Dr. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker is a Grammy-nominated hip hop entertainer, actress, educator, and philanthropist. The cast member of VH1’s popular “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood” series is affectionately known as Auntie Yo-Yo. Raised in the South Central district of Los Angeles, her big break came when she appeared on Ice Cube’s 1990 debut, “It’s A Man’s World,” representing her gender in admirable style. Her own debut “Make Way for the Motherload” introduced her confident attitude along with the formation of the Intelligent Black Women’s Coalition organization, which is now expanding into the virtual space to continue its work helping young girls learn to love themselves. Her songs “You Can’t Play With My YoYo,” “Bonnie & Clyde Theme” with Ice Cube and her iconic features on Jamaican goddess Patra’s hit song “Romantic Call” and Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down” remix with MC Lyte and Queen Latifah are classics.

As an actress, she has appeared in the Oscar-nominated film “BoyzN the Hood” as well as several television shows including ‘90s sitcom “Martin” where she portrayed the memorable, comicalrecurring character Keylolo. Recently, Yo-Yo wrapped filming Downright Delicious her first cooking show with Aspire TV, and as a field collector on “Hip Hop Treasures” (an A&E and Rock The Bells production) both set to premiere in 2023. She also served as a co-host of VH1’s “Miss Rap Supreme.”

Throughout her 30 years in entertainment, service has been synonymous with her work, whether mentoring young girls with the IBWC (Intelligent Black Women’s Coalition), teaching youth about the music business with the YoYo School of Hip Hop, educating students on How to Get As in English Through Hip Hop as an ambassador for the National College resource Foundation and Black College Expo and Latino College Expo, or other efforts.

As a testament to her humanitarianism, in 2021, Yo-Yo received an Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden for her philanthropic work, national-wide, in the community. In 2022, she received another Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Biden Administration and presented an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanitarianism from Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University.

In partnership with the National College Resource Foundation and Black College Expo, Yo-Yo has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships and continue to promote education through hip hop. This work is dear to Yo-Yo’s heart.

Yo-Yo also makes her mark on the airwaves as co-host of Café Mocha, the #1 nationally syndicated radio show for women of color, alongside Emmy Award Winner Loni Love and broadcast veteran Angelique Perrin. The 3-time Gracie award-winning show is heard in over 40 markets across the United States and on SiriusXM Channel 141.

A true musical legend, Yo-Yo serves as ambassador of The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx and the city of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Yo-Yo is a proud mother of two beautiful, intelligent daughters Tiffany and Sanai along with her G-baby Kai.