Joumana's Heart

About Joumana and her Philanthropy
Joumana Kidd is an unconventional figure with a creative passion that has already established herself as a renowned sports journalist making frequent appearances in the media. Born in foster City, Calif, Joumana Kidd is a graduate of San Francisco State with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications and a Minor in Cultural Communication.

Kidd started her career in the world of media by taking up modeling during her years of study at San Francisco State. Within a short period of time the highly talented lady ended being a "spokesmodel, " in which she appeared as a "Bud girl." Kidd was also named the official spokesmodel for Tereme de Salsomaggiore Skin Care in 2000.

Early in her career Kidd was also the co-host of a weekly sports show, Suns Jam Session, with KPNX-12, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally, she co-hosted "Talking Sports", a weekly radio show that focused on the positive side of sports. She also appeared in the movie, "Whiplash," which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001. Kidd's broadcast resume includes the role of national news correspondent for both the entertainment TV news program Extra and NBA Entertainment. She covered the red carpet for Extra at the Grammy Awards, The Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductions and the Daytime Emmys. In addition to interviewing most top athletes, within a year of tenacious reporting at Extra, Joumana also obtained interviews with top celebrities from Robert DiNiro, Penelope Cruz, Colin Farrell and Tom Cruise to Jewel, P-Diddy, Jay-Z, Sheryl Crow and Sharon Osbourne. She also has appeared on NBC's hit drama Third Watch.

Throughout her career, Kidd has consistently been active in different not-for-profit organizations such as the Jason Kidd Foundation, which is focused on improving the welfare of youth in the community by providing funding for children's medical research; she is the national spokesperson for MarbleJam Kids and the North Shore Animal League and is currently active on several boards including the Yogi Berra Museum, the Nets/Devils Foundation and the Arizona Heart Ball and Crisis Nursery.

She and Jason Kidd have three children, son TJ, and twin girls Miah and Jazelle. Joumana Kidd has been able to find a healthy balance in her life between family, career and personal well-being and is looking forward to continuing her ascension in the world of entertainment Journalism and philanthropy.

IN MY OWN WORDS
My name is Joumana Kidd and I am so happy to be representing a cause that has become so dear to my heart. We have all read the papers and heard the news about Autism on the rise. It is quite disturbing when you look at the statistics here in NJ and particularly here in Bergen County, where we all live. I had the pleasure of meeting Anna at a dance studio, Dance on The Edge, in Ramsey, NJ where we were introduced by our mutual friend Toni. Anna so passionately shared with me what MarbleJam Kids is about and I just knew in an instant that I could make a contribution. Bringing children with Autism and developmental disabilities opportunity to experience the arts, sports, and recreation just like every other child is a cause that I stand behind. As a mother of 3 children, I cannot imagine their lives being complete without these opportunities. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders should have them as well. MarbleJam Kids Creative Arts Therapy Program and Enrichment Center is that opportunity.