Tenisha Warner Publicly Honors Late Husband with New Foundation

Lead Tenisha Warner, widow of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, confirmed her identity and unveiled the Warner Family Foundation and River & Ember to honor his legacy via Instagram on September 12, 2025, drawing widespread support.

Nut Graf Stepping into the spotlight nearly two months after her husband’s tragic drowning, Warner’s announcement highlights her commitment to nurturing young artists and families, underscoring the enduring impact of Warner’s vision and their shared devotion to children’s creative growth.

Background and Announcement In a heartfelt Instagram post accompanied by a 2017 wedding photo, Warner expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming support” she and their daughter have received. She noted that September 13 marked their eighth wedding anniversary and shared, “For the first time, I’m sharing a glimpse of the love that began it all.”

Launch of River & Ember and Foundation

Warner Family Foundation
Will offer scholarships-the Malcolm-Jamal Warner Creative Legacy Scholarship-for aspiring artists ages 14-22 whose work spans multiple disciplines.
Aims to preserve Warner’s philosophy that creativity flourishes when boundaries are crossed.
River & Ember
A seasonal digital toolkit designed by Warner, a psychologist, to help families navigate grief and strengthen parent-child bonds through art and ritual.

Tributes and Legacy Fellow castmates and colleagues applauded Warner’s message online, with Cosby Show co-star Keshia Knight Pulliam commenting “Simply beautiful ❤️.” Warner’s emphasis on “love still moving” and “still carrying us forward” reflects her belief in harnessing creativity as a healing force.

Details of Husband’s Passing Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role as Theo Huxtable, drowned on July 20, 2025, while vacationing in Costa Rica with his family. His death at age 54 prompted an outpouring of tributes to his work and character.

Next Steps Warner and her daughter plan to roll out the foundation’s first scholarship round in early 2026 and release River & Ember’s inaugural toolkit this winter, inviting families worldwide to partake in honoring Warner’s enduring spirit.