Five Dubs Podcast
In this episode, Rebecca talks with Christina Sturdivant Sani, executive editor of The 51st, about the organization's innovative Community Connectors program and its approach to building trust through community engagement. Christina explains how The 51st—a worker-led nonprofit newsroom serving Washington, D.C.—hires trusted community members to gather feedback, identify story ideas, and ensure its journalism reflects the needs of the people it serves.
They discuss how Community Connectors attend neighborhood events, conduct surveys, and create ongoing relationships that help shape editorial decisions and strengthen local trust. The conversation also explores The 51st's commitment to service journalism, audience-centered reporting, and sustainable community engagement, offering practical insights for news organizations looking to build deeper connections with their audiences.