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Michael Bryant oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03164

Abstract

Oral history interview with Michael Bryant conducted by Claytee D. White on August 05, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bryant details life in the Westside community of Las Vegas, Nevada, his personal history, and life as an African American in Las Vegas. He describes his upbringing in Las Vegas, his father's high-end clothing store, and race relations between the African American and white communities of the city. Bryant also discusses casinos and other Las Vegas attractions, such as the presence of famous celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali, as well as discussing the development of the Westside community. Julia Walton was also present for this interview.

Archival Collection

Helen Anderson Toland oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01833

Abstract

Oral history interview with Helen Anderson Toland conducted by Claytee D. White on February 21, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Toland discusses her childhood in Missouri and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada where her husband, who was a civil rights worker, lived. She also discusses her careers as a speech therapist and the first African American female principal in the Clark County School District. She then talks about her activism in the Las Vegas African American community.

Archival Collection

Cynthia and Edward Watson oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01926

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Cynthia and Edward Watson conducted by Claytee D. White on March 28, 2014 and May 13, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Edward begins by discussing his upbringing in Illinois, being adopted by his grandmother, and how issues regarding his custody arose after his grandmother died. Cynthia discusses her upbringing which was also in Illinois, attending a primarily white high school as a teenager and her experiences there as an African American, and being one of two African American employees in a company of approximately 600 employees. They describe the civil rights movement during the 1960s from their perspectives as African Americans and how their race defined how other people perceived them. The couple then describe moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, Edward's tenure as president of the Las Vegas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and their involvement in the African American community of Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Essie Lee Jones oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02107

Abstract

Oral history interview with Essie Lee Jones conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Jones begins by discussing her upbringing in Tallulah, Louisiana, working in the cotton fields with both white and African American workers, and explaining how she came to move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970. She describes becoming a maid at the Stardust Resort and Casino and later working as a waitress at the Frontier Hotel and Casino until her retirement. Jones talks about being a member of the Culinary Workers Union, the African American community's relationship with the union, and her experiences with racial discrimination and race relations in Las Vegas and Tallulah as an African American woman.

Archival Collection

Keith Brantley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02482

Abstract

Oral history interview with Keith Brantley conducted by Denise Beverstein on October 15, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brantley discusses his personal history and his experiences growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about attending Bonanza High School, being involved in school sports, and establishing The Poet’s Corner, a monthly poetry forum, in the late 1990s. Brantley describes what The Poet’s Corner provided for the community, the history of racism in Las Vegas, and discusses the African American experience as the city changed. Lastly, Brantley recites one of his poems, The Fremont Street Experience.

Archival Collection

Judge Angel oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02207

Abstract

Oral history interview with Judge Angel conducted by Denise M. Beverstein on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Judge Angel shares the reasons she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Angel discusses her career in media production, detailing her positive impact radio show on KLAV1230 AM. Angel talks about the growth of Las Vegas' historic Westside and the businesses that have aided that growth. She also shares her impressions of the African American community in Las Vegas, as well as her hopes for the future of the community.

Archival Collection

Monteria Hightower oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00852

Abstract

Oral history interview with Monteria Hightower conducted by Claytee D. White on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Hightower discusses her career as a librarian who has worked across the United States. She begins by talking about her upbringing in Texas and the multiple universities she has attended to study library science. Hightower describes her experiences with racial discrimination as an African American woman and how racism affected her personal and professional life. Hightower also discusses her time as the Nevada State Librarian from 1998 to 2001 and living in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Keena Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02197

Abstract

Oral history interview with Keena Smith conducted by Winita Frederick on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what Las Vegas was like as a child, her upbringing in dance, and the significance that participating in the arts has on her life. Smith describes the auditioning process for shows in Las Vegas, her experience as an African American dancer, and being a cast member for The Lion King. Lastly, Smith talks about teaching dance courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Harriet Barlow oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02141

Abstract

Oral history interview with Harriet Barlow conducted by Elsha Harris-Tolanda on April 27, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barlow discusses her personal history and growing up in Robbins, Illinois. She talks about her education, discrimination in schools, and the process of school integration. Barlow then recalls her first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada and her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, Barlow describes going through graduate school as an African American and explains why conversations about race relations can be difficult.

Archival Collection

Jerrie Merritt oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02894

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jerrie Merritt conducted by Lisa McAllister on November 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Merritt discusses her early life in Alabama, and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection