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.
Gaskins received her B.A. from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She began her broadcasting career in 1983 and has worked for several prominent media organizations, including CNN, NBC, Black Entertainment Television, and E! Entertainment Television.
In 1993, Gaskins became the first African American woman news anchor/show host on a cable news network in America when she joined CNN. She has also worked as a television news anchor and reporter, radio talk show host, and television producer. Some of her notable roles include hosting the nationally syndicated show PM Magazine and being featured in O Magazine in 2005. Additionally, she has appeared in television shows such as “The Wire” and “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”
In 2005, Gaskins left radio to become the Director of Media Relations and spokesperson for Holy Cross Hospital in Maryland. During her 12 years there, she created media strategies on various issues and produced videos for internal and external communication. In 2013, she founded Gaskins Media Works, a strategic communications firm that provides services to nonprofit organizations.
Today, Gaskins lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and continues her work as a media consultant and video producer.
