Yolanda Gale (Malone) Burt

Yolanda Gale Burt, educator, culture advocate, and humanitarian was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 15, 1957 to her parents, John and Charley Mae Malone. She was the fourth child of five siblings.

Yolanda’s passion and commitment to serving people were evident through her educational and vocational choices. After graduating from Lumen Cordium High School, Yolanda attended Kent State University where she was a student of Psychology and Pan-African Studies.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Minor in Ethnic Studies from Cameron University. Yolanda pursued graduate level learning and earned her Master of Education degree in Adult Learning & Development with a concentration in Higher Education Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Cleveland State University.

While attending Kent State University, Yolanda met and married the love of her life, Garey Burt, Sr. in 1982.  From this union, Shannon Burt and Garey Burt, Jr. were born. As an Officer in the U.S. Army, Garey Sr. took Yolanda on many adventures. Together, the family traveled throughout the United States and the world, covering geographical areas from Ohio, Texas, and Oklahoma to Germany, England, and Ethiopia.

Yolanda’s mantra came from Psalms 16:6, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Truly, Yolanda’s steps were ordered by the Lord because of her desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to serve others. Yolanda was saved at an early age, and her spiritual growth continued to flourish at Greater Harvard Avenue Church of God In Christ. Yolanda served as an evangelist, missionary, teacher, choir member, and President of the Ohio Northwest Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Missions Department. Yolanda’s family, friends, students, and colleagues can attest that their love and knowledge of Jesus Christ was because of her witnessing.

Yolanda was a servant leader that advocated for youth and community members. She was the President of the Board of Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant Heritage House Cultural Arts & Resource Center, served nine years as a board member with the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation, was a president of the Cleveland East Rotary Club, and a lifetime member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, along with her husband.

Yolanda was also known as a trailblazer. She was the first African-American and first female Director of Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Career Services Center, and presented at England’s Oxford University and Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University. She also helped to establish Ethiopia’s first Community Work & Life Center, and the Ethiopian Employers Federation’s Business Center.

After retiring from CSU, she became a faculty member of their Department of African Studies. Because of her life of servitude, Yolanda received a proclamation from the City of Cleveland, and a special acknowledgment of service from the Governor’s Office. She was featured in Kaleidoscope Magazine’s 40/40 Club, and was named a Phenomenal Woman by the Phenomenal Woman Foundation.

Though committed to her church and civic work, Yolanda always kept her first calling as a dedicated wife and graceful mother. Her extraordinary legacy includes her husband of 40 years, Garey Sr., children: Shannon Burt and Garey Burt, Jr.; siblings: Yvonne Malcolm and Cheryl Pailin (David Sr.); grandchildren: Elijah Bester and India Bester; great-grand child Dar’reea Hawkins; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Charley Mae Malone, and siblings Beatrice Malone and John Malone, Jr.

In Yolanda Burt, we have found Proverbs 31’s Virtuous Woman. We shall rise up and call her blessed!

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Mt. Pleasant Heritage House. Please visit mtpleasantheritagehouse.org.

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