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.

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Colorado Matters

March 5, 2024: How to vote on Super Tuesday; A mother’s ‘remedies for sorrow’

It’s Super Tuesday. We’ll walk through the voting process and get a little voting history along the way. Plus, the head of Colorado’s county clerks talks about what’s next now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump can stay on the ballot. Also, a mother’s journey to help her daughter overcome an underdiagnosed virus. And Colorado wonders about its wild weather changes.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
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Colorado Matters

Feb. 27, 2024: Homelessness in Grand Junction; Elevating Black history in Colorado

Another park closes in Grand Junction, frequented by people experiencing homelessness. But the closure may be more about perception, as the city votes down a ban on daytime camping in parks. Then, Colorado’s Black history is diverse and rich but not widely known. An exhibit at the Museum of Boulder is working to change that by illuminating the stories of Black people across the state.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Feb. 15, 2024: Denver singer/songwriter JoFoKe; Dearfield’s bid for National Park Service designation

Her family’s musical legacy goes back four generations in Colorado. But Denver singer/songwriter JoFoKe isn’t relying on that as she makes her own mark, baring her soul on stage and tackling issues like mental health. Then, in the early 1900s, about 300 Black homesteaders created a community called Dearfield in northern Colorado. The site where it used to stand could soon be added to the National Park Service. And Nuggets’ stadium announcer Kyle Speller goes to the NBA All-Star Game.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Feb. 13, 2024: Spring outlook and a big change for Mike Nelson; Colorado’s love of beer

We’re heading into the snowiest time of the year, so what can we expect and how will it impact snowpack? We talk about that with Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson, who himself is making news: he’s retiring. Then, Colorado Wonders if the Grand Mesa really is the world’s largest flat top mountain. And Colorado’s love affair with beer includes a Beer Spa and Stout Month.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Beer is big business in Colorado

Let’s face it, Colorado loves beer, especially craft beer. In 2022, Colorado continued its reign as the top state in the country for total beer production with 20.7 million barrels. And Colorado has been the top beer producing state since 2006. Alex Davidson is with the Beer Institute, the oldest national trade association representing the beer industry.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
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Colorado Matters

Feb. 8, 2024: Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump ballot case; Purplish looks at Colorado legislative session

The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court spent hours wrestling with the knotty legal issues of Trump v. Anderson — the presidential eligibility case from Colorado. CPR’s Washington correspondent Caitlyn Kim was in the courtroom and breaks down what happened. Then Purplish looks at the first month of the state legislative session and what’s ahead. Also, the Lunar New Year, and Denver native and Grammy winner Lecrae.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Feb. 6, 2024: Mom hoped to educate, not incarcerate; Broomfield stylist elevates African designers

A Black mother was verbally assaulted by a white mother using a racial slur outside their daughters’ elementary school; she wanted the justice system to educate, not incarcerate. Systemic tells the story. Then, a Broomfield stylist wants designers in Africa to get their due; she’s working to bring the modern looks of the Motherland to the Mile High and beyond.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield