NPR announced Monday that journalist Lori Lizarraga will become a co-host of Code Switch.
Lizarraga began at NPR Monday and will debut on the radio show and podcast about race and identity later this year. She will co-host along with founding host Gene Demby, NPR Senior Correspondent Karen Grigsby Bates, and B.A. Parker, who joined the team in July.
“As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, I can’t say enough what an honor and privilege it is to be joining the dedicated Code Switch team at NPR,” Lizarraga said in a press release.
Lizarraga is an award-winning journalist who previously worked for KUSA-TV in Denver and KGET/Telemundo in Bakersfield, Calif. After KUSA declined to renew her contract last year, Lizarraga wrote about discrimination that she and two of her Latina colleagues faced in the station’s newsroom. Her article sparked changes at the station’s parent company and national coverage, including by NPR’s David Folkenflik. She has since worked as a freelancer, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“Lori brings an energy and passion to her reporting, and a broad interest in all kinds of stories that will really add to the range and depth in our coverage,” Steve Drummond, EP of Code Switch and NPR Education, said in the release. “We’re thrilled to have her on the team.”
“For years, I have introduced myself as a ‘race and culture reporter’ when the truth is where there are people there is race and culture,” Lizarraga said in the release. “This beat is in everything and the folks at Code Switch have pioneered an entire award-winning show proving, year after year, diverse stories told by diverse people are essential for everyone.”