Yolanda Michelle Brathwaite was born on August 7, 1971, to Dorothy Ingram and Willie Hill. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, author, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose life was rooted in love, strength, and service to others.

Yolanda shared over 37 beautiful years with the love of her life, Anthony Brathwaite. Their journey began through a mutual friend, and together they built a loving family blessed with two children, Eric and Cheyenne. She was a dedicated wife and mother who always put her family first.

In 2015, Yolanda proudly became a grandmother with the birth of her beloved granddaughter, Nylah, affectionately known as “Pootah.” In celebration of their enduring love, Yolanda and Anthony renewed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.

Yolanda was passionate about empowering women through her nonprofit organization, Grown Girls NYC, Inc., where she organized community outreach efforts including free mammograms, turkey giveaways, and support initiatives for domestic violence survivors. She was also the author of several books including *Sister Code*, *Anthology Girls Pep Talk*, *Tales Of A Grown Girl: Sex, Drugs & Freedom*, the *Grown Girls Journal*, and a *Grown Girls* coloring book. She received recognition as a salon owner, served on the board of the Kidney Foundation, and supported mental health awareness initiatives. Yolanda had a special gift for bringing people together and proudly represented Hempstead, New York, everywhere she went.

Yolanda Michelle Brathwaite peacefully departed this life on May 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted husband, Anthony Brathwaite; her beloved children, Eric and Cheyenne Brathwaite; her precious granddaughter, Nylah Brathwaite; her mother, Dorothy Ingram; her father, Willie Hill; her mother-in-law, Selma Harriott; her sisters, Thelma Ingram, Legeia Chavannes, Monique Hill, and Sierria Felder; her nephew, Brendan Rivers; her brothers-in-law, Ernest Brathwaite and Glenn Harriott; her niece, Aliyah Harriott; along with a host of extended family and friends.

Her beautiful spirit and lasting legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.