2024’s Walk the Talk performance / parade is coming up again on Saturday May 25.
What? You mean almost 2 years have gone by since the last Walk the Talk? That’s right –2 years go by quickly. But, in 2 years lots of good people in Skid Row can make a lot of magic –do a lot of good works. And 8 of the many, many good folks will be highlighted in this year’s parade.
So, get new soles on your high-heel sneakers and prepare to dance down the streets of Skid Row behind our brass band. Don’t forget the parade route stops at a spot chosen by each of the 8 Walk the Talk honorees—and on that spot LA Poverty Department will perform a scene highlighting that person.
On May 25, at noon , we’ll start at the Skid Row Museum to end in Gladys Park around 4pm, honoring 8 more amazing people, chosen by our community in 2024:
Kayo Anderson
From Detroit, Kayo is a former Skid Row resident and dedicated to the well-being of all Black and oppressed people using music and the arts as a medium for self and community wellness and growth. Currently, he is the minister of music and artistic development with The Row Church Without Walls and Creating Justice LA.
Adelene Bertha
Adelene grew up in Skid Row, was part of the UCEPP youth program and later worked with the United Coalition East Prevention Project. Currently she is a Senior Peer Support Specialist with LA’s Downtown Women’s Center and Co-chair of the LA City Skid Row Park Advisory Board. She loves and articulately represents Skid Row.
Gary Brown
“Downtown” Gary Brown – musician, painter, active part of many musical performances and art shows for 20+ years in Skid Row. In 2023 his work was showcased at The Grove L.A and at The Wende Museum. He doesn’t toot his own horn — well, he does amazing toots on his saxophone (and jingles those piano keys) –but he’s very humble and quiet about his talent.
Clancey Cornell
Clancey makes everything better that she is involved with. She began her service in Skid Row as a volunteer at the Lamp arts studio (now the People Concern’s Studio 526) and then with LA Poverty Department, where she’s played an important role in producing the Festival for All Skid Row Artists and as the first archivist at the Skid Row History Museum & Archive.
Lorinda Hawkins-Smith
Lorinda transitioned from being homeless in Skid Row to housed and completed an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She’s an actor, singer, video maker, author, playwright, and advocate against domestic violence. Currently Lorinda has leading roles with Urban Voices Project, the Open Mic at the Skid Row History Museum, and was the MC of the Festival for All Skid Row Artists.
Linda Leigh
Mama Linda Leigh is a healer and artist who uses ritual and ceremony through song, the written word and visual art for healing and consciousness raising. She has been involved with Street Symphony, Urban Voices Project, Studio 526, Skid Row Coffee, LA CAN Food and Wellness Committee, Skid Row Community Refresh Spot and the Skid Row Action Plan.
Sir Oliver
Sir Oliver brings the community together in the spirit of Bob Marley, but more so in the spirit of knitting the community and arts together in the most grassroots approach. He has produced numerous Bob Marley Day, and Jamaican Independence Day festivals in Skid Row. Oliver is responsible for the City of LA’s recognition of Bob Marley Day.
Sieglinde von Deffner
Sieglinde is L.A. County Skid Row coordinator for the Department of Health Services. Sieglinde has helped lots of folks get off the streets and get services. She is always keeping an eye out for the most vulnerable people that she has sheltered.
