Melissa Espana - Journalist Profile | Connect with top journalists
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Melissa Espana
Verified
Social Media Editor, Block Club Chicago
Chicago
Beats
Biography
child welfare, local policeu.s. justice department, mortgages government, housing crisis real estate, investigative reporting government waste
Content
Company Info
Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization focused on providing reliable, nonpartisan coverage of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Founded in 2018 by former editors of DNAinfo Chicago, it has developed a sustainable, reader-supported model emphasizing hyperlocal journalism. The organization began with a successful Kickstarter campaign and has grown to 37 employees, supported by 20,000 paying subscribers, foundation grants, and advertising revenue. The organization specializes in neighborhood-focused reporting, covering local news, events, and issues across Chicago’s 77 community areas, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. It also features investigative journalism through its Watch team, which addresses systemic issues, and highlights the city’s arts and culture scene. Block Club Chicago is recognized for its community engagement and operational resilience, receiving multiple awards for its impact on local journalism. Its business model relies on reader revenue, grants, and advertising, showcasing a successful approach to nonprofit journalism that can be replicated in other cities.
Chicago, , United States
Founded: 2018