Join the Committee for a Better New Orleans for the next Changemaker Series: 2025 Bond Propositions Explained, a community discussion about the three general obligation bond propositions on this November’s ballot.

These propositions would authorize the City of New Orleans to issue bonds in three key areas:

• Affordable Housing

• Infrastructure & Public Assets

• Drainage & Stormwater Management

Hear from local leaders as they break down each proposition and share what these potential investments could mean for our city’s future:

• Colin Felsman, People’s Housing Plus — Affordable Housing

• Alexis Marceaux, Lafitte Greenway Partnership — Infrastructure & Public Assets

• Jessica Dandridge, The Water Collaborative — Drainage & Stormwater Management

This event is designed to inform and engage residents so everyone can understand the facts and implications before heading to the polls.

When: Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: Twelve Mile Limit, 500 S. Telemachus St.

Can’t make it in person? Visit cbno.org/bonds to learn more about the bond propositions and how they could shape New Orleans’ future investments.

We're at it again with your fun, accessible party-with-a-purpose to demystify the City's budget, and your fall ballot. Join us for food, fun, and all the info you need at the Broadside, 600 N Broad Street on Thursday, September 25th from 5:30-8:30pm.

Co-hosted by the Big Easy Budget Coalition, Committee for a Better New Orleans, Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, New Orleans Youth Alliance, New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board, Step Up Louisiana, Vera Institute of Justice, and VOTE.

We’re partnering with WWL-TV for their televised Mayor Debate. There will be a pre-debate special at 6:30 p.m., followed by the live debate at 7 p.m.

Catch the debates on WWL-TV or online through their free streaming app WWL+.

Where to Watch:

• On your local cable provider, or off-air antenna on WWL-TV, Channel 4

• Online via WWL+, available on streaming devices

How to Watch on Streaming Devices:

WWL+ can be downloaded for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Once installed, viewers can access the Katrina anniversary special directly from the app.

This fall, the City of New Orleans is requesting voters' approval on a measure that would allow them to borrow big sums of money to tackle large infrastructure projects, including the Neighborhood Power Plan.

Learn all about it at our next Changemakers Happy Hour, in partnership with the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association and Community Power Gulf South. 

When: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Where: 1024 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116 

What to expect: Networking, drinks, and information on the role of public investment in energy resilience and how the fall election can fund real solutions.

Please join YLC and partner organizations, Committee for a Better New Orleans, GNO Inc. Next Gen, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana Young Professionals, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals, Youth Empowerment Project, and United Way Young Professionals, for a question-and-answer discussion with the top New Orleans Mayoral candidates about young professionals and young families. This event will take place on August 5th from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Market (1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113).

Parking is limited to street parking at this location, so please consider using Uber, LYFT, or public transportation. If you plan to utilize off-street parking in the area, we advise factoring this into your travel time.

We are requesting all attendees register in advance for this event.

How does New Orleans decide which big projects get funded—and how can YOU have a say?

Join us for this month’s CBNO Changemakers Series: Capital Budgeting 101 – How the City Funds Big Projects

Tuesday, April 22
5:30–7:30 PM (program begins at 6:30 PM)
Banks Street Bar (Mid-City)

We’ll be joined by Kyle Homan, Capital Budget Director for the City of New Orleans, to break down:

• What municipal bonds are and how they work

• How the City plans and prioritizes infrastructure investments

• Where residents can plug into the process

 This session is designed for all knowledge levels and will offer insights into how our local government funds the streets, schools, and green spaces that shape our communities. 

Drinks available at the bar
Come with questions!
Free and open to the public

Let’s make government more transparent—and more accessible.

RSVP here:

Step Up & Lead: Serving on New Orleans Boards & Commissions

New Orleans thrives when its leadership reflects the voices, experiences, and brilliance of its people. Yet, too often, the decision-making tables that shape our city’s future lack diverse perspectives. It’s time to change that.

Join us for Step Up & Lead, an empowering event designed to connect young professionals and people of color with opportunities to serve on the City of New Orleans’ boards and commissions. Whether you’re passionate about housing, transportation, economic development, or arts and culture, there’s a place for you to make a real impact.

📅 Date: Thursday, March 27th, 2025

📍 Location: Gallier Hall, 545 St Charles Ave.
⏰ Time: 5:30-7:30pm

At this engaging and informative event, you’ll:
✅ Learn about the city’s boards & commissions—what they do and why they matter.
✅ Hear from current board members about their experiences and pathways to leadership.
✅ Get step-by-step guidance on how to apply and position yourself for appointment.
✅ Network with other community leaders and changemakers ready to make a difference.

Representation matters. Leadership matters. Your voice matters.

Step up. Lead. RSVP today!

For questions, contact info@cbno.org or call or text 504.356.3156

Join us for an unforgettable in-person event celebrating our 2024 Leadership Forum graduates, and presenting two awards to exceptional civic leaders in the New Orleans Community. It's sure to be a night filled with inspiration, celebration, and well-deserved recognition. Don't miss this opportunity to come together and applaud the hard work and dedication of our future leaders.

ATTIRE:

Jazz it up!

PROGRAM:

6pm - Mix & Mingle, Dinner & Drinks

7pm - 2024 Forum Graduation

7:30pm - Presentation of Awards

9:00pm - Good night!

FOOD & DRINK

Dinner and a champagne toast are provided. There will also be a cash bar.

TICKETS

• 1 ticket - $45

• 5 ticket bundle (includes name recognition) - $200

• 10 ticket bundle (includes logo recognition) - $400

• Sponsor a Leader for our 2025 Cohort (includes logo recognition) - $1,200

Block by Block: Designing Better Bus Stops with Minecraft

Join us for an exciting and interactive event where young minds will have the chance to redesign New Orleans' bus stops—block by block! Using Minecraft, participants will form teams to develop innovative solutions for transit shelters that meet the needs of our community.

Did you know? About 83% of New Orleans transit stops lack bus shelters, leaving riders exposed to the elements in increasingly hot and hazardous conditions. As part of the Better Bus Stops program, we're working to change that! This initiative, in partnership with the Committee for a Better New Orleans, RIDE New Orleans, and the Regional Transit Authority, focuses on designing new shelters for New Orleans' transit stops, and streamlining the process so we can get more shelters out on the street.

At this kid-focused event, we’ll introduce students to the challenges of public transit and bus stop design. Teams of four will rotate through stations, brainstorming ideas and then bringing their designs to life in Minecraft!

Event Details:

• Who: Students (Ages 10-17) with an interest in design, architecture, or Minecraft!

• What: Team-based bus stop design using Minecraft, with guidance from local transit advocates and design experts.

• When: Saturday, November 9th, 10am-2pm (Check in & free play begins at 9)

• Where: Harriet Tuban Charter School

• Why: To inspire the next generation to create bus stops that are safe, accessible, and sustainable for everyone.

Get your game face on and help us transform New Orleans' bus stops—one block at a time!

The most important decision the City makes all year is in progress -- The Budget! Over the next 7 weeks, the City will finalize their decisions about 1.78 Billion of your tax dollars. Join us Tuesday, October 8th from 5:30-7:30 at The Broadside to learn about: 

• What's in the City's 2025 Proposed Operating Budget, and what you can expect from the process; 

• The Housing Trust Fund ballot measure, which would dedicate millions to affordable housing without increasing taxes; and

• The Workers Bill of Rights measure, which would add provisions for workers like a living wage and paid leave to the City Charter's existing Bill of Rights.

• The Big Easy Deal, a $125.5M investment in community priorities developed by the Big Easy Budget Coalition

This is a free event that’s open to all ages! Childcare available. Please RSVP with the number of kids you’re bringing with you!

RSVP here!

CBNO’s Changemakers program is a series of monthly pop-up civic educational events where current and emerging community leaders innovate new ways to make an impact within their communities. This month we’re teaming up with Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative for a training on the ins and outs of City Council.

Join us and learn the inner workings of the New Orleans City Council, including:

• Council Basics - Who is on City Council, how it's structured, what responsibilities they have and how meetings & committees work;

• Practical training on where to find comment cards & how to fill them out, tips on making public comment, and how and why to contact and create relationships with staffers;

• Successful collaboration stories from community organizations, and more!

This is an opportunity for activists, advocates, organizers, changemakers, and everyday New Orleanians to learn how to engage in municipal decision making. All events in the Changemakers Series are free and open to the public.

While equity has long been a stated goal of City plans, we haven't seen it implemented broadly, and many already-disadvantaged neighborhoods are bearing the brunt of our subpar infrastructure. With billions on the table for infrastructure in the coming years, and a Federal policy to prioritize disadvantaged communities with Federal funds, we can't afford to miss this opportunity. We're working to create actionable recommendations for applying equity goals to City infrastructure projects under IIJA and IRA.

Join us to get an update on our progress and get involved in our next steps.

RSVP:

While equity has long been a stated goal of City plans, we haven't seen it implemented broadly, and many already-disadvantaged neighborhoods are bearing the brunt of our subpar infrastructure. With billions on the table for infrastructure in the coming years, and a Federal policy to prioritize disadvantaged communities with Federal funds, we can't afford to miss this opportunity. We're working to create actionable recommendations for applying equity goals to City infrastructure projects under IIJA and IRA.

Join us to get an update on our progress and get involved in our next steps.

RSVP: