Sheinelle Jones' book inspired by celebrity moms becomes a top-selling hit before Mother's Day.

Sheinelle Jones, known as the co-host of TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, had a realization one day - she wanted to be a better mother. This sparked a journey that eventually led her to become an author. Her book, Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans, debuted at No.

1 on The New York Times bestseller list for Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous - an incredible feat for a Black woman in a category typically dominated by self-help gurus and celebrity experts. The idea for the book came to her when she was still relatively new at TODAY and trying to find her place. She recalls a conversation with an NBC page she was mentoring, who asked her what she would do if she could pursue a passion project.

Sheinelle's response was to interview the mothers of the people she admired. She wanted to hear their stories, their advice, and their wisdom about motherhood. Her first "yes" came from Sonya Curry, mother of NBA star Steph Curry.

Sheinelle flew to sit with Sonya in her home, where their conversation went beyond just parenting philosophies and delved into something more intimate. Sonya even took Sheinelle to Steph's childhood bedroom, where his trophies and basketball posters told the story of a boy's dream before he became a household name. One thing that stood out to Sheinelle was that Steph had gone on to compete against some of the players whose photos decorated his room.

Sheinelle's project began as a digital series for TODAY in 2018 but eventually expanded into a broadcast. However, she soon realized that the short television format could not contain all the valuable insights these women were sharing. During the pandemic, as the world reevaluated what truly mattered, Sheinelle also began thinking about what else she wanted to create.

While some people took up baking or daydreaming, Sheinelle's thoughts turned towards writing a book based on the interviews she had conducted. After sitting down with the mothers of Kevin Durant, Lady Gaga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more, she noticed a common thread. Many of these women spoke openly about faith, resilience, heartbreak, and the unspoken work of holding families together.

Sheinelle's message is especially personal as she approaches Mother's Day while grieving the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, who passed away in 2025 after battling brain cancer. She is also a mother to three teenagers who are also grieving. She acknowledges the difficult balance of holding onto her heartbreak while also trying to move forward and honor her late husband.

Although she may seem polished and put-together on camera, Sheinelle is honest about the struggle and cost of it all. She admits that she may look like she's operating at full capacity, but she knows her tank is not quite full. She is heartbroken, and it takes a toll on her.

Her children are also a significant part of her book's emotional core. She dedicated Through Mom's Eyes to them and was moved to tears when they surprised her on TODAY during the book's launch. Seeing how proud they were of her, Sheinelle knew they understood the significance of her achievement.

When asked what she hopes her children learn from watching her mother them, Sheinelle explains that she tries to model the qualities she wants them to have - kindness, wonder, resilience, and faith. As parents, she believes that the best thing they can do is lead by example and hope that their children will be better than them and stand on their shoulders. This idea also shapes how she views the mothers in her book.

While some of the advice she gathered was immediately applicable, like Sonya Curry's suggestion to use a chore chart, Sheinelle admits that it didn't quite work out for her. But the most crucial piece of advice she took from these women was not about discipline. It was about cherishing the fleeting moments of motherhood and not wishing them away.

As Mother's Day approaches, Sheinelle reflects on what truly matters to her. She doesn't need extravagant gifts or trips; she just wants to be surrounded by the children she loves. With the success of her book, Sheinelle is starting to see herself not just as a journalist or storyteller but as a brand and business owner.

She is learning that business and storytelling do not have to be separate entities. Sheinelle hopes that others can also take a piece of her story and find a way to be their own best advocate and brand in this new space. She is also realizing the power of storytelling and the support that women can offer each other.

Despite all her accomplishments and responsibilities, Sheinelle is learning to slow down and ask herself what comes next. She is getting to know the new version of herself, which her colleague Al Roker calls "Sheinelle 2.0." Balancing motherhood, work, and everything in between is a constant juggling act, but Sheinelle is determined to make the most of every moment and leave a positive impact on her children and the world.