Updated on: August 11, 2025
Imagine stepping into a bustling Atlanta gym, the squeak of sneakers echoing like a heartbeat, and there she is—Tashanda Howard, not just cheering from the sidelines but orchestrating the whole show. As the older sister of NBA powerhouse Dwight Howard, Tashanda has carved her own lane in a world often dazzled by her brother’s slam dunks and championships. But let’s peel back the layers, shall we? I’ve always thought of her story as a backstage pass to the Howard family saga—full of grit, faith, and that unbreakable family bond that turns ordinary folks into quiet legends. Picture it like a feel-good sports movie, where the underdog isn’t chasing rings but inspiring the next generation to dream bigger. Tashanda isn’t in the spotlight by accident; she’s there by choice, mentoring young girls with the same fire that fueled her brother’s rise. And trust me, once you dive in, you’ll see why her journey feels like a warm hug wrapped in determination.
Basic Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | TaShanda (Tashanda) Howard |
| Known For | Older sister of NBA star Dwight Howard; educator, coach, mentor, and community activist |
| Family Role | Daughter of Dwight Howard Sr. and Sheryl Howard; sister to Dwight Howard; aunt to Braylon Howard |
| Professions | Educator, coach, mentor, skater; co-founder and leader of youth empowerment programs |
| Key Initiatives | Girlz Rule B-Ball Camp, focused on basketball, etiquette, and personal development for young girls |
| Public Presence | Active on Instagram promoting positivity and faith; vocal in media about family and sports issues |
| Notable Events | Criticized Atlanta Hawks in 2017; hosted camps in Atlanta and Houston since early 2010s |
Family Ties: The Howard Clan Unpacked
Let’s start at the roots, because every great story needs a solid foundation—and the Howards? They’re like that unbreakable starting lineup in a championship team. I think of them as the Avengers of Atlanta sports families, each member bringing their superpowers to the table. Take Dwight Howard Sr., Tashanda’s father—he’s the steady anchor, a Georgia State Trooper who doubled as the athletic director at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Picture him patrolling the streets by day and shaping young athletes by night, instilling that discipline that Tashanda and her brother would carry forward. It’s no wonder the kids turned out so driven; with a dad like that, resilience was probably served with breakfast.
Then there’s Sheryl Howard, the mom who could hoop with the best of them. She wasn’t just any player—she suited up for the inaugural women’s basketball team at Morris Brown College back in the day. I imagine family dinners filled with stories of her glory days, her passion for the game seeping into Tashanda’s veins like a secret family recipe. Sheryl’s influence shines through in everything Tashanda does, especially those empowerment camps that blend sports with life lessons. And oh, the heartbreak they’ve endured—Sheryl lost seven pregnancies before welcoming Dwight, a raw truth that adds layers to their family’s unbreakable spirit. It’s like a plot twist in a drama series, reminding us that behind the smiles are battles fought in silence.
Now, enter the sibling dynamic that steals the show: Tashanda and her younger brother, Dwight Howard. He’s the 8-time NBA All-Star, the 2020 champion with the Lakers, the guy who’s snagged Defensive Player of the Year three times running from 2009 to 2011. But to Tashanda, he’s just family—the little bro she fiercely protects. Remember that 2017 drama when the Atlanta Hawks traded him to the Hornets? Tashanda didn’t hold back, blasting the team for their lack of loyalty in a way that felt straight out of a sibling solidarity pact. “They screwed over my brother,” she essentially said, turning heads and sparking conversations across sports media. It’s moments like these that humanize the Howards, showing they’re not just athletes but a tight-knit crew navigating fame’s rollercoaster.
And let’s not forget the next generation—Braylon Howard, Tashanda’s nibling, who’s Dwight’s child and thus her niece or nephew. While Braylon keeps a low profile, the aunt-niece/nephew bond adds that sweet, generational flavor to the family narrative. I picture Tashanda as the cool aunt dishing out advice during family gatherings, perhaps drawing from her mentoring playbook to guide Braylon through life’s curveballs. It’s all interconnected, like threads in a tapestry—parents laying the groundwork, siblings pushing each other, and the young ones carrying the torch.
Career Highlights: Coaching Hearts and Hoops
Shifting gears to Tashanda’s own playbook, her career reads like a montage from an inspirational flick—think “Coach Carter” meets “Hidden Figures,” where education and empowerment take center stage. She’s not content with sidelines; she’s in the trenches as an educator, coach, mentor, and even a skater, as her Instagram bio proudly declares. “Mother, Educator, Coach, Mentor, Skater”—it’s a rhythmic list that screams versatility, don’t you think? But her crown jewel? The Girlz Rule B-Ball Camp, co-founded through the Dwight D. and Sheryl H. Howard Foundation.
Launched in Atlanta and expanding to Houston by 2015, this camp isn’t your average basketball clinic. We’re talking a holistic powerhouse: dribbling drills mixed with vision-building sessions, etiquette workshops, and meet-and-greets with professional women role models from the NBA and WNBA. In one Houston event covered around April 2015, Tashanda hosted dozens of young girls, turning the court into a classroom for life skills. Numbers tell part of the story—camps running annually since the early 2010s, impacting hundreds of participants with sessions on everything from goal-setting to graceful confidence. It’s like she’s channeling her family’s athletic legacy into a force for good, empowering girls to rule not just the game but their futures.
Tashanda’s Instagram feed? A treasure trove of positivity—posts laced with faith, motivation, and that insider vibe of someone who’s seen the highs and lows of pro sports. She advocates for mental strength and community, often sharing snippets that feel like pep talks from a big sister. And her skating side? Adds a playful twist, reminding us she’s multifaceted, gliding through life with grace and speed.
Public Moments: From Courtside Drama to Heartfelt Defenses
Ah, the public eye—it’s a double-edged sword for families like the Howards, and Tashanda wields it with unapologetic flair. Flash back to June 2017: Dwight’s trade from the Hawks hits the news, and Tashanda fires back like a sharpshooter. Her comments rippled through outlets, painting Atlanta as disloyal and underscoring her protective streak. It’s that raw, unfiltered energy that makes her relatable—imagine your own sibling getting shortchanged; you’d speak up too, right?
Then there are the quieter, more poignant moments, like her YouTube appearances where she defends Dwight against media narratives. In one clip from around 2018, she opens up about family truths, her voice steady like a coach calling plays. These instances humanize the Howards, turning tabloid fodder into tales of loyalty. And through it all, Tashanda’s community work shines—hosting those camps with NBA and WNBA stars, creating spaces where young girls see themselves as leaders. It’s cinematic, really: the sister stepping out of the shadow, not to steal the light, but to share it.
FAQ
Who are Tashanda Howard’s parents?
Tashanda’s parents are Dwight Howard Sr., a Georgia State Trooper and athletic director, and Sheryl Howard, a former basketball player at Morris Brown College who endured significant personal losses before building her family.
What is Tashanda Howard’s relationship to Dwight Howard?
She’s Dwight Howard’s older sister, often vocal in supporting his career, including criticizing the Atlanta Hawks for trading him in 2017.
What does Tashanda Howard do professionally?
Tashanda works as an educator, coach, mentor, and skater, while leading youth initiatives like the Girlz Rule B-Ball Camp focused on empowering young girls through sports and personal development.
Who is Braylon Howard in relation to Tashanda?
Braylon is Tashanda’s nibling, as the child of her brother Dwight Howard, making her their aunt in the close-knit family dynamic.
What is the Girlz Rule B-Ball Camp?
It’s a program co-led by Tashanda through the family foundation, offering basketball training, etiquette lessons, and mentorship to young girls, hosted in cities like Atlanta and Houston since the early 2010s.
Has Tashanda Howard been involved in public controversies?
Yes, she publicly expressed disappointment with the Atlanta Hawks in 2017 over her brother’s trade, highlighting issues of loyalty in professional sports.
