Senior CorrespondentStephanie Elam is closing a meaningful chapter in her career, stepping away from CNN after more than two decades with the network. Variety reported on April 10 that Elam, who most recently reported from Los Angeles, shared the update on social media, reflecting on her time at the network while leaving her next steps open.
Throughout her career, Stephanie Elam covered a wide range of stories, from major natural events like the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano to significant cultural moments such as the death of music icon Prince.
Stephanie Elam Reflects on Two Decades at CNN: ‘I’m So Proud of My Career’
GettyAs per Elam’s message published by Variety, she wrote: “For more than 20 years I’ve been in the CNN orbit developing and delivering news stories on everything from the environment and entertainment to business and breaking news of all kinds,” she said.
“I’m so proud of my CNN career. Live or taped, writing packages or doing a show-and-tell, I’ve done it all, and having a front row seat to document history has been a gift.”
Elam also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from Howard University.
According to Elam’s LinkedIn, before joining CNN, she kick-started her journalism career in New York as a copy editor for Dow Jones Newswires, then moved to Bridge News.
She later covered corporate earnings for PBS’s “Nightly Business Report” and anchored “Market on the Close” for WebFN. Her early work also included hosting “First Business” and co-hosting “Black Enterprise Report,” a program centered on business and financial education.
A Career Spanning Two Decades at CNN: Reporting on Major Moments and Cultural Milestones
Elam’s career at CNN spanned two distinct chapters. She first joined the network as a New York-based business correspondent, reporting for CNN, HLN, and CNN International from 2003 to 2011.
During that time, she covered major financial shifts and significant breaking news, including Michael Jackson’s death.
After a period at KNBC, Elam returned to CNN in 2013, continuing to report across a wide range of stories with the same versatility that defined her earlier work.
In a statement published by Variety, CNN reflected on her impact at the network.
“Stephanie brought clarity, credibility, and heart to every story she touched over her two decades at CNN. Her versatility and natural ability to connect with audiences made her a trusted voice and a valued colleague,” the network said.
“We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her continued success in her next chapter.”
Elam’s departure comes at a time of ongoing changes within CNN. In a separate move, early-morning anchor Rahel Solomon announced plans to leave the network earlier this year.
