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.

AGING-MATTERS-CATHY-SENA
Colorado Matters

Aging Matters special, ‘Portraits in Aging’ looks Coloradans living and thriving in this season of their lives

As America marks its 250th birthday and Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood in 2026, this special episode of Colorado Matters turns its focus to a population growing older alongside both. Today, we hear from everyday Coloradans who are part of the state’s fastest-growing group, people ages 65 and older. Their personal reflections are featured in a sub-series of our ongoing Aging Matters series, called “Portraits in Aging.” Host Chandra Thomas Whitfield takes a closer look at what life is like for older adults across Colorado, exploring how they are living, aging and thriving at this stage of life in their own words.
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

Jan. 2, 2026: Legacy of Cherry Creek: Growing Up Black in Denver’s Transforming Neighborhood

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 past spring. It was hosted by Arapahoe 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: Former Denver County Judge Gary Jackson; his uncle, Warren Scott, a retired U.S. Post Office Manager; Trudi Morrison, a retired lawyer and former Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate; and Cleo Parker Robinson, the renowned founder and artistic director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
KATRINA SURVIVOR HENRY BATISTE
Colorado Matters

Dec. 31, 2025: Remembering a milestone year with Coloradans who survived Hurricane Katrina

As 2025 draws to a close, we revisit the stories of four people who now call Colorado home. They have a common bond: They all survived the American tragedy known as Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans 20 years ago and remains one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. They share their journey from Louisiana to Colorado and how it forever shaped their lives, in a Colorado Matters special: “After the Storm: Reflections on Hurricane Katrina.”
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
2023 Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza
Colorado Matters

Dec. 26, 2025: A Kwanzaa extravaganza and a singer who lives the principles everyday!

This is the first day of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African American culture and heritage along with seven guiding principles, such as unity, purpose, and self-determination. Light the kinara with us as we share some of our favorite Kwanzaa memories from our annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganzas! Plus, Chandra’s conversation from August with Denver musical artist Such, whose passion to help others has been a guiding principle in her life.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Just a small handful of the 700 cards and letters 92-year-old Angela Lee has received
Colorado Matters

Dec. 16, 2025: Aging Matters: From the gift of time to decluttering, avoiding scams and the love of letters

In this Aging Matters special, if you have an older person in your life, or you’re just stumped in general about what to give a loved one this holiday season, have you considered the gift of time? Then, how to avoid scams that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Later, when it comes to downsizing, how do you get rid of decades of stuff? Plus, “Love for our Elders” relieves loneliness through letter writing.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Photo shows a bald man with glasses and a beard smiling in a lime green shirt. He his holding a pencil sketch in front of him of a farm truck filled with pumpkins parked in front of a barn.
Colorado Matters

Dec. 11, 2025: Working to ease vaccination confusion; Art as healing and rehabilitation

As the federal government rolls back vaccination recommendations, where does that leave Coloradans, especially the parents of young children? We hear from a pediatrician and the state epidemiologist, who are working to address confusion — and provide clarity. Then, art, as a form of healing and rehabilitation. Plus, a local grassroots non-profit celebrates 20 years working to keep Africa on the minds of Coloradans. And it’s a music Hall of Fame moment for Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Colorado Matters

Dec. 4, 2025: Protecting children from social media harm; Venezuelans living in the shadows

Protecting children from the harmful side of social media has been a years-long fight, but Congress may finally be taking action. Today we hear about one mother’s determination to bring change in memory of her daughter. Then, they followed the rules set up by the federal government, but still face deportation. It’s just one development in the immigration debate affecting thousands of people in Colorado. And, he’s the only Colorado native to play in the Negro Baseball League. Now, a century later he finally gets his due.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
SACRED-LAND-BACK
Colorado Matters

Dec. 2, 2025: ‘Witness at Sand Creek’; Changing vision for Colorado’s public lands

It’s one of the darkest moments in Colorado history: the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Today, through the letters he wrote, we learn about a man who refused to take part: Capt. Silas Soule. Then, from oil and gas drilling to cattle grazing and conservation, the issues facing public lands in Colorado under the Trump administration. And for Aging Matters, free help clearing sidewalks thanks to the Snow Buddies.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
SCULPTOR ED DWIGHT
Colorado Matters

Nov. 27, 2025: From astronaut to artist, Ed Dwight reflects on a journey making history as he turns 92

A remarkable Coloradan – and an American pioneer – celebrated his 92nd birthday in September. Ed Dwight was the first Black man to be selected for astronaut training more than 60 years ago. And six decades later, he became the oldest person to go to space. Dwight’s history-making didn’t stop there. He went on to become a celebrated artist, sculpting important monuments to Black legends. His body of work appears in Denver and at memorials across the country, and in museums like the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Photo shows a man holding a toddler boy to the left of a woman holding a young girl. They are all smiling at the camera for a family portrait.
Colorado Matters

Nov. 25, 2025: Creating community for transracial adoptees; A remarkable journey on and off the slopes

November is National Adoption Month. Today, how one Colorado organization is supporting families through the beauty and complexity of transracial adoption and creating a sense of belonging and safety for adoptees and their parents too. Then, a Colorado Wonders question about accountability after wildfires. And Colorado Hall of Fame skier Bob Meserve’s remarkable journey on and off the slopes as a pioneering adaptive athlete.
By Chandra Thomas Whitfield