Actor’s widow announces foundation and family initiatives on what would have been their eighth wedding anniversary.
Tenisha Warner announced the creation of the Malcolm-Jamal Warner Foundation through an emotional Instagram post on September 12th. The widow of the beloved “Cosby Show” actor shared her plans just before their eighth wedding anniversary. Her husband tragically died in a drowning accident in Costa Rica two months earlier.
The foundation will honor Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s creative spirit through multiple initiatives supporting young artists. Warner also announced the launch of River & Ember, a family-focused program she developed with her daughter. Both projects reflect the actor’s commitment to nurturing creativity and emotional connection.
Creative Legacy Fund Targets Interdisciplinary Artists with Scholarship Opportunities
The Malcolm-Jamal Warner Creative Legacy Fund focuses on supporting diverse young creators aged 14 to 22. The program specifically seeks artists whose work reflects an interdisciplinary spirit like Warner himself demonstrated. He successfully combined acting, poetry, and music throughout his career.
The scholarship program welcomes creators who cross artistic boundaries and explore multiple forms of expression. Applications are open to poets who paint, musicians who write, actors who cook, and other boundary-crossing artists. This approach honors Warner’s belief that art often exists in more than one form.
“The Malcolm-Jamal Warner Creative Legacy Scholarship is open to young artists ages 14–22 whose work reflects an interdisciplinary spirit,” the foundation website states. “We welcome creators who cross boundaries and all those who seek the freedom to explore their artistry without limits.”
Foundation Emphasizes Freedom, Originality, and Legacy as Guiding Principles
The Creative Legacy Fund operates under four core principles that reflect Warner’s artistic values. Freedom represents the ability to explore creativity without restrictions or limitations. Originality encourages authentic self-expression and unique artistic voices.
The interdisciplinary lens celebrates artists who work across multiple creative mediums and formats. Legacy focuses on creating gifts for future generations, including Warner’s own daughter. These principles guide all foundation decisions and scholarship selections.
Furthermore, the fund aims to nurture poets, painters, musicians, performers, and interdisciplinary creators whose work carries courage. The foundation specifically looks for artists who demonstrate freedom and authenticity in their creative expression. This approach ensures Warner’s creative values continue inspiring future generations.
River & Ember Initiative Launches Family Connection Toolkits in Spring 2026
Tenisha Warner developed River & Ember as a comprehensive family connection program launching in Spring 2026. The initiative includes seasonal toolkits designed to help families connect through story, ritual, and art. These resources nurture children’s emotional development while strengthening parent-child relationships.
The program also features a unique companion app designed for simultaneous use by parents and children. Most digital platforms target either adults or children separately, but River & Ember creates shared experiences. The website describes it as “a quiet digital hearth where parent and child can share one story, one ritual, one quiet moment.”
“Most apps are made for adults. Some for children. Rarely for both — and almost never for the sacred relationship between them,” the website explains. “River & Ember is different: Not screen time. Sacred time.”
Widow Credits Late Husband’s Influence on Emotional Connection Mission
Tenisha Warner drew inspiration for River & Ember from her relationship with her late husband. She explained how they discovered the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability and emotional expression. Their partnership taught them both the value of being fully seen and accepted.
“When I met my husband, I found someone who understood that journey,” Warner shared. “He had been taught — especially as a man — to keep his feelings hidden. Together we discovered that what we both needed was simple, but rare: to be fully seen.”
Their relationship became a model for the emotional connection Warner wants to help other families achieve. She emphasized how they found safety in vulnerability and strength in sharing emotions. This foundation supports the River & Ember mission of creating sacred family moments.
Anniversary Announcement Honors Eight Years of Marriage and Shared Dreams
Warner chose to announce both initiatives on September 12th, knowing the next day marked their wedding anniversary. Her timing reflects the deep connection between her late husband’s memory and these new projects. She expressed gratitude for the love and support received during this difficult period.
“Thank you for holding us in so much love during this tender time,” Warner wrote. “Tomorrow marks our anniversary — and my heart is wide open. For the first time, I’m sharing a glimpse of the love that began it all.”
She described still hearing her husband’s laugh and feeling his encouraging presence in her life. Warner compared his influence to a river that was “steady, sure, and always moving toward what matters.” His spirit remains “an ember — glowing with encouragement, igniting possibility in those around him.”
