Jessica Blake Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC, US

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Brussels, Belgium

Served on the desk that was the final checkpoint for all stories before digital publication. Checked headlines and deks, pulled photos, wrote captions and operated the content management system. Wrote, designed and scheduled social media posts for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

New York, New York, United States

Pitched and executed enterprise stories weekly about national trends in K-12 public education. Appeared as a guest commenter on WFLD, KPRC and more, following a story on how overturning Roe v. Wade would impact schools. Assisted in writing a weekly newsletter, key to audience engagement.

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Co-led the newsroom's general assignment team while maintaining role as reporter. Delegated and edited stories and managed budget as ACE. Produced deep-dive explanatory piece on agricultural consolidation as enterprise reporter — part of larger, award-nominated project "2,500 Below."

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Promoted from role as education staff reporter. Focused on feature and data-driven stories, with the challenges K-12 schools faced post-COVID as an underlying pulse. Built relationships with new sources, diversifying the beats' network. Served as a leader, assisting in education of new staff reporters.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Specialized in reporting on major events in media law and the impact of the Reporter's Committee. Read, comprehended and translated legal documents and jargon into language easily understood by the common reader. Increased audience outreach by leading the monthly newsletter team.

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Collected, cleaned and visualized data for static and interactive graphics to accompany stories. Created maps, charts, illustrations and timelines primarily on Adobe Illustrator but I am fluent in other softwares as well. Won second place for Best Information Graphic in Missouri Press Association Awards 2021.

Remote

Co-authored freelance investigation on lack of safety protocol enforcement in high-security biolabs with award winning reporter Alison Young. Drew attention to risk of public exposure when researching coronaviruses. Tracked 45+ record requests to NIH funded labs, analyzed and documented results.

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Wrote primarily dailies, alternating between general assignment and education. Covered the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained strong local reporting for Columbia community even while remotely from Columbus, Ohio after stay-at-home orders went into affect.

Columbia, Missouri

Wrote for association's quarterly journal. Connected with talented journalists to collect tools, tips and story ideas for strong investigative reporting. Fact checked and edited the work of guest writers.

Columbus, Ohio

Assisted ABC6 On Your Side Investigative team. Demonstrated skills in broadcast script writing and video editing while collaborating on three feature packages.

Bachelor Of Journalism With A Minor In Sociology, Gpa 3.98

Activities and Societies: Research FellowSumma Cum Laude, Honors College Certificate, Kappa Tau Alpha Honors

Honors Diploma, Gpa 4.23

Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude, Honors Diploma