Stephon Dingle Biography: Award-Winning Anchor & Reporter at WJZ CBS News Baltimore
Stephon Dingle is a two-time Emmy Award-winning news anchor and reporter at WJZ | CBS News Baltimore. A Baltimore City native, Dingle joined WJZ in October 2022, marking a return to his hometown station.
Dingle anchors the weekend evening newscasts alongside Amy Kawata and co-hosts the weekly Health Watch segment with medical editor Dr. Leana Wen.
His work at WJZ includes reporting on local news, community issues, and health-related topics, often highlighting stories that impact the Baltimore region.
Early Life & Education:
- Born on Easter Sunday in 1989 and raised in Baltimore City, specifically in Park Heights.
- Largely raised by his late grandmother, Sheila Plato, who instilled in him a passion for helping people and a “nose for news.”
- Attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School (Class of 2008), where he was a three-sport athlete (baseball, volleyball, basketball) and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, becoming a first-generation college graduate. He was also a college baseball player.
- Received a Master of Science from the prestigious Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.
Career:
- His connection to WJZ goes back to 2011 when he was a sports broadcast intern at the station.
- Before returning to WJZ, he gained experience anchoring and reporting in other markets, including Charlottesville, Virginia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Louisville, Kentucky.
- He joined WJZ in October 2022, marking a “welcome back home” to his native city.
- At WJZ, he serves as a Baltimore County reporter and also has anchoring duties.
- He has covered significant stories throughout his career, including historic flooding, the Kentucky Derby, severe weather events, and social unrest following the death of Breonna Taylor, which earned him two Emmy Awards.
Personal & Community Involvement:
- He is passionate about mentoring young people and is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
- He credits his upbringing in Baltimore and the support systems he had (like the Bridges program) for his success, and he is committed to giving back to his community.
Dingle has been recognized for his journalistic contributions, notably receiving a 2022 Chesapeake Bay AP Award for his reporting on a local nonprofit supporting women in need.
In his personal time, he enjoys exploring Baltimore’s neighborhoods, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Age:
Stephon Dingle was born on Easter Sunday on March 26, 1989, making him 36 years old as of 2025.
His zodiac sign is Aries, as Easter typically falls in late March or April. He is African American and holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings:
Stephon Dingle was born and raised in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore City, Maryland.
A proud Baltimore native, he often credits his upbringing in the city for shaping his deep connection to community-focused journalism.
One of the most influential figures in his early life was his grandmother, Sheila Plato, who would wake him up each morning to watch WJZ’s Don Scott and Marty Bass.
Those early moments in front of the television sparked his passion for broadcast journalism and planted the seeds for his future career.
While Stephon has not publicly shared detailed information about his parents or whether he has siblings, he has spoken about the strong role his family played in instilling values of perseverance, integrity, and service.
As a first-generation college graduate, he often reflects on the support and sacrifices of his loved ones as key to his success.
Wife:
Stephon Dingle is married to Catherine Tolentino, affectionately known as Cathy.
The couple got married in 2020, following a memorable proposal that was even featured by his former news station, WLKY.
Their relationship reflects a strong foundation of love and mutual support, which has remained steady through the demands of Stephon’s journalism career.
Together, they have a daughter named Devyn, who brings joy and inspiration to their lives.
Stephon occasionally shares heartfelt moments from his family life, expressing pride in fatherhood and gratitude for the balance his family brings to his professional journey.
While the family previously lived in Louisville, Kentucky, during his time at WLKY, they now reside in Baltimore, Maryland, where Stephon continues his work as an anchor and reporter at WJZ.
Height:
Stephon Dingle is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is about 1.73 meters. Based on his build and height, his weight is estimated to be between 160 and 170 pounds, or roughly 72 to 77 kilograms.
Career and Background:
Graduated high school from Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Class of 2008), starred in baseball and other sports.
Earned a B.A. in History from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he was the first in his family to graduate college. Holds a Master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School.
Began as a sports intern at WJZ in 2011, later working behind-the-scenes at News12 Bronx and Inside Edition.On-air career path: WCAV in Charlottesville, then Birmingham, Alabama; Louisville, Kentucky (morning and then evening anchor); since October 2022, reporter and anchor at WJZ‑CBS Baltimore. Member of NABJ and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; active mentor in his community.
Early Career:
In 2011, Stephon Dingle began his broadcasting journey as a sports intern at WJZ-TV in Baltimore, working under veteran sportscaster Mark Viviano.
This formative experience ignited his passion for journalism and laid the foundation for his career in television news.
CBS19 News – Charlottesville, Virginia:
He served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at CBS19 News. During his time there, he covered significant local and national stories, including the high-profile abduction and murder of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham.
WIAT 42 – Birmingham, Alabama:
Stephon continued to build his reporting skills at WIAT 42, where he worked for two years as an anchor and reporter.
He covered a wide range of stories, including severe weather events and pressing community issues, gaining recognition for his clear and compassionate reporting.
WLKY-TV – Louisville, Kentucky:
At WLKY-TV, he initially joined as a morning anchor before being promoted to evening co-anchor and lead reporter.
He spent nearly eight years in Louisville, where he reported on numerous major events, such as the social unrest following the death of Breonna Taylor, historic flooding along the Ohio River, the Kentucky Derby, and severe weather incidents.
His leadership and storytelling earned him local acclaim and two Emmy Awards.
WJZ-TV | CBS News Baltimore – Baltimore, Maryland:
In October 2022, Stephon returned to his hometown and rejoined WJZ-TV, this time as a weekend morning anchor and weekday reporter for CBS News Baltimore.
The role represents a full-circle moment for him—fulfilling a lifelong dream rooted in childhood memories of sharing neighborhood news with his grandmother.
Stephon Dingle’s Colleagues at WJZ-TV
| Name | Role at WJZ | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Vic Carter | Evening Anchor | Veteran journalist with decades at WJZ; known for in-depth reporting and community leadership |
| Denise Koch | Anchor Emerita | Longtime WJZ anchor, recently retired but remains a respected figure at the station |
| Rick Ritter | Evening Anchor | Co-anchors evening newscasts; known for investigative reporting |
| Jessica Kartalija | Evening Anchor | Co-anchors with Rick Ritter; also involved in community outreach |
| Marty Bass | Morning Personality | Iconic WJZ figure known for weather and light-hearted segments |
| Linh Bui | Morning Anchor | Co-anchors morning newscasts; known for lifestyle and health reporting |
| Chelsea Ingram | Meteorologist | Provides weather forecasts and environmental updates |
| Annie Rose Ramos | Reporter | Covers breaking news and community stories |
| Amy Kawata | Reporter | Known for live field reporting and human-interest stories |
| Mark Viviano | Sports Director | Was Stephon’s mentor during his 2011 internship at WJZ |
Net Worth and Salary:
Stephon Dingle’s estimated annual salary ranges between $47,000 and $120,000, which aligns with industry standards for mid- to senior-level anchors at major-market CBS affiliates like WJZ-TV in Baltimore.
His compensation reflects his years of experience, on-air presence, and leadership in covering high-impact stories.
As of recent estimates, his net worth is believed to fall between $350,000 and $550,000.
This figure accounts for over a decade of work in broadcast journalism, including his previous roles at CBS19 in Charlottesville, WIAT 42 in Birmingham, and WLKY in Louisville.
In addition to his anchoring duties, Dingle may also earn income through speaking engagements, mentorship programs, and other media-related opportunities.
Is Stephon Dingle Married?
Yes, Stephon Dingle is married. He tied the knot with his wife, Catherine Tolentino, in 2020【1†】.
The couple shares a daughter named Devyn, and Stephon occasionally shares glimpses of his family life, reflecting his pride in fatherhood and the support he receives from his wife.
How Old Is Stephon Dingle?
Stephon Dingle was born on March 26, 1989, which makes him currently 36 years old.
Where is Stephon Dingle Working?
Stephon Dingle is currently working as a news anchor and reporter at WJZ-TV, the CBS affiliate in Baltimore, Maryland.
He joined the station in October 2022, marking a return to his hometown after years of anchoring in other markets.
At WJZ, Stephon Dingle anchors weekend morning newscasts—Saturdays 6–9 a.m. and Sundays 7–9 a.m. He also reports during the week.
His role lets him tell important local stories and stay connected to his hometown of Baltimore.
Stephon Dingle is active on social media:
Instagram: @stephon_dingle
X (Twitter): @Stephon_Dingle
Facebook: Stephon Dingle WJZ
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.