CNN continues to lead the path as a top broadcaster where diversity and inclusion thrive. The broadcaster continues to hire top male and female journalists, including black female reporters.
Here’s a list of 15 brilliant CNN black female reporters to know in 2024.
1. Melissa Knowles
- Date of Birth: 23rd January 1982
- Age: 42
- Place of Birth: Houston, Texas
- Current Role: CNN Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@knowlesitall), X (@knowlesitall)
Melissa Knowles has previously wanted to follow in her folks’ footsteps and become a lawyer. But luck came calling soon after graduating from SMU when she got a big break on TV. Knowles became an anchor for Channel One News, and that launched her into the world of journalism.
At the moment, she is a CNN Correspondent for the ‘Morning Express with Robin Meade’ and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Knowles has also worked at Yahoo! News, where she hosted ‘Trending Now.’
2. Audie Cornish
- Date of Birth: 9th October 1979
- Age: 44
- Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts
- Current Role: CNN Anchor and Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@audieoffmic), X (AudieCornish)
Audie Cornish continues to enjoy an illustrious career at CNN, where she is an Anchor and Correspondent. She also hosts an audio podcast ‘The Assignment with Audie Cornish.’
Cornish began her career in journalism in 2001 when she joined the Associated Press in Boston. Next, she joined radio in 2002 as part of the team at WBUR. She continues her passion for audio content at CNN, and her podcast won ‘Best News & Politics’ and ‘Best Interview Podcast’ in 2023.
3. Zain Ejiofor Asher
- Date of Birth: 27th August 1983
- Age: 40
- Place of Birth: London, United Kingdom
- Current Role: CNN Anchor
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@zainashercnn), X (ZainAsher)
London-born Zain Asher, who has Nigerian parents, is a CNN News Anchor for CNN International. She is based in New York and anchors ‘One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga.’
Asher went to Oxford University, where she studied French and Spanish. She’s served as a CNN business correspondent after joining the broadcaster from MONEY magazine.
4. Nima Elbagir
- Date of Birth: 20th July 1978
- Age: 45
- Place of Birth: Khartoum, Sudan
- Current Role: Chief International Investigative Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@nimaelbagir), X (@nimaelbagir)
Nima Elbagir is a multi-award-winning Chief International Investigative Correspondent who joined CNN in 2011. Her journalism career began in 2002, reporting from Sudan. Elbagir was among the first journalists who gave coverage from inside war-torn Darfur.
From then on, her investigative skills have grown as she covered war in various parts of the world. Her courage led to her winning the Courage in Journalism Award in 2018.
5. Rene Marsh
- Date of Birth: 17th April 1982
- Age: 43
- Place of Birth: Queens, New York
- Current Role: National Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@rene_marshcnn), X (@Rene_MarshCNN)
Rene Marsh has been part of CNN since 2012 and has since reported on several high-profile assignments. Her most notable assignment was Trump’s administration’s travel ban barring citizens from 7 Muslim countries from entering the US for 90 days.
Marsh holds a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University’s SI Newhouse School of Public Communications.
6. Abby Phillip
- Date of Birth: 25th November 1988
- Age: 35
- Place of Birth: Alexandria, Virginia
- Current Role: Anchor and Senior Political Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@abby.phillips), X (@abbydphillip)
Abby Phillip kicked off her journalism career as a White House reporter covering campaign finance and lobbying. She joined CNN in 2017, and her first assignment was covering the Trump Administration.
In 2023, Phillip was named the permanent host of CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.
7. Isha Isatu Sesay
- Date of Birth: 6th January 1976
- Age: 48
- Place of Birth: London, England
- Current Role: Anchor and Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@iamishasesay), X (@IshaSesay)
Though born in London, Isha Sesay returned with her parents to Sierra Leone at the age of 7 and would later join Fourah Bay College. She moved back to the UK at 16 for further studies to become a television journalist. Her career at CNN began in 2008 when she joined as an anchor and correspondent.
8. Lauren E. Lee
- Date of Birth: 21st August 1983
- Age: 40
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan
- Current Role: Journalist and Producer
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@laurenleetv), X (@LaurenLeeTV)
Lauren Lee joined CNN in 2011 and is a producer and journalist with CNN International Productions. Lee studied Broadcast Journalism and Pan-African studies at Kent State University. Currently, she produces cross-platform content for CNN International.
9. Nia Malika Henderson
- Date of Birth: 7th July 1974
- Age: 49
- Place of Birth: Hopkins, South Carolina
- Current Role: Senior Political Analyst
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@niamalika), X (@niamalikah)
Nia Malika Henderson is a graduate of Duke University, where she studied literature and cultural anthropology. Her journalism career began in 2005 when she joined Newsday. She later joined CNN in 2015 and is now a senior political analyst.
10. Rahel Solomon
- Date of Birth: 4th October 1988
- Age: 35
- Place of Birth: Sudan, Africa
- Current Role: Anchor and Business Correspondent
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@rahelsolomon), X (@RahelSolomonCNN)
CNN Business Correspondent Rahel Solomon is based in New York and anchors ‘CNN Newsroom with Rahel Solomon.’ In addition, Solomon covers economic and business news for CNN. She joined CNN from CNBC, where she was working as a general news reporter.
11. Richelle Carey
- Date of Birth: 13th October 1971
- Age: 52
- Place of Birth: Houston, Texas
- Current Role: Anchor
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@richellecarey), X (@RichelleCarey)
Richelle Carey has a degree in telecommunications from Baylor University. She serves as a CNN anchor and hosts ‘What Matters’ on HLN. She joined HLN from KMOV, where she was an anchor on ‘News 4 This Morning.’
12. Symone Sanders
- Date of Birth: 10th December 1989
- Age: 34
- Place of Birth: Omaha, Nebraska
- Current Role: Strategist and CNN Political Commentator
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@symonedsanders), X (@SymoneDSanders)
CNN strategist and political commentator Symone Sanders continues to shine as she works as a strategist for Communications and Political Outreach at Priorities USA. Sanders also worked as the national press secretary for US Senator Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign.
13. Laura Coates
- Date of Birth: 11th July 1980
- Age: 43
- Place of Birth: Twin Cities, Minnesota
- Current Role: Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@thelauracoates), X (@thelauracoates)
CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst anchors ‘Laura Coates Live’ weeknights at 11pmET. She’s a graduate of Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs and the University of Minnesota Law. Coated joined CNN in 2016 and has been nominated for an Emmy.
14. Stephanie Busari
- Date of Birth: 12th August 1977
- Age: 46
- Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria
- Current Role: Journalist and Editor
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@stephbusari), X (@StephanieBusari)
Stephanie Busari is a Journalist and Editor for CNN Worldwide and heads the Nigeria bureau. She’s the brains behind CNN’s first digital and multiplatform bureau. Busari oversees CNN’s digital editorial and operations in Africa.
15. Sarah Sidner
- Date of Birth: 31st May 1972
- Age: 51
- Place of Birth: Miami Lakes, Florida
- Current Role: Anchor
- Social Media Handles: Instagram (@sarasidnertv), X (@sarasidnerCNN)
Sara Sidner is a co-anchor of CNN News Central and is based in New York City. She began her career as an anchor and reporter at local TV stations in Missouri, San Francisco, Florida, and Dallas. Sidner would later join CNN and is a winner of a regional Emmy Award.
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