By Ava Simone Collier

I could easily speak to you about the accomplishments and professional successes of Yolanda Reynolds, the Associate Publisher of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. Who’s Who is an annual publication celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of Atlanta’s movers and shakers in the black community. I could tell you that she received the Who’s Who Publishing Company Leadership Award and recognized by Cingular Wireless as Minority Entrepreneur of the Year and selected by Women Looking Ahead as one of Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in Business. Her accolades and achievements go on and on.

Who’s Who chronicles the positive achievements of African Americans whether it’s in their careers or in the community. Yolanda said that this publication also serves as a book of role models for African American kids to see people who look like them who are excelling in avenues other than sports and entertainment. Yolanda went on to state that kids can be inspired to be anything they want to be. She explained that kids can refer to the Who’s Who book as a source of reference. “It gives me great joy to serve as the Publisher because when my kids go back and look at these books, I’m sure they’ll be so proud to have these kinds of resources to read about people who’ve opened up doors for them in Atlanta.” Soon into our conversation, I realized that this was more than just about her professional achievements. It was about her personal victory and her indomitable spirit to overcome adversity.

In December 2004, Yolanda Reynolds had a massive debilitating stroke. “I couldn’t sit up in the bed and I had to learn how to walk and write again. My face was twisted. I still give God all the honor and praise for this. He changed my life tremendously by having a stroke; It made me a better person, a better friend, mom and business person.” She continued, “There are so many things that I now realize are more important.” In the hospital for two months, Yolanda says that she gained a new perspective on life. “Just to be able to go outside and see the flowers blooming or hang out with my friends doing fun stuff. Life is too short to be stressed and involved in “mess” or in relationships that are not good for you. Stress kills you! I had to find balance in my life. When something is of God, it takes you to the next level. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. I was angry in the beginning. I used to ask God, ‘Why me?’ Now I say, ‘Why not me?’ I have a story to tell.”

Yolonda says she had never imagined that she would have had a stroke at such a young age. “God sent me through that for a reason. Everyday I see what that reason was. My life is so unbelievable now and I live it by ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ I really believe when I put God first in everything that I do, everything else will be alright. Yolanda humbly says that she is not the perfect person or has the perfect life, “With God on my side and the leader of my life, I know that I can push on.” Yolanda admits that she is still somewhat challenged on her left side but confidently states, “I still feel like I’m just as beautiful and got it going on like any other sista!” And she does! To look at this beautiful lady, you’d never know she’d had a stroke. Her energy, determination and resilience are evident.

Yolonda told me that this story is important to tell because it is not about Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. “When I had my stroke, after I saw how I was shut down, I said to God, ‘No, not me! Ms. Yolanda Reynolds, the Publisher of Who’s Who! Not this woman who was always on the move, going here, going there!’ We need to get over ourselves and love one another, spend time with family and friends. Do things that make you happy!” Yolanda states she’s trying so hard to lead her life differently. She states that she is glad to be able to share her story in hopes of touching someone else. “People think that if they don’t have money, a car or a nice roof over their heads that they can’t make it. The truth is, if you don’t have Christ in your life, none of that other stuff means anything anyway. Without Christ there’s no real happiness.” She stated that people often ask her how she does what she does in regards to her busy and hectic life as an Associate Publisher. “It’s not about me. I don’t know how to do anything, even though I’m a college graduate. It’s God who gives me the direction in all that I know how to do.”

Yolanda stated that she has a wonderful earthly mother and father who were loving and supportive throughout her recovery. “My father couldn’t stand to see me in the condition I was in after my stroke. He told my mother to take the check book and pay whatever is necessary to make sure that I had the best medical care.” She continued, “Although money was not a problem for my parents, this was one time that no amount of money could help me, not even the doctors could help. Only the good Lord could bring me through this situation.” Yolanda says that no amount of money, power or prestige can help you like God can. “God can shake you down from everything! When you’re so full of yourself, you can’t hear from God. When we take the focus off of ourselves, we can hear from Him. When I celebrated my last birthday, I turned five years old because it’s like a rebirth to me. It’s been five years since I’ve had my stroke. That’s a reason to celebrate!”