At the top of 2024 — after working six years as a freelance journalist — I decided to search for a full-time job. Like most reporters who’ve spent more than a decade in the field, I yearned for something new. A more creative path. A less stressful work environment. A higher paycheck.
After DCist shuttered in February, Natalie Delgadillo reached out to me. She and some former colleagues were ideating a worker-led media publication, and they were looking for folks to build it … initially, as volunteers. While I empathized with them (I was, after all, laid off by a previous DCist owner) and was curious about the new business model, I couldn’t work for free. Higher paycheck, remember? So I asked Natalie to keep me posted after they raised some funds.
And, thankfully, she did. In August, after surpassing their crowdfunding goal, The 51sters brought me on as a team member to contribute to operations decisions, editorial strategies, and weekly content. I was even able to launch Ask A D.C. Native, a column I’d been percolating on for years.
And you guys, this work has been a dream! I’ve learned that I didn’t need to leave journalism, I just needed to find the right fit for me. At The 51st, I exercise my creative muscles while working collaboratively with highly intelligent, good-natured people and contribute to impactful reporting without that dreadful breaking news burnout.
All this to say, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wouldn’t be living this dream without our donors and sustaining members. So thanks a million to everyone who has contributed — in any way, any amount — to The 51st. It’s gotten us off the ground and we have enough runway to get us through Q1 2025!
At this point, we don’t know if we’ll raise enough money to keep operating after next spring or achieve our goal of becoming fully sustainable by next fall (but you can help us get there!) For now, we’ll bask in gratitude for the thousands of people who took a chance on a group of laid-off journalists determined to create a publication that’s not only a refreshing place to work but an essential resource for hyper-local coverage of the nation's capital and our home: D.C. Truly, y’all rock!
Thanks for participating in story time. And I hope you enjoy this brief holiday newsletter (we weren’t going to leave you without at least one fun story, some weekend events, and a little news you can use).
Charlottesville is known for conjuring up magical holiday experiences for travelers. (Visit Charlottesville)
Holiday romcom season will soon be in full effect, so we asked The 51st contributor Tim Ebner, "What if the Hallmark movies we watch could become a reality?" He delivered on a list of five quick-and-easy train trips to places where a "meet-cute" moment might top your itinerary.
A few weeks ago, we shared a list of ways you can give your time, energy, and organizing power to local organizations and causes. Based on your responses, we've updated that list with even more opportunities to get involved this holiday season and beyond.
You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way! So if you think we’re missing resources, please let us know!
DC Fair Budget Coalition is hosting a discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 3 about what budget items they’ll push the council to fund this year. In previous years, they’ve advocated for more funding for food access and housing security programs. Budget season begins in spring.
Are there things you’d like the National Park Service to know? Have thoughts on Rock Creek Park’s bike lane upkeep? On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the D.C. Council’s Subcommittee on Recreation & Community Affairs is hosting a roundtable to discuss opportunities for collaboration with NPS, which manages almost 90% of parkland in D.C. Advocates are encouraging people to testify against the expansion of the Rock Creek Park golf course that would require cutting down 1000+ trees. It’s too late to testify in person or virtually, but written testimony can be submitted online until Dec. 11.
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
