Melissa Espana - Profile and Journalist Details
Find journalists that align with your industry, location and vision. Unlock Melissa Espana's full journalist profile, including location, coverage topics, current employer, biography and preferences. Sign up today and start building journalist relationships that fuel your startup's growth.
Get connected with journalists today
Melissa Espana
Verified
Social Media Editor, Block Club Chicago
Chicago
Beats
child welfare, local policeu.s. justice department, mortgages government, housing crisis real estate, investigative reporting government waste
Content
By Melissa Espana Verified| Block Club Chicago Verified CHICAGO — Wands — and wallets — at the ready: The Harry Potter Shop is now open Downtown. Actor Tom Felton, famous for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Potter movie series, stopped by the Magnificent Mile this week to celebrate the opening of the Harry Potter Shop at 676 N. Michigan Ave. While the series’ first book was published close to 30 years ago, hype over the wizard series is still strong, with a new HBO series on the way and the fandom continuing to grow among younger generations
By Melissa Espana Verified| Block Club Chicago Verified CHICAGO — Last month, it was green. Now, the Chicago River is serving up something even stranger: giant jelly beans. As part of an April Fools’ Day stunt, giant Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans floated beneath the Michigan Avenue Bridge on Tuesday morning, giving passersby a sneak peek at the magic coming to Downtown when the Harry Potter Shop opens April 10. The beans bobbed along in the water, catching the attention of morning runners and Harry Potter fans who stopped to take photos
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