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George Simmons oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01701

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Simmons conducted by Claytee D. White on December 13, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview George Simmons discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Eva in 1963. He talks about racial discrimination, especially with buying a house. He then discusses his long career as an engineer with the Holmes and Naver engineering firm.

Archival Collection

Gene Collins oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00144

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gene Collins conducted by Claytee White on August 31, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Gene Collins speaks about how his family lived in West Las Vegas, Nevada, which at the time was a thriving community where African Americans owned their own businesses. Gene talked about how the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. led to a riot and how it inspired him to run for state assemblyman where he was instrumental in getting the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday bill to pass. He spoke about his time as the president of the Las Vegas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he addressed the lack of African Americans in the gaming industry in addition to filing the largest equal employment opportunity commission suit filed in the state of Nevada against the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

Archival Collection

Hannah Brown oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00131

Abstract

Oral history interview with Hannah Brown conducted by Claytee White on September 27, 2012 and May 09, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Brown talks about the Westside, growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, the creation of the Economic Opportunity Board, and her direct involvement in the welfare rights marches and movement.

Archival Collection

Ida Pinckney oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02900

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Ida Pinckney conducted by Claytee D. White on August 23, 2012 and November 05, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Pinckney discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada after moving there with her family as a child in 1942. She begins by talking about her family and living in a tent house in the Westside community of Las Vegas. Pinckney describes how she feels Westside development has been stunted by an overabundance of churches in the area not paying taxes, life in the Westside during the 1940s, and her experiences as an African American woman in Las Vegas. Other topics of discussion include Pinckney being a member of Culinary Workers Union Local 226, her father and brother working at the Nevada Test Site, and various aspects of Las Vegas history. Willie Jean Beatty also participates in the interview, helping Pinckney expand on topics such as the presence of organized crime in casinos and her involvement in the Sisters Network: An Afro-American Breast Cancer Survivors Organization.

Archival Collection

Minister Vance "Stretch" Sanders oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03867

Abstract

Oral history interview with Minister Vance "Stretch" Sanders conducted by Claytee D. White on June 8, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Sanders recalls his early childhood in Chicago, Illinois and his family's eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada to escape the crime in Chicago. Sanders discusses hosting his first public rally in Las Vegas and the many rallies and protests that followed. The first rally took place on August 3, 2015 on behalf of Sandra Bland.

Archival Collection

Eva and Roberta Martin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03461

Abstract

Oral history interview with Eva and Roberta Martin conducted by Claytee D. White on August 30, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Eva and Roberta discuss their family’s background and upbringing in Chicago, Illinois. Eva talks about her employment for Eastman Kodak, opening up a dry cleaning business, and buying a McDonald's franchise with her husband. Roberta recalls attending Tuskegee University, going to law school, and becoming a public defender. Eva talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, opening three McDonald's franchises, and becoming a franchise operator with help of the National Black McDonald's Operators Association (NBMOA). Lastly, they discuss their involvement with the Jim Martin Family Trust, Ronald McDonald House, Shade Tree, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Foundation Advisory Board.

Archival Collection

Charles West oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01954

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charles West conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 19, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. West discusses the African American community in Las Vegas, Nevada and what the living conditions were for them. West then explains how the Nevada Voters League changed the way politics played out after more African Americans went out to vote. He also discusses his work as the first African American Doctor in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Lawrence Weekly oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02194

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lawrence Weekly conducted by Elsha Harris Yolanda on November 19, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Weekly discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the importance of religion in his upbringing and his parent’s employment in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. Weekly describes the racial discrimination he experienced in education, attending the College of Southern Nevada and later transferring to Grambling State University in Louisiana. Later, Weekly discusses his rationale for attending a historically Black college, his career as a Clark County Commissioner, and the reopening of F Street. Lastly, Weekly talks about the lack of progress in race relations across the United States.

Archival Collection

James Tate oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01804

Abstract

Oral history interviews with James Tate conducted by Claytee D. White on April 23, 2013 and May 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Tate begins by discussing his upbringing in Illinois and later Connecticut, his family, and how his father being a member of the Communist Party affected how he views the world politically. He describes his education, what lead him to pursue a career in medicine and eventually become a surgeon, and the hospitals he worked at before arriving in Nevada during the 1980s. Tate details his career as a surgeon in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as in Reno, Nevada, and the difficulties he faced with the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners.

Archival Collection

Joel Coombs oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00267

Abstract

Oral history interview with Joel Coombs conducted by Claytee White on February 22, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Joel Coombs spoke about how his peers reacted to his interracial family. He recalls attending Valley High School amidst racial tensions, racism, and prejudice. He also spoke about the drug abuse happening at Valley High School and Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada. He recalled participating in protests as a child and landing on the front page of The Post.

Archival Collection