeline
Derrick Tabb founded The Roots of Music in 2007.
The Wilmers Integrity Prize was established in 2019.
Derrick Tabb received the award in 2026.
Culture Shift
The prize represents a broader movement to provide unrestricted funding to grassroots community leaders rather than traditional institutional grants. This shift empowers individual advocates like Tabb to address localized challenges in arts and social justice with greater autonomy.
The recognition of Tabb highlights the long-term success of The Roots of Music in providing consistent after-school programming for local children. Residents can see how the continued investment in local arts nonprofits supports academic and social development for the community's youth.
The takeaway
Recognizing grassroots leaders with unrestricted funding allows them to sustain critical community programs over the long term. Supporting local initiatives like music education helps foster creative development for the next generation.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest honors and recognitions in the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by OffBeat Magazine.
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