DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — It would take more than a power outage to keep Downtown from honoring one of its most beloved community activists.

The Lesley Gilb Taplin Memorial Celebration switched its program order around to cope with a DWP outage that left Vibiana powerless, and people from all over Downtown mingled and dined while generators were being delivered.

It made for a resourceful, adaptable, smart, graceful and patient evening––and became a testament to Taplin’s way of looking at the world.

The biggest applause of the night came from residents and community leaders from Skid Row, who cheered when the list of the projects led and inspired by Taplin were read.

A small touch, but very telling of what Lesley represented: Photos and articles about Taplin were displayed in the back of the room, including the words of those who commented here at blogdowntown.

No community left behind.