Roberts is a Lawyer and founder of the law firm Bobbitt and Roberts. In 1968, Roberts, while a student at UCLA helped found the first African American studies program at the university, and established the Center for Afro-American Studies, later known as the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies.
He has served as president of Solar Records. Roberts served as a founder and director of Community Build, he also served as chairman of Broadway Financial Corporation and Broadway Federal Bank FSB. In 2005, he founded and served as co-chair of Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools. He is currently serving on the board of several foundations.