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.

231213-BLACK-NUTCRACKER-BALLERINA
Colorado Matters

Dec. 22, 2023: Dancer makes Colorado Ballet history as Clara; the story of an ‘American St. Nick’

For Sheridan Guerin, playing Clara in the Nutcracker is a dream come true as the first Black ballerina to do so in Colorado Ballet history. Then, a Broomfield man shares the story of his dad, Richard Brookins, who became known as the “American St. Nick” in the tiny town of Wiltz, Luxembourg in World War II and years after. And Denver singer/songwriter René Moffatt’s new song, “My First Christmas (without you).”
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Ballroom Culture
Colorado Matters

Dec. 14, 2023: Colorado working to ban ‘excited delirium’; In vogue with ballroom culture

As the third criminal trial related to the death of Elijah McClain continues, changes are happening statewide. A look at how law enforcement and lawmakers alike are working to ban so-called “Excited Delirium” here in Colorado. Then, did you know voguing was created by members of the Black and Latino queer community back in the 1960s? We hit the dance floor with Colorado’s ballroom scene.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Dec. 12, 2023: Wolf killings underscore reintroduction debate; Black quarterbacks tackle inclusivity

By state law, Colorado is required to release wolves into the wild by the end of the year. But a wolfpack that was already here is mostly gone, shot and killed across the border. What does that say about the reintroduction debate? And, Marlin Briscoe was the first Black quarterback in pro football with the Denver Broncos, but the challenges he faced were just the beginning.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
hip hop 50th anniversary Black Pegasus Old Man Saxon DJ Cavem Nikki Swarn
Colorado Matters

Nov. 30, 2023: Hip Hop Turns 50! Colorado’s place in this cultural phenomenon

Hip Hop marks a major milestone this year: its 50th anniversary! During that time, the musical genre has changed the world, influencing language, dance, education, politics, media, and so much more. But what is Colorado’s place in all of this? Chandra Thomas Whitfield asked some of the biggest players in our state to join her in-studio. Radio personality Amerykah Jones (Nikki Swarn) and rappers DJ Cavem (Ietef Vita), Old Man Saxon (Saxon Kincy) and Black Pegasus (Robert Houston II).
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield