Chandra Thomas Whitfield

Host/Producer, Colorado Matters

[email protected]

Chandra Thomas Whitfield joined CPR as a host and producer of its daily interview show, Colorado Matters, in 2022.

Professional background:
Whitfield has produced stories for NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, Ebony and a number of other national media outlets. She also hosted and produced the award-winning podcast “In The Gap” from In These Times magazine, which explored how the gender pay gap and pay discrimination affects the lives and livelihoods of Black women who work in America.

A New Orleans native by way of Atlanta and Clark Atlanta University graduate, she is also an alumna of a diverse mix of journalism fellowship programs, including the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at the Ohio University and Ted Scripps Fellowship in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. Most recently she completed the Medill and The Garage Media Entrepreneur Fellowship with Northwestern University’s esteemed Medill School of Journalism.

Education:
Bachelor's of Arts degree in Journalism, Clark Atlanta University.

Awards/recognition:
Whitfield is the recipient of numerous awards for her writing, including “Journalist of the Year” awards from the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Press Club, as well as honors from the Association for Women in Communications, the Colorado Association of Black Journalists and Mental Health America. An award-winning feature story she penned for Atlanta magazine is widely attributed with helping contribute to a change in Georgia law and a young man's early release from a 10-year prison sentence.

A woman is seated behind a studio microphone and holding hands with a man also seated behind a studio microphone. She is wearing a white shirt and he is wearing a grey shirt. They are looking at each other and smiling.
Colorado Matters

July 31, 2025: After 35 years, the triumphs of the Americans with Disabilities Act — and the work still to be done

It was 35 years ago that the Americans with Disabilities Act — widely known as the ADA — was signed into law, protecting the rights of people with disabilities in all areas of public life. Today, we look at its impact as it relates to transportation, as an advocate details the work still to be done. Then, a new executive order from President Trump aims to get cities to remove people who are unhoused from the streets. Also, meet Joel Medina — a tattoo artist in Thornton, whose own story of loss, recovery, and second chances is etched into every piece he creates.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Historic black and white photo shows people in the foreground looking at a flooded creek with a home askew on the shore.
Colorado Matters

July 29, 2025: Four Coloradans share the legacy of growing up Black in Cherry Creek

The legacy of Cherry Creek is rooted in Black history and it played a pivotal role shaping Denver into the city that it is today. Chandra Thomas Whitfield moderated a panel discussion called “Legacy of Cherry Creek: Growing Up Black in Denver’s Transforming Neighborhood” in front of an audience this spring. It was hosted by Arapahoe County Libraries to reflect and share the personal stories of four life-long Colorado residents whose families called Cherry Creek home, and some who still do.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Photo shows a vendor booth outside with a table filled with jars of pickles and am an in black clothing standing to the right.
Colorado Matters

‘I went from grief to growth:’ Marcus Weaver finds purpose and platform after surviving Aurora movie theater shooting

Marcus Weaver was shot twice but survived the Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, July 20, 2012. Out of the horrific act of violence, he ultimately found his purpose, and a platform, to advocate for social justice and to help others make better lives for themselves. That includes a workforce training business that taps into a family recipe, and resulted in “The People’s Pickles.”. He spoke with Chandra Thomas Whitfield.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Jared Polis speaks with reporters after the State of the State address.
Colorado Matters

July 15, 2025: Gov. Polis pushes back on tariffs; Summer camp safety; Colorado’s poet laureate remembered

Gov. Jared Polis is pushing back against what he calls President Trump’s “reckless tariff policy.” Meanwhile, state lawmakers regroup after federal budget cuts and tax changes. Also, hear from a summer camp operator about wildfire and flood safety. Then, we remember Colorado’s poet laureate, Andrea Gibson, who died Monday at age 49 of ovarian cancer. And later, a CU graduate hopes to revolutionize audio with ethical AI.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
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Colorado Matters

July 10, 2025: ‘Senseless’ explores overcoming shared trauma and community resiliency; Celebrating Black Arts!

Trauma can be a shared experience, but the journey to process it and overcome is often silenced. A new podcast by journalist Erika Mahoney hopes to change that and create connection. Her father Kevin was killed in a mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store in 2021. Then, rebates for EVs will soon be scaled back. And the Colorado Black Arts Festival returns for a 39th year this weekend!
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Photo shows an exhibit with three display areas at the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs elevating Ute culture and history.
Colorado Matters

July 8, 2025: What’s next now that ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is law; ‘Until Forever Comes’ elevates Ute culture

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been signed into law, what’s next? And what might it indicate for an already-divided Congress moving forward? Then, elevating the past, present and future of Ute culture in Colorado. Plus, the state’s embrace of tattoos ahead of the Villian Arts 8th Annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival. And, our fascination with fireflies.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Golden aspen trees among conifer trees in a mountain setting under blue skies
Colorado Matters

July 1, 2025: How being outside can shape learning, life skills, and leadership; Tracking use of force stalls

“Give Outdoor Learning” is a first of its kind, statewide campaign that creates nature-based outings for the public. And because many programs are at risk due to budget cuts, it’s also a fundraising campaign similar to Colorado Gives Day. CPR’s Jenny Brundin speaks with an organizer from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and two young adults who share how nature has changed them. Then, five years after a state law took effect, why is it still a challenge to track use of force by Colorado law enforcement? And later, sorting out senior living options with Aging Matters.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
A man with sunglasses in a purple and red plaid suit coat with a purple shirt sings into a microphone on stage
Colorado Matters

June 26, 2025: Philip Bailey and the ‘Reasons’ behind his, and Earth, Wind and Fire’s, lasting success

It’s the falsetto that’s captured the hearts of music lovers for more than 5 decades now — and the long list of awards and accolades behind his name affirms that his fandom comes for, well, good “Reasons.” A talk with Denver native and East High School graduate Philip Bailey as he reflects on his life and legacy as lead singer of Colorado’s adopted hometown band, Earth, Wind and Fire.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Two people stand in front of a glass studio window next to a sign that says Colorado Public Radio. One is wearing a white shirt with black pants and the other is wearing a black shirt with jeans.
Colorado Matters

June 24, 2025: Black Pride Colorado marks 5 year milestone; Was Captain Kidd really a notorious pirate?

June is Pride Month, centered on acknowledging the accomplishments and the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community. And for one Colorado nonprofit, it’s also time to celebrate a big milestone and focus on the work left to be done. Then, Colorado author and history buff Samuel Marquis sets the record straight about his ninth-great-grandfather, the notorious pirate Captain Kidd, who was not at all the pirate legend might have you believe.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
A person with short cropped black hair wearing a black tee shirt sits behind a microphone in the CPR News studio. She is wearing glasses and smiling. Her right arm is resting on the back of the chair.
Colorado Matters

Black Pride Colorado marks 5 year milestone

June is Pride Month, centered on acknowledging the accomplishments and the experiences of the LGBTQ-plus community. It’s also a time to acknowledge the challenges that persist, and those challenges are often unique for members of the Black LGBTQ+ community. Tara Jae is the co-founder of Black Pride Colorado, an advocacy organization which is celebrating its 5th anniversary this month.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Man is seen in 3/4 profile wearing a cowboy hat and green vest over a blue shirt. He has a white mustache and beard.
Colorado Matters

Captain Kidd’s 9th-great-grandson explores the true story of the pirate wronged by legend and history

He’s a best-selling American history author and advisor to The History Channel who just so happens to be the 9th-great-grandson of one of the most famous pirates in history. But it turns out, his famous, or perhaps infamous, relative, the legendary pirate Captain Kidd, wasn’t really a pirate after all! Colorado’s own Samuel Marquis sets the record straight in his new book, “Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.”
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield