Sheinelle Jones has a big family both on and off the Today show.
Born in 1978 to parents Sheila Kinnard and Judge C. Darnell Jones, who are divorced, Sheinelle is one of five siblings, two of whom are twins. She later welcomed her own set of twins, Clara and Uche, as well as son Kayin with husband Uche Ojeh, whom she wed in 2007.
While several of Sheinelle’s relatives joined her on Today over the years, she announced in January 2025 that she was taking time off from the NBC morning show to “deal with a family health matter.” She did not specify which family member was affected by the health concern at the time.
“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you,” she told fans via Instagram after being absent from the show for more than a week. “Your kindness means so much to me.”
Several of Sheinelle’s Today colleagues showed their support in the post’s comments. “You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always ❤️,” Jenna Bush Hager wrote, while Savannah Guthrie commented, “We love you so. not the same without you. we will see you soon ❤️.”
Scroll down to get to know Sheinelle’s family members:
Judge C. Darnell Jones
Sheinelle’s dad began his career in 1987 as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, per his bio on the University of Pennsylvania’s law school website. Throughout his renowned career as a judge, C. Darnell served as President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was appointed the Chair of the Administrative Governing Board of the First Judicial District by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and acted as an adjunct law professor at schools such as St. Joseph’s University’s Graduate School, Temple University School of Law, The National Institute for Trial Advocacy and UPenn.
C. Darnell was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by former President George W. Bush (a.k.a. Bush Hager’s dad) and was sworn in to the role in 2008. Sheinelle revealed via Instagram in November 2022 that her dad retired after 35 years as a judge upon turning 73.
She, her siblings and their respective spouses and kids got together to surprise C. Darnell with a family reunion for his 75th birthday in November 2024. “This might be the best surprise ‘The Jones Siblings’ have pulled off yet!” she captioned an Instagram video of their gathering. “My father had no idea we were rolling into town, complete with pillows and air mattresses to crash! Haha – Happy 75th Birthday to the best father & pop pop 🥰❤️❤️❤️.”
Sheila Kinnard
Like her ex-husband, Sheinelle’s mother is also retired after working as a drama teacher at the Mayberry Cultural Fine Arts Middle School, according to her bio on The Forum Theater’s website. “She now fills her days with reading and running around to stay busy,” Sheila’s bio reads. “Audiences have enjoyed her talents since 1998 in many shows and musicals with various companies here in Wichita. She lives by her motto: ‘Expect the best and the best is what you’ll get.’”
Sheinelle shared a sweet birthday tribute to her mom via Instagram in July 2024. “To the woman who has ALWAYS patiently answered my questions or addressed my needs … even when we were supposed to be taking a picture! ☺️ (Now I can ask all of the questions I want, for a living! Ha),” she captioned pics of the two of them from over the years. “I am so thankful for you! Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!!”
Antonia Thomas and Fernando Jones
All four of Sheinelle’s siblings crashed an episode of the third hour of Today in April 2019, acting as models for a fashion segment. Twins Antonia and Fernando showed off their looks together, much to Sheinelle’s surprise and delight. While not much is known about Fernando, Antonia shares three kids with her husband, Clifton.
Cardozie Jones and Keesha Williams
Like Fernando, Sheinelle’s eldest sibling, Keesha, keeps her social media private. However, Sheinelle revealed to Today.com in December 2018 that Keesha has five kids. “I always say, ‘Keesha, Keesha, Keesha,’ instead of ‘Marcia, Marcia, Marcia,” Sheinelle joked on Today in April 2019.
According to his Instagram, Sheinelle’s brother Cardozie has been married to his husband, Dewey Fleszar, since 2018. “Our entire relationship can be defined by moments like these: walking down streets we love, talking about our hopes and dreams for the future. Let’s never stop,” he captioned an Instagram photo of the two of them in May 2023. “Happy Anniversary Dewey. I love you.”
Jo Brown
Sheinelle credits her maternal grandmother with helping her excel in school by making her read street signs while driving around together during her childhood. “I remember coming home one day in middle school and I was like, ‘Oh man, English is easy,’” she told MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski in March 2020. “And the next day, [my grandmother] walks with me to class and talks to the principal. And next thing you know, I’m in AP English.”
Sheinelle showed off four generations of the women in her family in a sweet July 2024 Instagram video. “Come on, Mom!” Sheinelle, her daughter, Clara, and her mom each said while walking past the camera in matching green outfits. The clip ended with Jo walking into frame, stating, “I’m coming!”
Uche Ojeh
Sheinelle met her husband while studying at Northwestern University and the two tied the knot after several years of dating in 2007. “Happy birthday Uche❤️. To think it all started right here at Northwestern … 25 years ago 💜,” she wrote in a February 2023 Instagram birthday tribute to Uche. “Then marriage a decade later ☺️ … Then baby #1. Then #2 & #3. Moving to NYC … and 10,000 games, music and dance lessons later … We’re just getting started. Happy Birthday💜.”
In a February 2024 Instagram birthday tribute, Sheinelle wrote: “I’ve had a crush on you since I was 19 … and I still do.”
Kayin
Sheinelle and Uche became parents with the birth of their eldest child, son Kayin, in August 2009. Kayin seemingly shares his mom’s passion for journalism, as he interviewed Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney for NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt: Kids Edition in March 2021.
Kayin served as Sheinelle’s date at the 2024 White House holiday party, which they attended with Bush Hager, Guthrie and their kids. “Thank you @whitehouse – for a magical night,” Sheinelle captioned Instagram pics from their night out, during which they posed for a photo with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. “To be here with my oldest son and work friends -who are more like family at this point … it was a night I hope he will cherish forever.”
Clara and Uche
Sheinelle and Uche’s fraternal twins were born in July 2012. “With all three of my children, I try to show them that they’re ALL a team, and they have to take care of each other,” Sheinelle wrote of parenting three kids in a June 2015 Today.com essay. “At the same time, I’m learning that they each like to know they’re special on their own. They will often come to me for individual affirmation and then head back into the ‘group’ ready to play as a team.”
The Today host enjoyed a special day with her twins at the US Open in August 2023, at which Clara and Uche served as the “ball kids” for a kick-off pickleball game. “Fun night of fellowship before these guys get down to the real business! 🎾,” she captioned Instagram pics of herself and her kids posing with pros such as Venus Williams, Holger Rune and Ons Jabeur.
