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Community Connector Program
When we founded The 51st, we wanted to create a local news organization that is shaped by D.C. residents.
Our Community Connector program is one way of doing that. It allows us to connect one-on-one with people to understand how they view local media and how we can meet their news and information needs.
The term “Community Connector” was created by D.C. native and photographer Dee Dwyer, who also saw the need for local media to reach District residents in intentional and targeted ways.
Our Community Connector program is one way of doing that. It allows us to connect one-on-one with people to understand how they view local media and how we can meet their news and information needs.
The term “Community Connector” was created by D.C. native and photographer Dee Dwyer, who also saw the need for local media to reach District residents in intentional and targeted ways.
Since December 2024, we’ve hired D.C. residents to create and implement projects that engage specific audiences — often those who are marginalized by society and in mainstream media. Some of our Community Connectors’ work includes:
- Collecting data to understand information access and the needs of target audiences,
- Cultivating trust between community members and The 51st,
- Hosting and attending events to raise awareness about The 51st,
- Producing content that highlights target audiences, and
- Gathering story ideas that reflect the experiences and interests of marginalized communities.
Our program currently focuses on two communities: residents who live in Ward 7, as well as D.C. natives. You can read our Ward 7 stories here and follow our Community Connectors’ journeys here.
Meet our Community Connectors:
George Kevin Jordan
Lead Community Connector: Ward 7
communityconnector@51st.news
George (he/him) is a Hillcrest resident, working as a community connector focused on Ward 7. He loves his neighbors, his community, and his ward. He wants to learn how local news can better serve his community. He is also a contributing writer for The 51st, previously covering D.C. for The AFRO and Greater Greater Washington. Get to know George more through this introduction and his reporting.
Dwayne Lawson-Brown
Community Connector: D.C. Natives
communityconnector@51st.news
Dwayne (they/them) is a father, poet, playwright, and crochet kingpin. A proud D.C. Native, Dwayne has served their hometown for their entire adult life through HIV prevention education, museum education and advocacy, and informing artists of funding opportunities through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Artistically, Dwayne is the former co-host of Spit Dat, the longest running open mic in Washington, D.C., has performed and hosted at several prominent arts venues across the city. Get to know Dwayne more through this introduction.
Work with us!
We're have two part-time opportunities for Ward 7 residents:
Ward 7 Community Connector (Contract)
Contract length: Early December 2025 through June 2026
Hours: ~120 hours over 7 months
Rate: $40 per hour (this is a contracted position and does not include benefits)
Location: Ward 7, Washington, D.C.
Reports to: Lead Community Connector About The 51st The 51st is a worker-led, nonprofit local news
George Kevin Jordan
Digital Ward 7 Community Connector (Contract)
Contract length: Early December 2025 through March 2026
Hours: ~60 hours over 4 months
Rate: $35 per hour (this is a contracted position and does not include benefits)
Location: Remote/Online
Reports to: Lead Community Connector About The 51st The 51st is a worker-led, nonprofit local news source for D.
George Kevin Jordan