Stephanie Elam Bids Farewell to CNN After More Than Two Decades
Veteran journalist Stephanie Elam has announced her departure from CNN after more than 20 years with the network, marking the end of a long and impactful career in broadcast journalism.
In a statement shared on Monday, April 20, Elam reflected on her journey, expressing pride in her extensive body of work. “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.”
Elam, 52, highlighted the wide range of roles she has taken on throughout her tenure, from live reporting to producing in-depth segments. She described her experience covering major global events as a privilege, noting that having “a front row seat to document history has been a gift.”
Most recently, Elam served as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Over the years, she also worked as a business news correspondent in New York and contributed to CNN’s sister platforms, including HLN and CNN International. She briefly worked at KNBC before returning to CNN in 2013.
During her career, Elam reported on several high-profile stories, including the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano and the deaths of global icons such as Michael Jackson and Prince. She also participated in lighter cultural moments, including ringing in the New Year with television personality Ariana Madix.
Before entering the media industry, Elam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from Howard University.
Her departure was acknowledged on-air by longtime colleague Sara Snider, who delivered an emotional tribute highlighting both their professional collaboration and personal friendship. Snider thanked Elam for her support during difficult times, calling her “a sister.”
CNN also issued an official statement praising Elam’s contributions. The network described her as a journalist who brought “clarity, credibility and heart” to her work and commended her ability to connect with audiences.
As Elam steps away from CNN, the network and her colleagues have expressed gratitude for her decades of service and wished her success in the next phase of her career.
