Congratulations to the Black People Magic of Grammy nominated hip-hop icon, entertainment personality and community activist Yolanda “Yo Yo” Whitaker and Chicago business and finance leader, philanthropist and entrepreneur Toi Salter. Columbia College Chicago recently announced they will recognize them with honorary Doctor of Arts degrees as they address the college’s graduates, families, faculty, and guests during its 2026 Commencement ceremony next weekend.
Columbia bestows its honorary doctorates on people whose careers have shaped their respective fields, expanding the cultural and civic impact of entertainment and community leadership. Both women’s work reflects lasting contributions to storytelling, culture, and community impact.
Yo-Yo is a Grammy-nominated hip hop entertainer, actress, educator and philanthropist who emerged as a leading voice in West Coast hip-hop in the early 1990s. A protégé of Ice Cube, she gained widespread recognition with her breakout single “You Can't Play with My Yo-Yo,” which challenged gender dynamics in hip-hop while amplifying women’s perspectives. Over her career, she has released multiple albums and appeared in films and television. Today, she continues entertaining audiences with her cooking show, “Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo” on Aspire TV. She also founded the Yo-Yo School of Hip-Hop, an initiative designed to engage students through hip-hop–based learning and has remained an advocate for youth development and representation in the arts.
Toi Salter is the CEO of Salter Financial Management and a prominent figure in Chicago’s business and philanthropic communities. Toi is now a wealth and business manager whose clients include NBA All-Stars and she’s built a career defined by both financial leadership and civic engagement. She is widely recognized for her work supporting educational access and advancing opportunities for students. Through her leadership with UNCF Chicago, Salter has driven transformative fundraising efforts which have collectively raised more than $3 million for UNCF Chicago. Salter has also helped raise more than $7 million chairing the Chicago Urban League gala over the past two years.
Columbia College Chicago’s 2026 Commencement happens in two ceremonies, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, next Sunday May 17th at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Congratulations to the honorees and the Class of 2026 and remember to always celebrate your magic, too! xoxo