Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum
Our annual Forum brings together emerging leaders from across New Orleans to learn about the issues facing our city, and work toward solutions.
About the Forum
From Housing to Disaster Recovery, Economic Development to Cultural Preservation, the Forum takes a deep dive into the issues New Orleans faces and equips the next generation of leaders to impact change. Together, we learn, discuss, and grapple with the question — How do we build a Better New Orleans?
Each year, 50 emerging leaders are selected to participate in the Forum. Through weekly sessions, Forum participants learn from subject-matter experts, engage in an open discussion about New Orleans issues, and work toward solutions. We close with a retreat that gives hands-on, practical training on how to understand, navigate, and influence the decisions that impact your community. Since 1968, we’ve trained over 2,600 leaders.
2025 Forum Session Schedule
Regular sessions are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm - 8:30pm September 9th through November 18th, 2025. Dinner is provided. There are two Saturday sessions; at the beginning and end of the program, from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Saturday sessions include lunch.
SEPTEMBER 9: What is Equity?
SEPTEMBER 13 (SATURDAY): City Tour
SEPTEMBER 16: Who & How: Government & Public Systems
SEPTEMBER 23: Climate & Environment
SEPTEMBER 30: Housing
OCTOBER 7: Health
OCTOBER 14: Streets & Transportation
OCTOBER 21: Economy
OCTOBER 28: Food
NOVEMBER 4: Youth & Education
NOVEMBER 11: Crime & Legal System
NOVEMBER 18: Who is New Orleans for? Balancing locals, newcomers, immigrants, and tourists
NOVEMBER 22(SATURDAY): Closing Retreat - Turning Knowledge into Action
NOVEMBER 25: Optional Social
December 4 (THURSDAY): Graduation/Reunion Celebration
*Weekly location and exact titles subject to change*
Pricing: $500
Standard Pricing
The Forum costs $500 per participant. This may be paid by the participant, or by their employer. The cost covers dinner/lunch for each session, tour transportation, and administrative costs of the program, and supports CBNO’s work to build a better New Orleans.
Scholarships
Full & Partial Scholarships Available!
We believe money shouldn’t be a barrier to access this important conversation. Scholarships are available to applicants who cannot afford to pay the participation fee. See application for details. Our scholarship fund is in memory of 2017 Forum Alumna Sharree Walls, whose legacy of leadership was cut short in 2019.
Create a seat at the table.
Our Leadership Forum is a life-changing opportunity for participants to learn how the City works, how to use their power to make their community thrive, and who can help.
Help us provide scholarships to applicants who cannot afford to cover the cost of the program.
“You can't advocate for changes if you don't know who to go to or how to do it. I really appreciated the organizing portion and the power mapping with information about New Orleans's governmental structure and decision-makers. "
— Shirani Jayasuriya, Leadership Forum graduate (2022)
