Yolanda L. Gaskins was born on September 8, 1951, in Washington, D.C. She is an American radio and television broadcast personality, writer, and producer. Gaskins attended Western High School, now Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where she was involved in the choir and played lead roles in several musicals and theatrical productions. She also participated in a radio production training program at WOOK-AM radio station, where she was the only female participant.