Nate “Suave” Cameron, Jr., Board president
Music has always been synonymous with community for New Orleans native Nathaniel “Suave” Cameron, Jr.
From honing his vocal talents amongst church family as an 8-year-old choir member to earning his place in a historic brotherhood connecting lauded musicians like Jon Batiste, PJ Morton, Luke James, and Terrance Blanchard as a section leader of the St. Augustine Marching 100, the privilege of creating music has always provided Nate with a close-knit group of artists who inspired, educated, and protected each other. Even now, in his role as tour and production manager for Tank and the Bangas, Grammy-nominated winners of the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest and longtime members of Nate’s musical family, his greatest joy is in the moments when they explore the depth of connection music facilitates across country borders and language barriers.
In partnership with his wife, Krystle Sims-Cameron, Nate co-founded Them People Productions, an organization that provides artist support services and produces Black artist-centric events designed to strengthen community ties and promote cultural healing. As the director of Ropeadope Record’s new Artist Advocacy Group, he empowers modern music makers to connect with talent brokers and venues worldwide so they can build and maintain a fan-based communities across the globe. As founder of The Oakland Second Line Project, Nate brings free cultural community experiences that brings the authentic African roots of Second Line History and spirit of community building from New Orleans to POC communities of Oakland, Ca.
Alice Blackwell, Board Member
Alice brings more than 25 years of social science research experience to the table. She is a Vice President of a research firm with 200+ employees, and has a Master of Science degree in Sociology. She pursues information clarity and scientific rigor as a way to understand and address the needs of New Orleans’ unique and imperiled cultural community. Her passion for New Orleans started more than 30 years ago, and has never stopped growing. In what may prove be a foolhardy and gloriously unregretted leap of faith, she and her husband took over the Hi-Ho Lounge in January 2018, with the goal of keeping the longtime music venue eclectic and supportive of musicians, comedians, dancers, nonprofit groups, roller girls, writers and filmmakers, and service industry workers. Alice is also a committed volunteer and advocate for the world’s largest roller derby league, the Rose City Rollers; over the last decade, she has been a skater, board member, research consultant, and press editor. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Data Center, a non-profit working to provide the data to support decisions around policy, equity, infrastructure, disasters, and the tourism industry.
Renata Raphael Robertson, Board Member
Renata is a native of New Orleans, a graduate of McDonogh 35 Senior High and the University of New Orleans (bachelor’s degree and MBA) and brings over 20 years of experience in business strategy, community engagement, and program development to MaCCNO. She is the Chief Engagement Officer of the entertainment consulting agency Love Notes Music Group and is the founder of Love Notes Music & Arts Foundation, a 501c3 designated organization that supports individuals in their professional development in music and arts and brings cultural experiences to youth and seniors in the community. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Recording Academy and is an Advisory Board member for community resource center, Love in Action Outreach. Renata has also partnered with and/or supported organizations locally and nationally including Moonrise Entertainment, Gentilly Festival Inc., Folk Alliance International, New Orleans Aviation Board, WWOZ, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund, and Live Nation’s Music Forward Foundation. She is the "not so silent" partner in personal training studio Pro-FIT Training, with her husband, where they welcome local musicians and industry professionals who are interested in being more physically fit for tours and festival season. Renata enjoys working, like a ninja or “fairy godmother”, quietly behind the scenes on many projects, providing guidance or resources to create opportunities for the client’s vision to unfold.
ANDRIU YANOVSKI , Board Member
Andriu “Yàno” Yanovski is a 2-time GRAMMY Nominated and internationally touring keyboard player and songwriter based in New Orleans. Yanovski is a full time member of the bands The Rumble and Boogie T.rio and has been seen playing with The Revivalists, David Shaw, Maggie Koerner, Tony Hall, and more. He is featured on over 100 recordings including those with Boogie T.rio, David Shaw, GRiZ, Boogie T, and Samantha Fish. In his spare time, Andriu enjoys playing chess, racquetball, and playing with his two cats. He is excited to help bring awareness to the important work that MACCNO is doing and to give back to the scene that has given him so much.
Hirsh Katzen, Board Member
Hirsh Katzen is a passionate lover and supporter of live music who has lived in New Orleans since 1993. He plays guitar with the band COOT, who have played locally at the city’s premier venues and festivals. Professionally, he manages investments for a small firm, specializing in commercial real estate. Hirsh received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1993 and a JD/MBA from Tulane University in 1997. He enjoys travel, tennis, poker and spending time with his wife, son, and dog. Hirsh joined the MACCNO Advisory Board in 2021.
Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger, Board Secretary
Rev. Melanie is a 7th-generation native New Orleanian, a semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister, and a community activist on racial and gender justice, disaster recovery, and the environment. She is married to a local professional musician; the two of them participated in the protest at City Hall against the noise ordinance on Jan. 17, 2014. She counts her involvement with MACCNO to that time.