And no one is more excited than the longtime broadcaster\u2019s three kids, Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13, whom she shared with her late husband, Uche Ojeh<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI told my kids first,\u201d Jones told her new co-host Jenna Bush Hager<\/a> while opening up about new role on Tuesday, Dec. 9. \u201cSo Kay was in the school library and I went and got wine and I gave [the twins] water and I said, \u2018Guys, we have to take a selfie.\u2019 And they were so happy for me. There was so much joy in our house and we needed that joy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Jenna and Friends\/Instagram<\/p>\n Sheinelle Jones with her kids Kayin, Uche Jr., and Clara.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 husband Ojeh died of brain cancer in May. She had been on a leave of absence from the NBC morning show for months prior to the news of his death.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy,\u201d Jones recalled. \u201cThis is what it looks like. It feels divine. It feels like Uche\u2019s up there with God, like, he\u2019s Mr. Competitive. He\u2019s like, \u2018Alright, let\u2019s make this happen for Sheinelle.\u2019 I put on his shirt this morning and I said a little prayer and I\u2019m like, \u2018Let\u2019s go be with \u2014 not my friend but my sister.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n Jenna and Friends\/Instagram<\/p>\n Sheinelle Jones with her kids Kayin, Clara and Uche Jr.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Reflecting on how different her life is from this time last year, Jones added, \u201cYou couldn\u2019t write this script.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the truth of the matter, and everybody knows, God, a year ago at this time was tough for me. A year ago at this time I decided I should step back and be with my husband and we were in a fight,\u201d she said of her decision to privately step back from the Today show.<\/p>\n Jones added that she wanted her new role to be a symbol of hope for viewers who might have experienced similar struggles to her own.<\/p>\n Jenna and Friends\/Instagram<\/p>\n Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones announce Jones’ new role on ‘Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.’<\/p>\n \u201cFor those of you who are holding something, whether it\u2019s grief or pain or whatever you\u2019re holding, I just want you to know, if you see me here, that means you can do it too,\u201d she shared. \u201cAnd we\u2019re all gonna fight for our joy. If you see me laughing and when you see me having a good time with my sister-friend here. That means you can get up and conquer your day too.\u201d<\/p>\n Today with Jenna & Sheinelle will premiere on Monday, Jan. 12. The new show comes nearly a year after former co-host Hoda Kotb<\/a> exited Today to spend more time with her kids Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 6.<\/p>\n Ever since, Bush Hager has welcomed more than 60 celebrity guest co-hosts on Today with Jenna & Friends.<\/p>\n![\"Jenna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/f88d4524db2b8f199edbcd453b8a7296.jpeg\"\/)
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