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.

Rep. Yadira Caraveo and Gabe Evans

Oct. 3, 2024: Candidates for CD8 on priorities for a district that’s both urban and rural

The state’s newest congressional district, District 8, was designed to be Colorado’s only toss-up seat between the two major parties. Today we hear from the two candidates vying for that seat. Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo is a pediatrician and Colorado’s first Latina member of Congress. Republican Gabe Evans is a state representative, former police officer, veteran and grandson of Mexican immigrants.
KROGER-KING-SOOPERS-SAFEWEAY-CANON-CITY-PHIL-WEISER

Oct. 1, 2024: Grocery store merger heads to court; Colorado’s Filipino community celebrates 70 years

The Colorado lawsuit to stop what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history heads to court. We look at what it could mean for shoppers. Then, the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley faces scrutiny after claims of an unsafe workplace and inhumane living conditions. Plus, a 70th anniversary milestone for Colorado’s Filipino community. And new citizens sign up to vote for the first time.
Sunanda Babu works with preschoolers

Sept. 26, 2024: From careers after retirement to outdoor excursions, Aging Matters knows no limits

A record number of Coloradans are nearing retirement age, and that could be good news for pre-schools. Industries that are struggling to find staff, like education and senior care, are hiring older people who may be looking for a second career or simply a way to stay involved and active. Then, we meet a group that gets older people outside, socializing, and trying something new. Cycling Without Age Littleton provides bike rides to people who can no longer ride themselves. This is an Aging Matters on Colorado Matters special.
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica M. Márquez

Sept. 24, 2024: Chief Justice Monica Márquez on the responsibility of being a role model and pioneering judge

Monica Márquez’s name is synonymous with firsts. In 2010 Governor Bill Ritter appointed her to the Colorado Supreme Court, making her the first Latina and the first openly gay justice to serve on Colorado’s highest court. As of 2021, she is the longest-serving of eleven openly LGBTQ-plus state supreme court justices in the United States. And on July 26 this year, she was sworn in as the chief justice for the state’s high court, again making her the first-ever Latina to serve in that role in Colorado. Chandra Thomas Whitfield sat down with Justice Márquez at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver, to talk about her journey, the responsibility she feels as a role model, and her priorities for the court.

Sept. 17, 2024: More wolves heading to Colorado; Sharing stories of culture and heritage

More gray wolves are coming to Colorado, nearly four years after voters decided to reintroduce them to our state. But the process has not been without problems. CPR climate and environment reporter Sam Brasch joins us with an update. Then, for Hispanic Heritage Month, we share stories of family, culture, and community with ¿Quién Are We? and one man’s special connection with his father.

Sept. 12, 2024: What’s next for MDMA after FDA rejection? Interpreting a lost Euripidean find

Researchers hoped the FDA would approve the drug commonly known as “ecstasy” to help treat PTSD. But now that the FDA has rejected it in a surprise decision, what’s next for the psychedelic? Then, two CU Boulder scholars interpret what they believe to be previously unknown fragments of two lost tragedies by the Greek playwright Euripides. And, using mammograms to increase awareness of dense breast tissue.
Three parents in the CPR News studio talking about the causes of parental anxiety and ways to cope.

Sept. 10, 2024: Why parents are stressed out, and ways to cope

The U.S. Surgeon General says almost half of American parents report feeling completely overwhelmed by stress. He now calls it an “urgent public health issue.” To get perspective, we’ve asked three parents to join us: Craig Knippenberg of Denver is a dad and family counselor, Kelli Clifton Ogunsanya is a mom and the chief operating officer at local corporation, and Jess Pramov is also a mom and a telecom executive.
brainmri

Sept. 5, 2024: Clinical trials hope to curb and reverse Alzheimer’s; EVs drive a shift for firefighters

There’s a clinical trial underway in Colorado that is recruiting participants in an effort to treat and reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Then, electric vehicles are changing how firefighters respond to car fires. Plus, Native American skier Ross Anderson from Durango will be inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame this weekend! And, Mount Blue Sky, the highest road in North America, is now closed for repairs until spring of 2026.
TWO WOMEN ARTISTS STAND NEAR THEIR FARMER MURAL

Sept. 2, 2024: Labors of love on Labor Day

On this Labor Day, people who work, to make a difference for others, including two artists, whose goal is to “paint the plains” from Bennet to Burlington, Lamar to Limon. Plus, a Colorado non-profit that makes sure working single moms have a reliable car. Also, a men’s clothier that’s making more than a fashion statement. And coffee with a cause.
The four Wells family children and their cousin pose outside a sign in a community in Mexico.

Aug. 27, 2024: Worldschooling encourages families to use the world as a classroom

Imagine living abroad, or even in another part of the country for a few months or longer, with your family in tow and using the world as your classroom. It might not be as far-fetched as you think. Three Boulder moms wrote a book on how to do it: “Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling.” Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with co-author Julie Frieder, as well as a Denver family who took up the adventure.