Meet our team: George Kevin Jordan

What’s your relationship to D.C.? Are you from the area, and if not, why did you move here?

My relationship to D.C. has always been primarily defined by local news. I freelanced and worked for local outlets here, and it really helped me understand the city better. It also gave me instant community. I moved to D.C. in 2018 for a relationship. Thank goodness both the move and the relationship lasted. I am originally from Milwaukee, but I have lived in all the mecca cities (Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles). I love city life — being able to walk around and talk to folks, explore on foot. Each city was an amazing puzzle to figure out. D.C. is no exception.

What’s your perfect D.C. day?

My perfect day is going to a museum like the National Portrait Gallery and just wandering around. Coming from places where they charge a hefty penny to visit a gallery, all the free resources here really make D.C. an amazing place to live. 

What do you love about local news?  Why did you decide to join The 51st team and build out the Community Connector program? 

Local news feels immediate. If there is an issue, it directly affects you and those around you. For instance, when we had the heavy snow this past winter, it was in the news, on the minds of my neighbors, and the main topic of our conversations.

I joined The 51st because I loved what the team was building and growing. It's powerful to create something that actually helps D.C. residents live better lives. I wanted to be a part of that process. And the Community Connector Program was a great way to help close the gap between residents who feel unheard and the stories we can produce for them. I love hearing from neighbors about what they would like to see and actually creating a plan to make that happen. That is real local news to me. 

You’re also an artist; what's your creative process like?

I always try to find the best container for the story I'm trying to tell. Sometimes that comes out in a painting or an illustration, sometimes it’s a short story or novel. My practice is about allowing myself to experiment daily until there is a story or project I can't get out of my head. Then I have to create it. The gap between my mind and the physical manifestation is always a surprise.