Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Jenine Wardally (also known as Jenine Howard) |
| Date of Birth | February 7, 1975 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Age | 50 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5’6” (168 cm) |
| Approx. Weight | 123 lb (56 kg) |
| Hair/Eyes | Black hair, dark brown eyes |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Residences | Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan (per husband’s coaching career) |
| Occupations | Philanthropist, author, singer, businesswoman, fashion enthusiast |
| Known For | Founding The Juice Foundation; community-focused advocacy; family leadership |
| Spouse | Juwan Howard (m. July 6, 2002) |
| Children | Jace Howard (b. 2001), Jett Howard (b. 2003); stepmother to four children |
| @jeninehoward |
Early Life and Personal Journey
Born and raised in Brooklyn on February 7, 1975, Jenine Wardally grew up in a close-knit family with parents George Wardally and Jermin Ruby and sisters Maya, Shakira, and Liesha. That Brooklyn upbringing—equal parts hustle and heart—shows up in the steady way she navigates public attention and private priorities. She met future husband Juwan Howard in the late 1990s at an event hosted by Alonzo Mourning, a serendipitous crossing that would define the next quarter century of her life.
They married on July 6, 2002, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, building a blended, basketball-centered family that would soon become as familiar with arenas and draft stages as with family dinners and charity events. Through relocations tied to Juwan’s coaching career—most notably to Ann Arbor—Wardally kept her compass fixed on two points: family and service. Her voice is visible on social media, but her work speaks louder: guiding her sons, supporting her husband, and organizing causes that meet people where they are.
The Howards: A Family Map
Basketball is the family dialect, but support is the common language. Together, Jenine and Juwan have two sons—Jace and Jett—each carving their own path in the game. Wardally is also stepmother to four of Juwan’s children, embracing a blended family dynamic that prizes unity and encouragement.
| Name | Relation | Birthdate | Notables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jace Howard | Son | September 19, 2001 | Played under his father at Michigan; now with Fordham Rams |
| Jett Howard | Son | 2003 | Drafted 11th overall by Orlando Magic in 2023 |
| Juwan Howard Jr. | Stepson | February 5, 1992 | Played college basketball (Western Michigan, Detroit Mercy) |
| Joshua Howard | Stepson | — | Part of the Howards’ blended family |
| Sky Howard | Stepdaughter | — | Part of the Howards’ blended family |
| Starr Howard | Stepdaughter | — | Part of the Howards’ blended family |
Extended family ties to the game run deep, with connections that reach into the NBA through Juwan’s relatives, including Jalen and Jaden McDaniels. Within the home, Wardally’s imprint is a steady hand: she publicly advocated for her son Jace’s minutes in December 2020, a mother’s nudge delivered like a coach’s clipboard note.
Causes, Creativity, and Community Work
Wardally’s professional life spans several lanes. She founded The Juice Foundation, an initiative promoting healthier lifestyles through nutrition and wellness-oriented community programming. The foundation’s work has touched cancer survivorship, lupus awareness, and support for those facing domestic violence—issues often voiced through partnerships, youth fashion events in Miami, and targeted donation drives.
Her creative pursuits include authorship—she wrote the novel “Sons of the Dawn: A Basque Odyssey”—and ventures with Fireside Company. Music and business figure into her portfolio as well, highlighting a curiosity-driven career that refuses to live in a single lane. On Instagram, she shares fashion-forward looks and travel snapshots, a visual diary that complements her advocacy with color and personality. Her efforts have intersected with grassroots and regional causes, including donations to pediatric brain cancer research through organizations like ChadTough Defeat DIPG.
Recent Notes: 2023–2025
- June 2023: The family gathered in celebration as Jett Howard was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic. Photos and clips from draft night captured Wardally’s polished style and palpable pride.
- 2024 holiday season: The Howards leaned into year-end giving. Jett hosted a holiday shopping experience for youths connected to the Alzheimer’s Association, honoring Jenine’s mother, Jermin Ruby, who faces Alzheimer’s. The family also visited AdventHealth for Children to bring cheer to nurses and patients.
- 2025: Wardally kept a modest public profile at age 50, centering on family support while Jace continued his college basketball path at Fordham and Jett navigated his early NBA seasons.
Timeline of Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1975 | Born on February 7 in Brooklyn, New York |
| Late 1990s | Meets Juwan Howard at an Alonzo Mourning–hosted event |
| 2001 | Welcomes first son, Jace (September 19) |
| 2002 | Marries Juwan Howard (July 6) in Turks and Caicos |
| 2003 | Welcomes second son, Jett |
| 2010s | Launches The Juice Foundation; hosts youth fashion and wellness events in Miami |
| 2020 | Tweets a December 9 in-game suggestion for Jace’s minutes during a Michigan contest |
| 2023 | Jett drafted 11th overall by the Orlando Magic |
| 2024 | Family participates in Alzheimer’s-focused giving; holiday visit to AdventHealth for Children |
| 2025 | Continues philanthropic and family work at age 50 |
Numbers That Tell a Story
- 2 decades of marriage (2002–2025)
- 2 sons playing Division I/NBA basketball
- 1 foundation focused on nutrition, survivorship, and community wellness
- 11th pick: Jett’s draft selection in 2023
- 50 years young in 2025, with projects spanning philanthropy, authorship, and fashion
Financial Picture
Wardally’s estimated net worth is around $1 million, reflecting a career built across multiple pursuits—philanthropy, creative projects, and entrepreneurial ventures—rather than splashy headlines. It’s the kind of balance sheet that mirrors her approach: steady, intentional, and focused on impact.
The Person Behind the Platform
A mother, a mentor, a maker—Wardally threads these roles together with a sense of calm purpose. She celebrates wins in sequins and supports struggles in sneakers, showing up for family milestones and community causes with equal conviction. In a sports world that often sings the loudest for buzzer-beaters, she opts for the long game, the incremental work that changes a household and, with luck, a neighborhood.
FAQ
Who is Jenine Wardally?
She is an American philanthropist, author, singer, and businesswoman, known for community advocacy and as the wife of coach and former NBA player Juwan Howard.
When did she marry Juwan Howard?
They married on July 6, 2002, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
How many children does she have?
She has two sons, Jace (born 2001) and Jett (born 2003), and is stepmother to four of Juwan’s children.
What is The Juice Foundation?
It’s a wellness-focused initiative she founded to promote healthy lifestyles, cancer survivorship, lupus awareness, and support for those facing domestic violence.
Did she write a book?
Yes, she authored the novel “Sons of the Dawn: A Basque Odyssey.”
Where does she live?
Her home base has included Florida and Ann Arbor, Michigan, reflecting the family’s ties to Juwan’s coaching career.
What’s notable about her sons’ careers?
Jace has played college basketball (most recently with Fordham Rams), and Jett was the 11th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.
Is she on social media?
Yes, she shares fashion and lifestyle posts on Instagram at @jeninehoward.
What is her estimated net worth?
Approximately $1 million, derived from her varied professional and philanthropic endeavors.
Does she have notable family ties in the NBA beyond her sons?
Through Juwan’s family, she is related to NBA players Jalen McDaniels and Jaden McDaniels.
