Cecilia Tapscott

Cecilia Tapscott, born in 1935, grew up on 14th and Essex St. in Los Angeles, CA. As a young child, she held dance performances and piano recitals. At the age of 13, Cecilia ran for “Girls Vice President” at LaFayette Jr. High School, where she met Horace Tapscott, her future husband. Cecilia married Horace in 1952 and had 5 children together. During Horace’s early musical career, Celicia kept her family afloat as she worked as an accountant at the General Hospital. Once Horace’s music started taking off, Cecilia joined Horace on his tours throughout Europe, visited him during his recording sessions in New York and Santa Barbara, and surprised him with cakes decorated as pianos when he returned home from long tours. Throughout her adult life, Cecilia faced many forms of racial discrimination including, redlining, police violence, and withholding of employment. Today, Cecilia enjoys spending time with her family, going to church and bible study, and shopping at her favorite stores.