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Louis Family oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02187

Abstract

Oral history interviews with the family of Joe Louis conducted by Claytee D. White on November 18, 2014 and February 06, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, the family of Joe Louis discuss his life and career as a famous African American boxer from the 1930s to 1950s. They describe charity fights he held to raise money for the Navy Relief Fund during World War II, which later became an issue for him when the Internal Revenue Service claimed he still owed taxes on the money he raised despite it being donated. The family discusses what it was like growing up and meeting celebrity friends of Louis', such as Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali, Louis' involvement with the Moulin Rouge Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Louis' status as an African American sports hero. They also detail his eventual retirement from boxing, his job working as a greeter at Caesars Palace, and his death.

Archival Collection

Dell Ray Rhodes oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01560

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dell Ray Rhodes conducted by Claytee D. White on April 01, 2010 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Rhodes discusses working at various jobs, including being one of the first African-Americans to work in the University of Nevada Las Vegas Registrar's office and at the U.S. Post Office. She also discusses the civil rights movement and school integration in Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1970s.

Archival Collection

Marilyn Armstrong and Brenda Williams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03760

Abstract

Oral history interview with Marilyn Armstrong and Brenda Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on April 13, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.

Marilyn Armstrong discusses her employment history becoming a beautician and business owner in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also talks of her husband's decision to start the Ray and Ross Bus Company, the largest transportation firm in the state in the 1950s and 1960s, and what it was like growing up in the Westside community. Finally, she mentions the businesses that flourished on Jackson Avenue, inlcuding her mother's beauty shop.

Subjects discussed include: Margie's Beauty Shop; Cadillac Arms; Berkley Square; Cosmetique; Miss Elizabeth Coiffure; and Ray & Ross Bus Company

Archival Collection

Ida Webb oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03436

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ida Webb conducted by Claytee D. White on February 29, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Webb discusses her childhood in the American South. She discusses her family's move from Tallulah, Louisiana to McNary, Arizona, and then their migration to Las Vegas, Nevada. Webb shares her experiences as a young African American mother in Las Vegas in the 1940s and the things her and her husband did to provide for their family. She shares her views on her marriage and her views on African American culture of the time. Webb discusses her husband's civic involvement and his job at the Las Vegas Sun. She details her experiences working in the hospitality industry for such early casinos as the El Rancho Hotel & Casino, The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, and the Last Frontier Hotel & Casino. She shares her own civic involvements and her participation in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.

Archival Collection

Reverend Fouston Jordon Sr. oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02212

Abstract

Oral history interview with Reverend Fouston Jordan Sr. conducted by Rachel Mack on November 24, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Jordan discusses his early life in Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960. He talks about the lack of skilled jobs for minorities and his experience working at the Nevada Test Site. Jordan then describes the protests and strikes held by Culinary Workers Union members in response to casinos not employing certain minority groups. Later, Jordan discusses the significance that churches had on the African American community and their role to help push for certain civil rights.

Archival Collection

Fannie Carr-Thomas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02511

Abstract

Oral history interview with Fannie Carr-Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on December 05, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Carr-Thomas discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada and the neighborhood she grew up in. She describes her visits to Hawthorne, Nevada and talks about the casinos there. Carr-Thomas then recalls working with her father in construction and seeing for herself the growth of Las Vegas. Later, Carr-Thomas discusses West Las Vegas and the deteriorating effects the increase of drug use had on the community. She talks about school integration in the 1970s, African American employment on the Las Vegas Strip, and shares her opinions on the future of the Westside.

Archival Collection

William Eugene Plaid oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01689

Abstract

Oral history interview with William Eugene Plaid conducted by Claytee D. White on June 03, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Plaid begins by describing his family history and his upbringing in Illinois, telling stories from his childhood and young adulthood concerning his jobs, education, and discrimination he faced as an African American. He discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963, where he began his career as a waiter at the Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino before later working at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, where he spent the majority of his career. Plaid details the celebrities he has served, including Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle, racial segregation and integration in Las Vegas, and the service industry in the casinos. Other topics of discussion include his children, organized crime in Las Vegas, and how Las Vegas has changed since the 1960s.

Archival Collection

Carrie Neal oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02512

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carrie Neal conducted by Aireona Bradford on November 15, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Neal discusses her upbringing and migration from the South, her marriage and move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her work in the back-of-the-house at multiple casino-hotels, the Black church and the influence of the Culinary Union.

Archival Collection

Verlia Davis Hoggard oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00874

Abstract

Oral history interview with Verlia Davis Hoggard conducted by Claytee D. White on March 15, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History. In this interview, Hoggard discusses her personal history growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas. She talks about her employment which included writing for the Arkansas State Press, working as a social worker, and working with the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB). Hoggard then describes being recruited by the EOB to work at the Clark County Social Service in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. She discusses becoming involved in the welfare rights movement in Las Vegas and other social organizations. Later, Hoggard recalls how African American sororities and fraternities were involved in the Las Vegas community, organizing scholarships for students, and making the process to join these organizations easier. Lastly, Hoggard discusses going to see shows on the Strip, Jackson Street, and in West Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Lawrence Wickliffe oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02203

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lawrence Wickliffe conducted by Kim Odusanya on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Wickliffe discusses his personal history living in Ferriday, Louisiana and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He talks about his first impressions of the city and his career as a firefighter. Wickliffe then describes the West Las Vegas riots and protesting for social change, redlining on the Westside, and the recent economic upturn in the area. Later, Wickliffe recalls being the first African American paramedic in Las Vegas and his promotion to Battalion Fire Chief in 1978. He describes assisting at the MGM Grand fire in 1980 and the subsequent implementation of fire sprinkler systems inside hotels and casinos. Lastly, Wickliffe recalls desegregation on the Las Vegas Strip, families moving out of the Westside, and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection