The Faith And Heritage: Unpacking Rahel Solomon's Ethiopian-American Religious Background

The question of Rahel Solomon's religious affiliation is a topic of significant curiosity, largely driven by her high-profile position as a CNN anchor and her proud, yet private, Ethiopian-American heritage. As of December 10, 2025, the journalist has not made a definitive public statement explicitly detailing her personal religious beliefs or denomination.

However, an in-depth look at her family's background, cultural traditions, and the broader Ethiopian diaspora provides a rich context for understanding the spiritual landscape she was raised in. Her life story is a powerful example of how faith and culture intertwine, with her Ethiopian roots offering the strongest clues to the religious traditions that may have shaped her personal and professional journey.

Rahel Solomon: Biography, Career, and Ethiopian Roots

Rahel Solomon is a celebrated Sudanese-American television journalist known for her sharp reporting on business and general news. She currently serves as an anchor on CNN, notably co-hosting the network’s morning program, *Early Start*.

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• Full Name: Rahel G. Solomon
• Date of Birth: October 4, 1988
• Place of Birth: Sudan
• Parents/Origin: Born to parents of Ethiopian origin. Her family moved to the United States when she was three years old, settling in West Philadelphia, PA.
• Education: She is a graduate of St. John's University, where she earned a degree in 2010.
• Career Highlights: Before joining CNN, Solomon was a general news reporter at CNBC, appearing on programs like *The News with Shepard Smith*. She also previously worked at CBS3 in Philadelphia.
• Husband: She is married to lawyer Marcel S. Pratt, the former City Solicitor of Philadelphia.

Her move from Sudan to the Ethiopian diaspora community in West Philadelphia has been a defining factor in her identity. She has often spoken about the importance of her heritage and the influence of her Ethiopian parents on her life and career.

The Cultural Context: Ethiopian Heritage and Probable Faith Traditions

The core of the "Rahel Solomon religion" inquiry lies in the deep-seated religious traditions of her Ethiopian background. While she maintains privacy regarding her personal faith, her cultural heritage points toward a few dominant spiritual pathways.

The Dominance of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity

In Ethiopia and among the global Ethiopian diaspora, the most numerous religious group is the Christian faith. Specifically, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is a central pillar of Ethiopian culture and identity, representing one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

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For many Ethiopian-American families, the Orthodox Church serves not only as a place of worship but also as a vital community hub for preserving language, traditions, and cultural identity. The presence of numerous Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches across the United States, including in major diaspora centers like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and New Jersey, underscores the enduring influence of this faith. Given the strength of this tradition, it is the most likely religious background for a prominent Ethiopian-American family.

The Nuance of the Ethiopian Diaspora

While Orthodox Christianity is dominant, the Ethiopian diaspora is not monolithic. Other significant religious groups that are part of the Ethiopian-American landscape include:

• Protestant Christianity: Various Evangelical and Pentecostal churches have a growing presence within the community.
• Islam: A significant minority of Ethiopians adhere to Islam, another major Abrahamic religion in the country.
• Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews): Although a smaller group, the history of the Beta Israel community is a notable part of the broader Ethiopian narrative, famously highlighted by Operation Solomon.

The fact that Rahel Solomon’s family name is 'Solomon'—a name with biblical and historical significance in Ethiopia (linked to the Solomonic Dynasty)—is a cultural marker, but not a definitive religious one, as the name is common across Christian and Jewish Ethiopian communities.

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A Celebration of Shared Cultures: Rahel and Marcel Pratt’s Wedding

Further insight into Rahel Solomon's commitment to her heritage comes from her wedding to Marcel S. Pratt. The couple’s celebration was a two-day event designed to honor "all aspects of the couple's shared cultures".

The second day of the celebration featured a cultural reception known as a “Melse” (sometimes spelled *Melas*). The Melse is a traditional Ethiopian wedding reception, often held the day after the main ceremony, that is rich with Ethiopian food, music, and traditional attire.

The inclusion of the Melse underscores her deep connection to her Ethiopian roots and the desire to integrate those traditions into her new family life. While the wedding details highlight cultural pride, the focus on "shared cultures" rather than a single, specific religious ceremony suggests a personal approach to faith that respects both her and her husband's backgrounds. Marcel S. Pratt, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer, was born and raised in West Philadelphia, adding a different, yet complementary, layer to their union.

Topical Authority and Conclusion

In the absence of a direct public statement, the most informed conclusion is that Rahel Solomon’s spiritual life is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Ethiopian-American community. Her professional success on major networks like CNBC and CNN has made her a highly visible figure in the media landscape, and her personal choice to keep her specific religious denomination private is a common practice among public figures.

What is clear is her unwavering commitment to her Ethiopian heritage, which is a powerful cultural force. Whether she practices Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity, a form of Protestantism, or another faith, her identity is a testament to the rich and complex tapestry of the Ethiopian diaspora in America, particularly in cities like West Philadelphia. Her story is a modern narrative of success built on the foundation of a proud, ancient culture.