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.

The four Wells family children and their cousin pose outside a sign in a community in Mexico.
Colorado Matters

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.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Members of the Wells family seated at a table in Mexico.
Colorado Matters

For this Denver family, worldschooling was a life-changing adventure and opportunity

For Marlon and Jouanna Wells of Denver, the chance to spend four months in Mexico with their four children and two cousins was a chance to break from the routine of daily life and give their family a unique experience to learn while immersed in another culture. Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with the Wells family about their worldschooling experience and their advice for others who want to try it, but might be hesitant to do so.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Angela Heisten, Annika Paradise, and Julie Frieder seen in front of a lake. They co-authored "Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling."
Colorado Matters

Making the world a classroom for your children

Worldschooling is when when families, usually those with school-age children, leave their day-to-day lives to live abroad or in another part of the country or a community, using the world as a classroom. Julie Frieder co-authored the book, “Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family and Worldschooling” with fellow Boulder moms Angela Heisten and Annika Paradise.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Sherie Simonsen, 65, sits in a chair in her Denver home. She received free mental health counseling sessions from the Colorado Gerontological Society to help her cope with grief after her mother’s death.
Colorado Matters

Aug. 22, 2024: Aging and mental health; A healthcare victory for veterans who served at K2

As people age, physical health is often top of mind, and mental health is overlooked. For “Aging Matters on Colorado Matters,” we’ll talk about ways to cope with the Colorado Gerontological Society, a nonprofit that offers support programs for older adults including free mental health counseling. Then, what’s it like to be a Colorado delegate at the DNC? And, victory for veterans fighting for medical benefits after serving at the K2 military base in Uzbekistan. And a unique trail of dinosaur tracks!
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Election 2024 DNC
Colorado Matters

Aug. 20, 2024: DNC delegates have new hope for election; Teachers union head on school year ahead

By day, Colorado’s convention delegates attend meetings to get motivated for the long election season. At night, they hear from the party’s most prominent leaders. Then, as kids return to school the head of the Colorado Education Association outlines the challenges and opportunities ahead. Also, exposure to the sun can be extra hard for people with darker skin. And, why Colorado raised the drinking age.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Aug. 13, 2024: Aging Matters on avoiding real estate scams; How sports benefit kids beyond the game

What’s next now that former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters has been convicted on seven charges connected to breaching election system security? Then, “Aging Matters” on how to avoid real estate scams. Plus, working through challenges to harvest Olathe sweet corn. Also, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on bird flu in Colorado. And how Project Play is working to make sports accessible to all kids.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Aug. 8, 2024: New election challenge for county clerks; Ballroom culture makes its mark in Colorado

Colorado’s county clerks have been fighting back against disinformation and election lies for years. But this election, there’s a twist — Artificial Intelligence — and they’re training to ensure election integrity, before and after the vote. Then, ballroom culture has been sweeping the nation — and the world — for more than 40 years. How the spirit of the LGBTQ sub-culture that originated in New York City in the 1960s is shaping pop culture globally today, and making its mark here in Colorado. Plus, finding the right tree for your yard.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
A cyclist in a blue kit wearing an aerodynamic white helmet with blut-tinted visor and Team USA shorts rides from left-to-right on a wooden velodrome track while.
Colorado Matters

Aug. 6, 2024: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on the challenges ahead; Meet Olympic cyclist Olivia Cummins

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is optimistic as he takes on the high cost of housing, reducing homelessness and rebuilding trust with the police. Then, a job fair that helps people with felony records start over. Plus, meet Colorado cyclist Olivia Cummins as she makes her Olympic debut and celebrates her birthday at the same time. And Aging Matters looks at the importance of advance medical planning.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

The fight to ensure scouting is inclusive to all children, leaders

The stated mission of the Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America, is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” But what happens when an organization founded on those principles is accused of turning its back on an entire group of people, leading to a legal battle for change?
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

July 18, 2024: How big a concern is the bird flu?; Opening the great outdoors to Colorado preschoolers

The headlines may sound alarming: at least six human cases of bird flu in Colorado. We’ll get some context about what that means. Then, Colorado is unique in the nation when it comes to teaching preschoolers outdoors. We’ll hear why that can improve their ability to learn. Plus, embracing wellness at a farmer’s market that works to eliminate food deserts. And we go on a stravage to benefit the body and the mind.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield