Timberly Whitfield
Encyclopedia
Early life
Born in Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, her United Methodist Church lay missionary parents (who were also civil rights activists and Black Panthers) moved Whitfield and her brother to Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, when she was six. As a Swahili-speaking eight-year-old, Whitfield taught English to local Tanzanian children. The family later lived in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
.
Career
Whitfield began hosting the award-winning, magazine-style television series New Morning with Timberly Whitfield in 2002. The show ran for six seasons on Hallmark ChannelHallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
. On December 28, 2007, the show concluded its six-season run with its 541st episode. After that, Whitfield transitioned to the Internet where, at FaithStreams.com, she regularly posted her “Video Reflections.” She currently appears live on network affiliates around the country as a parenting expert and spokesperson for PLUS Media, a national marketing firm.
Whitfield appeared as a correspondent on Naomi’s New Morning, a talk show hosted by Naomi Judd
Naomi Judd
Naomi Judd is an American country music singer, songwriter, and activist.-Personal life:She was born Diana Ellen Judd to Charles Glen Judd and his wife Pauline Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky. Her father owned a gas station; her mother started out as a homemaker but later became a...
, which was broadcast by Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
from 2005 to 2007.
Whitfield graduated with a master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is one of Columbia's graduate and professional schools. It offers three degree programs: Master of Science in journalism , Master of Arts in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications...
, where she was honored with the John M. Patterson Award. Whitfield quickly rose in the industry. Her early credits (on both sides of the camera) include co-hosting The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
’s Field Trips USA and Year by Year for Kids, and interviewing celebrities (ranging from Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
and Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
to classical performing artists) for A&E Television Networks
A&E Television Networks
A&E Television Networks is a U.S. media company that owns a group of television channels available via cable & satellite in the US and abroad...
’ Breakfast with the Arts
Breakfast with the Arts
Breakfast with the Arts is a television program that aired on A&E from 1991 until 2007.Over the years, the show featured performances and interviews from all facets of the performing arts including rock, jazz, and classical, music, Broadway, film, dance, and books...
. For over seven years she served as programming executive and producer for several series on A&E
A&E Television Networks
A&E Television Networks is a U.S. media company that owns a group of television channels available via cable & satellite in the US and abroad...
.
Personal life
Whitfield is married to Robert Allen, a former lieutenant in the New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
.
Whitfield has been a vegetarian since she was nine years old.
In late 2007 she delivered a speech at the Green Festival in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
about the many different ways in which mainstream media have gone green.
Education
- Columbia UniversityColumbia UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, M.S. Journalism. - Clark Atlanta UniversityClark Atlanta UniversityClark Atlanta University is a private, historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was formed in 1988 with the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University...
, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, B.A. Mass Communications/Religion & Philosophy. - Schiller International UniversitySchiller International UniversitySchiller International University is a private American university with its main campus and administrative headquarters in Largo, Florida. It has campuses on two continents in five countries, each offering its own unique experiences to students: Largo; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Heidelberg,...
, Heidelberg, Germany, Exchange Student.
Television and Other Media
- All Together Now, ABC News NowABC News NowABC News Now is an American 24-hour news channel offered via digital television, broadband and streaming video at ABCNews.com and on mobile phones. It delivers breaking news, headline news each half hour, and wide range of entertainment and lifestyle programs. The channel is currently available in...
, hosted by Father Edward L. BeckEdward L. BeckEdward L. Beck, C.P. is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Passionist congregation. He is the author of three books, the executive producer of The Sunday Mass, as well as the host of the ABC television show, All Together Now on the ABC News Now network. The show airs nationally on Fridays...
, March 7, 2008: and - DarynKagan.com, “New Morning with Timberly Whitfield,” October 12, 2007.
- Meet The Faith, Black Entertainment TelevisionBlack Entertainment TelevisionBlack Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, “Black & Green,” hosted by Dr. Ian Smith, Fall 2007.
Press
- Savedge, Jenn. The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Living (interview), April 2008.
- Eversley, Melanie. “” Sister 2 Sister MagazineSister 2 SisterSister 2 Sister is a US four-color magazine that is published monthly devoted to the world of African-American entertainment. Jamie Foster Brown is the publisher....
, March 2008. - Weeks, Alexia. "There’s So Much Good Happening in the World,” Lifescape MagazineLifescape magazineLifescape is a glossy monthly magazine aimed mostly at women who want to live a more cruelty-free, healthy, green and interesting life. It is a colourful, upbeat and genuine alternative to other women's magazines available and is published by Madafu Publishing Ltd in London.The magazine covers fair...
, December 2007. - Paschal, Jan. “Her Destiny: Upbeat News,” Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Alumni Journal, Winter 2007.
- Bar Geffen, Linoy. “The Next Oprah,” Yedioth Acharonoth (Israeli newspaper), July 8, 2007.
- Holloway, Lynette R. “Fitness at Any Age,” Ebony MagazineEbony (magazine)Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
, July 2007. - Waldron, Clarence. "Timberly Whitfield: Host of Daily Show ‘New Morning’ on Hallmark Channel,” Jet Magazine, June 25, 2007.
- Ritchie, Kathy. "Faith, Race & Family,” Child MagazineChild (magazine)Child is a discontinued American parenting magazine founded by Jackie Leo and MaryAnn Sommers in 1986 and published through 2007. It was originally backed by Italian publishers, then sold to The New York Times Magazine Group which published it until 1995 along with its other women’s magazines,...
, June/July 2007. - Goldstein, Alison. “ B’nai B’rith Magazine, Summer 2007.
- Chapman-Mushnick, Melissa. “Defying Boundaries,” Lifestyles Magazine, Summer 2007.
Articles by Timberly Whitfield
- “” Positive Thinking MagazinePositive Thinking MagazinePositive Thinking Magazine was launched in 2005 as a secular subsidiary of Guideposts.Its title is based on the book "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale.Its editorial offices are in New York City....
, January/February 2008. - “ Spirituality & Health, March/April 2007.