The 51st
Local newsroom in D.C.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 51st is a nonprofit local news website registered in the District of Columbia.[1] It is affiliated with the Tiny News Collective[2] and Institute for Nonprofit News.[3] The name is a reference to the District of Columbia statehood movement debate. In addition to publishing, the organization gathers people in person by tabling at community events and hosting their own, such as a live gameshow celebrating D.C. history and culture.[4]
| Information with representation | |
| |
| Type | Website and newsletter |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Natalie Delgadillo, Eric Falquero, Teresa Frontado, Colleen Grablick, Abigail Higgins, Maddie Poore |
| Board of Directors | Christina Sturdivant Sani, Natalie Delgadillo, Eric Falquero, Colleen Grablick, Abigail Higgins, Maddie Poore |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Language | Predominantly English, some Spanish and Amharic with partners |
| City | District of Columbia |
| Country | United States |
| Website | 51st |
History
The company was founded in May 2024 by a group of former DCist and WAMU employees.[5] The effort was preceded by layoffs at WAMU, including shuttering of the DCist local news website.[6][a] The founders crowdfunded a quarter of a million dollars to get started.[9] The outlet began publishing weekly newsletters that October.
Operations
The organization is one of a growing number of worker-owned (for-profit) and worker-led (non-profit) media cooperatives.[10] Such models position themselves as alternatives to mainstream media.[11] Other examples include The Appeal,[12] 404 Media and Hell Gate NYC.[13][14]
Coverage
In its first year, The 51st contributed to a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation.[15] Several of its articles and sections were also recognized with awards from the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.[16]
The newsroom collaborates with other local outlets frequently, including Street Sense,[17] the Baltimore Banner,[18] Ethiopique, El Tiempo Latino,[19] and The Washington Afro-American.