About the Program
Built on the belief that talent is everywhere.
Arresting the Arts began with a question: what if the same energy a community spends on safety could be spent on possibility? This is the answer.
Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett
29th Sheriff of Henry County, Georgia
Meet the Sheriff
Accomplished percussionist and lifelong advocate for music education
Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett is the 29th and first African-American Sheriff of Henry County, Georgia. The inception of his tenure has presented challenges and growing pains. Yet the many victories have strengthened the resolve of Sheriff Scandrett, his deputies and civilian staff. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office’s philosophy of one team, one mission ensures the implementation of his vision for unifying law enforcement with the community.
In the past three years, Sheriff Scandrett has accomplished much in a very little amount of time. Two of his favorite gems are the HCSO Restorative Center and the S3 – Setting Up Students for Success Initiative. The Restorative Center partners with Morehouse School of Medicine, WorkSource Georgia, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and others to provide a curriculum that changes mindsets and provides job opportunities to reduce recidivism in Henry County. The S3 Initiative empowers and engages middle school students at a crucial time in their development, keeping them on the right path by providing a positive influence.
Sheriff Scandrett joined law enforcement in 1990 as a detention officer at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility until he became Chief Deputy in 2014, managing Georgia’s largest Triple Crown accredited adult pre-trial detention facility. A graduate of St. Leo University (magna cum laude, Criminal Justice), he is a 32-year resident of Henry County, married to his high school sweetheart Deidree, with whom he shares two sons, two daughters and one granddaughter.
Honors & Distinctions
- City of Atlanta Phoenix Award recipient, 2019
- Vice-President, NOBLE – Georgia Chapter, 2016
- Graduate, Leadership DeKalb (2014) & Leadership Henry (2022)
- Member, The 100 Men of South Metro Atlanta
Don P. Roberts, M.M.Ed.
Music Educator & Entertainment Executive
Meet Don Roberts
The band consultant behind "Drumline" and a lifelong architect of marching arts excellence
Don P. Roberts, M.M.Ed., is a musician, educator, and entertainment executive best known as Executive Band Consultant on the 2002 film "Drumline," training the cast and writing the drill routines for a movie that earned a 2003 NAACP nomination for Most Outstanding Motion Picture. He went on to found and lead "DRUMLine Live," a theatrical production he served as President, CEO, Director, and Playwright of, touring the U.S., Japan, and Korea from 2008 to 2013.
His entertainment career also includes band-consulting work on the films "The Yard" and "Drumline: A New Beat," producing for ESPNU’s HBCU marching band series "The Battle," directing Halftime Live (official drumline of the Atlanta Hawks, Falcons, and Dream), and contributing to projects like a 2005 Super Bowl commercial and Missy Elliott’s "Bad Man." He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida A&M University, where he served as drum major and student conductor, followed by a Master’s in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and doctoral study in Administration at Argosy University.
As an educator, Roberts has served since 1996 as Music Coordinator for the DeKalb County School District, Georgia, overseeing about 150 directors and 15,000+ students across 126 schools, work that helped DeKalb rank among the nation’s "Top 100 Communities in Music Education" multiple times. Earlier, as Director of Bands at Southwest DeKalb High School, he led fifteen consecutive superior GMEA ratings, a historic 1996 GMEA Convention performance, a 1997 Macy’s Parade appearance, and a spot in the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies as the only band in America chosen for that honor. That same band later appeared as the "hero band" in "Drumline."
Honors & Distinctions
- Executive Band Consultant, "Drumline" (2002), 2003 NAACP Image Award nomination
- Dallas Austin Foundation’s 2008 Maestro of the Year in Music Education
- 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies: only U.S. band selected to perform
- Founder, President & CEO, "DRUMLine Live" (2008–2013)
Dr. Shaquille O’Neal
Chief of Community Relations, Henry County Sheriff’s Office
Meet Dr. Shaquille O'Neal
A world champion athlete and civic leader bridging community and law enforcement
Dr. Shaquille O’Neal is a globally recognized athlete, businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader who serves as Chief of Community Relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in Georgia. He was promoted to this executive leadership role in December 2025 after years of impactful service and partnership with the office. Shaquille originally joined the HCSO in 2020 as Director of Community Relations, bringing with him a deep commitment to community engagement, youth development, and public-private collaboration in support of public safety. He also brings a longstanding personal commitment to law enforcement service, having completed reserve law enforcement academy training and previously serving as a sworn reserve officer with agencies in California and Florida, including the Miami Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles Port Police.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Shaquille O’Neal rose to international prominence as one of the most dominant players in basketball history. After a standout collegiate career at Louisiana State University, he was selected first overall in the 1992 NBA Draft. Over a 19-year professional career, he earned four NBA championships, a league Most Valuable Player award, three NBA Finals MVP honors, 15 All-Star selections, and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Philanthropy and community service are central to his life’s work. Through the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, he supports initiatives focused on underserved youth, education, and family stability. His signature outreach efforts, which include “Shaq-A-Claus” holiday giving events, youth mentorship initiatives, and countless community-based events, have impacted families and neighborhoods across the country. In his role with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Chief O’Neal leads outreach initiatives, supports youth-focused programming, and helps amplify the HCSO’s commitment to trust, transparency, and service.
Honors & Distinctions
- Four-time NBA Champion & league Most Valuable Player
- Three-time NBA Finals MVP & 15-time All-Star
- Inductee, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Founder, Shaquille O’Neal Foundation
Our Mission
To provide meaningful collegiate music scholarship opportunities for talented young musicians while strengthening the educational pipeline between secondary music programs and institutions of higher education.
Identify
An invitation-only initiative that identifies outstanding student musicians, dancers, and aspiring sound engineers from across the Southeast.
Develop
Through a partnership with ESPN Events and the Conn-Selmer Corporation, students and directors participate in masterclasses and educational clinics led by distinguished music professionals.
Connect
The Fair gives colleges and universities direct access to qualified prospective students through recruitment, scholarship discussions, and family engagement.
Get Involved