We’re launching a Community Connectors program. First up, Ward 7
George Kevin Jordan is joining The 51st team to connect with Ward 7 residents in meaningful ways.
When I moved to Washington, D.C. six years ago, it admittedly wasn’t out of an overwhelming excitement to live here. It was to be closer to my partner, who I’d been dating for two years at the time. And while being near the one you love is great, I was leaving behind what I had always considered the greatest city in the world: New York City. In fact, I’ve lived in several major cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles after spending the first 22 years of my life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
But D.C. turned out to be one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever lived. It’s a city of many facets, from its role as the political capital of the U.S. to its thriving academic community, including the prestigious Howard University. However, the most important thing is sometimes forgotten: D.C. is nothing without the people who call it home. There are residents who were born and raised in the District, some of whose families have been here for generations. There are transplants who came here for graduate school and never left, transients who call D.C. home only for short periods of time — and so many residents in between.
Like many transplant journalists, reading outlets like DCist, Washington City Paper, and the Washington Informer is how I discovered who D.C. residents are and what they want. It was also while reporting and writing my fair share of local news for publications like The Washington Afro-American newspaper and Greater Greater Washington that I began to get a baseline understanding of how the city ticks. As cliche as it sounds, local journalism has been my north star in understanding the very complicated underpinnings of the District.
So, when the team at The 51st said they were piloting a new program focused on building relationships with community members, I couldn’t raise my hand high enough. The Community Connectors program is a unique chance to engage with D.C. residents on a hyperlocal level. Off deadline and not seeking information for a specific story, I’m ready to listen, take notes, and build meaningful relationships.
I wanted to focus on Ward 7 first and foremost, because I am a Hillcrest resident. I love my neighbors, my community, and the entire ward. It has a legacy of greatness, endless potential, and lots of growing pains in between.
Over the next several months, I’ll be popping up at Ward 7 events, chatting with people one-on-one and in small groups, emailing, texting, and conversing with folks on social media. What do I want to know?
Things like:
- Where do you get your news?
- What kinds of articles would you like to see in The 51st?
- What issues are most important to you?
- What stories are you, frankly, tired of hearing about?
Though there are commonalities throughout the ward, I wouldn’t dare presume one narrative represents an entire area or population. Our stories, histories, and concerns are diverse. But that’s the fun part. I’ll likely start in Hillcrest, but I look forward to getting to know folks in River Terrace, Deanwood, Fort Dupont, Parkside, Kenilworth, and all the other distinct neighborhoods across the ward. There is so much to learn. And the unfortunate truth is, these communities often don’t make the back page — let alone the front page — of most local news outlets.
As a Community Connector, I hope to reinforce The 51st’s value of being a community-driven publication focused on local issues that impact everyday residents, not just big political stories. For me, covering the place I call home is a special honor that requires trust. I hope to earn that with you over time.
As the publication grows, we plan to deploy more community connectors to reach different groups of people across the city. By striving to connect deeply with specific audiences, we can tell more nuanced stories with context and understanding.
So where do we begin? If you’re a Ward 7 resident, send me an email at communityconnector@51st.news if you would like to chat personally with me or if you’re hosting an event where I can connect with people.
Hope to see you around soon!
George Kevin Jordan
