Meet our team: Natalie Delgadillo

Co-founder, The 51st

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

I’m from L.A. originally and like many people I came out here for work. That was nine years ago – safe to say I liked it. 

What do you love about local news, and why did you decide to become a co-founder of The 51st?

I got into local news when I became a staff writer at DCist in 2018. I loved writing about my own community because I felt like I could really see the impact of my work. There’s something uniquely satisfying about it, in my experience. When DCist was shuttered, I thought I would be done and figure out something else to do. But then I thought, if we have the chance to create a worker-led outlet focused on serving D.C., we should go for it. I was super inspired by Hell Gate and Defector and other models like this, and I figured someone has to do it here – may as well be us. 

What do you wish people knew about D.C.?

That it’s full of such cool people. D.C. residents get a bad rap – supposedly we’re all stuffy, boring, career-obsessed transplants who don’t know how to hold a conversation that doesn’t start with “what do you do?” I have NEVER found this to be true, not even the first year I lived here when I didn’t know many people. In my experience, D.C. residents are kind, neighborly, generous, and some of the most civically engaged and socially responsible people around. Plus they’re just … normal. People know how to talk to each other and conversations do not feel like a business meeting. 

What’s a reality show concept that would be perfect for D.C.?

I want a Vanderpump Rules-style reality show documenting the drama and dating lives of servers and bartenders working at a trendy D.C. restaurant. Guaranteed hit.

Where would you eat your last D.C. meal?

Brunch at El Sol, and I would order guacamole, queso fundido, and tacos de canasta to share + chilaquiles + 1 (or 2) micheladas.