1966

Thought leaders from the Bureau of Governmental Research wanted a partner to take action on their research findings. They convened the leadership of business, labor, the universities, the clergy, and African-American community groups across lines of race and class to form the Metropolitan Area Committee (MAC) to advocate for good government, and equitable government services.

1968

MAC launched the first Metropolitan Leadership Forum. The Forum brings new leaders together to learn, discuss, and deliberate the key issues facing New Orleans. Since 1968, the annual forum has built generations of better leaders. Our 2,500 graduates went on to become Mayors, council members, state legislators, Senators, business leaders, exceptional educators, and more.

1970s-1990s

Over the next several decades, MAC became well-known for its work advocating for improvements to public education and in government accountability.

2000

The Committee for a Better New Orleans emerges as a non-partisan, inclusive coalition working to build a vision for a Better New Orleans, initially inspired by a mayoral campaign that year. The Committee brought together leaders from across New Orleans, including business and community leaders across race, class, and ideological divides, University Presidents, and non-elected government employees from across the political spectrum.

2002

With broad base of community consensus, and over 300 members, the Committee for a Better New Orleans publishes our first vision— our Blueprint for a Better New Orleans. The Blueprint made policy recommendations for city management, education, economic development, housing, public safety, and transportation. It included a vision for improved race relations, poverty reduction, and regional cooperation.

Recognizing their shared vision for a Better New Orleans, CBNO merged with MAC in 2002.

2006-2010

After Hurricane Katrina and the Federal levee failures, Committee for a Better New Orleans was a champion of neighborhood and community voice in the recovery plans. We led the community planning process for the Master Plan for the 20th Century in 2010, engaging hundreds of diverse community members.

2014 - present

We’ve been a champion of community-driven, effective, and accountable city government; driving equitable engagement in City plans like the Master Plan and City Charter, land use decisions, and especially the City Budget. In 2014, we launched our People’s Budget Process to drive community engagement in the municipal budget process.

We’ve maintained strong partnerships with elected officials, business and community leaders, and advocates, and established coalitions to solve some of our most pressing issues, including convening the Orleans Parish Education Network (OPEN) and Greater New Orleans Water Collaborative.