All About Dwyane Wade's Sister, Tragil Wade

Dwyane Wade and his older sibling Tragil grew up on the south side of Chicago

Dwyane Wade and his sister, Tragil Wade, have been each other's rocks.

The retired NBA star credits his sibling for being a strong support system during their difficult upbringing. Through his hard work and his sister’s perseverance, Dwyane went on to accomplish many milestones.

He led Marquette University to a surprise appearance in the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, won three NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal. He is also a father and has been married to actress Gabrielle Union since 2014.

In a 2022 interview with IMPACT Magazine, Tragil reflected on the challenges the siblings overcame in their upbringing and how far they had come.

"Dwyane became my focus, and I thank God for giving me the strength and grace a big sister needs to help him become the man he is," she said.

Here's everything to know about Dwyane Wade's sister, Tragil Wade.

She is an educator

Tragil earned an associate degree from San Diego City College in early childhood education before graduating from Chicago State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she also holds a transformational foundation certification from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

She is heavily involved in humanitarian projects

In 2006, Tragil was named the Executive Director of Wade’s World Foundation, an organization that provides “support to community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations," per LinkedIn.

Over a decade later, she launched the America's Big Sisters Foundation to help disadvantaged kids all around the nation overcome adversity.

Tragil is also a reading advocate and namesake of the Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program, which was gifted to Marquette University by her alumnus brother Dwyane. Students have the chance to receive more individualized attention and small-group literacy intervention through the program than they would in a regular school environment.

“The community I come from, a lot of kids don’t have the resources or opportunities,” Dwyane explained, per Marquette Today. “For us to be able to provide some of those resources is something I thought about when I was a kid, having the ability to change my family’s fortunes.”

She and her husband have a cool anniversary celebration

Tragil is married to Edward Johnson, a veteran who served in the Navy for 20 years. She is also a bonus mom to a daughter and son — Areyonna and Prince — from her husband’s previous relationship.

The couple exchanged wedding vows on March 20, 2020, and began a fun tradition of annual anniversary photo shoots. Over the years, they have replicated scenes from the films Queen & Slim, Love Jones, Poetic Justice and Coming to America.

She and her dad received honorary doctorates

It was a double celebration when Tragil and her father, Dwyane Sr., each received an honorary doctorate in humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance in 2021. The honor recognized the father-daughter duo’s ongoing outreach in the community.

An appreciative Tragil penned an Instagram post highlighting all those who helped encourage her along her journey, thanking her "village,” including assistants, contractors and a slew of others.

“Every friend who always supported and pushed me to be the best version of myself,” she wrote. “Every family member has purchased a Ticket, donated, volunteered, and just showed your love that means more than you can ever think. ... Every Fan of my brother and family, thank you all; I mean it."

She is a proud sister

Dwyane left Marquette University early as one of the most decorated athletes in the school’s history to enter the 2003 NBA draft. Even though the Hall of Famer has solidified his place as a legend in the NBA, Tragil was invested in her brother completing his degree.

The initial plan was for him to continue his studies online, but the school didn’t have the courses Dwyane needed.

“He accomplished more than I could possibly think of and his career went further than most,” she said on Instagram. “But it stayed in my mind that he needed his degree for more reasons now than before. He's a father now, and little people look up to him.”

Tragil worked on an alternative plan, submitting a yearly request to the school board to grant Dwyane an honorary undergraduate degree. Her wish was finally granted in 2022.

“Finally, TODAY, I witnessed what I've believed God for, for 19 years... Can we say in God's timing..,” she continued on Instagram. “[Nineteen] years later, He received a Doctorate, not an undergraduate degree, and I'm on cloud 9.”

She is a member of a sorority

Tragil became an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated in 2022. The historically African American sorority is non-profit community service organization rooted in sisterhood and empowerment.

“Humbled humbled humbled,” she captioned a post announcing the honorary class. “I am so honored to be in a lineup of so many amazing women. I love them all “my sisters,” and to be now a member of the greatest sorority @sgrhoupdates 💙💛. #Grateful #Yearofgrace. A huge thank you to my sponsor and now Soror @carolynpalmer.”

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