Micah Materre WGN-TV, Bio, Age, Husband, Career, Salary & Net Worth

Who Is Micah Materre?| Biography

Micah Materre is an Emmy Award-winning American journalist and longtime television news anchor. She built a respected broadcasting career in Chicago after starting in radio journalism. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Materre developed an interest in journalism at an early age.

She later attended Drake University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Radio and Television in 1983. After college, Materre began her professional career at WBEZ, Chicago’s public radio station. She worked as an intern and later became a producer for several programs.

However, she soon pursued television broadcasting. She joined KCRG-TV in Iowa, where she worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Later, she moved to Detroit and spent several years reporting and anchoring for Fox 2 News. In January 1998, Materre joined WGN-TV in Chicago. She initially worked as a morning news co-anchor and medical reporter.

Over the years, she took on increasingly prominent roles at the station. She later co-anchored the WGN Midday News before moving to evening newscasts. Materre also covered major national events during her career. Her reporting included the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s first Black president.

Her journalism career has earned significant recognition. She won an Emmy Award and received additional honors for her contributions to broadcasting. Beyond television, Materre has balanced journalism with family life. She is married to Kelvin Jackson, a WGN videographer, and they have children.

Micah Materre remains closely associated with Chicago television news. Her decades-long career reflects persistence, versatility, and commitment to journalism.

Micah Materre Age | How Old Is Micah Materre?

Micah Materre is 63 years old as of 2026. She was born on November 9, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. She joined WGN-TV in 1998 after working in radio and television journalism. Over the years, Micah Materre became a familiar face on Chicago television. She has anchored major newscasts and covered important stories across the city. Additionally, her career has earned recognition, including an Emmy Award. Despite her long career, Materre continues contributing to WGN-TV’s journalism coverage. Recent records also show her reporting for WGN in 2026.

Micah Materre Height | How Tall Is Micah Materre?

Micah Materre stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. Her reported height places her at an average stature for an American woman. The WGN-TV journalist has maintained a polished on-screen presence throughout her long broadcasting career. Her career highlights her influence within Chicago broadcast journalism.

Micah Materre Ethnicity | What ethnicity is Micah Materre?

Micah Materre is African American. She is an American journalist and longtime television news anchor based in Chicago. Her African American heritage forms an important part of her identity and public profile. Throughout her career, Materre has covered stories involving Black culture, history, and communities in Chicago. She has also hosted programming that highlights African American issues and achievements. Additionally, her journalism has explored stories connected to Chicago’s diverse communities. Micah Materre’s ethnicity is African American, while her nationality is American. She has built a respected career in television journalism while maintaining strong connections to the communities she serves. Her work continues to reflect her experience as a prominent African American journalist in Chicago.

Micah Materre Education

Micah Materre attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she pursued journalism. She enrolled in 1979 and graduated in 1983. Materre earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Radio and Television. Her college education provided a strong foundation for her broadcasting career. After graduating, Materre began building her journalism experience through radio broadcasting. She later expanded her skills through additional journalism coursework at Northwestern University. This experience helped strengthen her understanding of television news and reporting. Consequently, her education played an important role in preparing her for a successful career. Micah Materre is recognized as an accomplished Chicago journalist and television anchor.

Micah Materre Husband | Is Micah Materre Married?

Micah Materre is married to Kelvin Jackson, a television videographer and editor. The couple married in June 1995 after becoming engaged earlier that year. Jackson has worked behind the scenes in television production, including videography and editing. Materre and Jackson have built a long-lasting marriage while pursuing careers in the television industry. The couple also has two children, Louis and McKenzie. Materre has previously spoken warmly about balancing her demanding journalism career with family life. Meanwhile, Jackson has supported her professional journey throughout her long career in Chicago broadcasting. Their marriage has lasted for more than three decades.

Micah Materre Children | Does Micah Materre have Children?

Micah Materre has two children, Louis and McKenzie, with her husband, Kelvin Jackson. The couple has kept their family life relatively private while raising their children in Chicago. Louis is Micah’s son, while McKenzie is her daughter. Earlier family reports highlighted their achievements during their school years. Louis participated in football and track and field, while McKenzie developed an interest in music.

Moreover, Micah has spoken about balancing her demanding journalism career with motherhood. She wanted to remain present for her children despite her busy television schedule. As of 2026, both children are adults and maintain a private life away from their mother’s television career. Therefore, Micah Materre’s children remain an important part of her personal life. Meanwhile, she continues her long-standing career in Chicago television journalism.

Micah Materre Family | Parents and Sibling

Micah Materre comes from a close-knit Chicago family with strong ties to education, business, music, and community service. Her parents were Louis Francis Materre and Vera Jeanne Materre. Her father, Louis, worked as a businessman and insurance broker in Chicago. Earlier, he operated paint stores before building his own insurance agency. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Louis died in April 2018 at age 91.

Meanwhile, Micah’s mother, Vera, worked as a teacher and school administrator. She also enjoyed a career as a jazz singer before focusing on her family. Vera died on January 1, 2026, at age 95. Micah grew up with siblings Daryl Materre and Gloria Materre. Her parents also had Louis Materre Jr., who was their stepson. Therefore, family remains an important part of Micah Materre’s life and personal background.

Micah Materre Career | WGN-TV, Journalism and Professional Life

Micah Materre has built a distinguished career in American television journalism, especially in Chicago news broadcasting. She began her journalism career after college at WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR affiliate. Initially, she worked as an intern before becoming a radio producer for several programs. Later, Materre pursued additional journalism training at Northwestern University. She also secured an internship at WBBM-TV, which helped her transition from radio into television journalism.

Her first television reporting position came at KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There, she worked as a reporter and eventually handled fill-in anchor duties. In 1988, Materre joined Fox 2 News in Detroit. She initially worked as a reporter before advancing to an anchor position during her years there. However, her biggest career move came when she returned to Chicago and joined WGN-TV.

She joined WGN in 1998 and became one of the station’s prominent anchors. Over the years, Materre has anchored major newscasts and hosted People to People, a program highlighting Black communities and culture. As of 2026, Materre remains active at WGN-TV, anchoring major evening broadcasts. Recent coverage also lists her among WGN’s leading evening anchors. Her career reflects decades of experience, persistence, and leadership in Chicago television journalism.

Micah Materre Awards

Micah Materre has earned recognition for her work as a television journalist and WGN-TV anchor. Her awards history includes Emmy recognition for her reporting and television productions. Some notable Micah Materre awards and honors include:

• Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Chicago’s Very Own: Soul Food, where she served as producer.
• Chicago/Midwest Emmy recognition for People to People, WGN-TV’s long-running public affairs program.
• Chicago/Midwest Emmy nomination for her reporting on Rev. Jesse Jackson Remembers MLK Assassination.
• Chicago/Midwest Emmy recognition for reporting on Celebrating Timuel Black.

Additionally, Materre has continued receiving Emmy consideration for her work at WGN-TV. Recent entries include The Great Migration: How a Chicago Newspaper Shaped the Nation and African American Debutante Cotillion Culture. Therefore, her awards and nominations reflect her contributions to Chicago journalism, public affairs, and community storytelling.

Micah Materre Salary

Micah Materre’s salary is estimated between $80,000 and $120,000 per year. Her estimated earnings reflect her extensive experience in television journalism and broadcasting. She has worked at WGN-TV since 1998, where she has built a respected career as a news anchor and journalist. Over the years, Materre has covered major Chicago stories, special assignments, and community-focused topics. Additionally, she hosts People to People, which highlights African American communities and important social issues. Therefore, her long experience and prominent role in Chicago television contribute to her estimated annual salary.

Micah Materre Net Worth

Micah Materre’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $5 million. Her financial standing reflects decades of work in television journalism and broadcasting. Since joining WGN-TV in 1998, Materre has established herself as one of Chicago’s experienced news personalities. Over the years, she has worked as an anchor, reporter, and host. She also contributes to public affairs programming through People to People. Additionally, Materre has taken part in community events and civic activities throughout Chicago. These professional engagements have added to her income over the course of her career. Her lengthy broadcasting career provides the foundation for her estimated wealth.

Biography Summary Table