Ylonda Gault Caviness, the brilliant mind behind the memoir Child, Please: How Mama’s Old-School Lessons Helped Me Check Myself Before I Wrecked Myself, is a true maestro of mixtapes. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with her and diving into her Mid Questionnaire. To our delight, we learned she can do a spot-on impression of Cookie from Empire, and has a secret friendship with Kelly Ripa that’s as fabulous as it sounds.
Dreams and Aspirations
When it comes to new skills, Ylonda dreams of mastering a team sport—any sport would do! She jokes about being old enough to earn a varsity letter and wonders if middle-aged teams exist. Growing up, she always felt a bit awkward, thanks to her long arms, but now she believes she’s got the confidence to shine on the court.
Travel Goals
As for travel, she’s had her sights set on pampering herself with a trip to a fancy eyebrow threading salon. Since watching Empire, she’s been enamored with Taraji P. Henson’s perfect brows and has even tried to channel Cookie’s signature swagger. On a more serious note, she’s always wanted to take her kids to South Africa.
A Grateful Heart
Ylonda also has a heartfelt thank you note in her back pocket for a local neighbor named Charlie. He was the grumpy guy who sat in his lawn chair, but on the Fourth of July, he brought the neighborhood together with a fun parade that welcomed her into the community—a gesture she’ll never forget.
Childhood Memories
Fast forward to Friday nights at age 12, and you’d find her glued to a black-and-white TV with her siblings, enjoying Sanford and Son while her brother fussed with makeshift antennas. For her first mixtape, she crafted a collection for her boyfriend, which included classics from Earth, Wind & Fire and Phil Collins—a true reflection of her musical tastes.
Family Lore
One family story that continues to make the rounds is about her toddler self giving President Nixon the cheeky treatment during a news broadcast, a moment that has turned into family lore. She fondly remembers her grandfather’s pride as he shared that tale over and over again.
Wisdom for the Younger Self
To her 25-year-old self, Ylonda would offer two pieces of wisdom: “You are in your right place to get to your true place,” a mantra she heard from Maya Angelou, and to stop worrying about her thighs—because hindsight would show her that youth is a treasure.
Culinary Skills
When it comes to culinary skills, she’s got hot wings down to a science—crispy, tender, and just the right amount of spicy. As for her motivational anthem, she turns to Missy Elliott’s “Up Jumps da Boogie” to pump herself up for whatever lies ahead.
Comfort in Banter
For a dose of comfort, nothing beats catching the banter between Kelly and Michael on TV, especially on Wednesdays when she’s enjoying a slow coffee break. She imagines herself living that glamorous city life, sharing a connection with Kelly over their mutual love for fashion and motherhood.
In Summary
Ylonda Gault Caviness is a mixtape queen with a wealth of experiences—from childhood mischief to culinary triumphs. Her humor and warmth shine through as she reminisces about her life and the lessons learned along the way.
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