Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 41 - 50 of 500

Sylvester Collier oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03183

Abstract

Oral history interview with Sylvester Collier conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Collier discusses his early life in Dallas, Texas. He talks about his interest in art, joining the United States Air Force in 1951, and being sent to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Collier recalls attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), earning a master’s degree in education, and teaching art classes in the Clark County School District (CCSD). Later, Collier discusses starting the Left of Center Art Gallery, and describes some of his art pieces. Lastly, Collier talks about his experience as an African American artist.

Archival Collection

Lawrence Murray oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03154

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lawrence Murray conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Murray discusses his early life in Altheimer, Arkansas. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960, living in the Westside, and his time serving in the military. Murray recalls being a member of the Carpenters Local Union 1780, completing a four-year educational program offered by the Union, and his employment at J.A. Tiberti Construction Company. Later, Murray discusses his religious life, being involved in church activities, and remembers African American spiritual leaders in the Westside. He describes becoming the Pastor for Living World Ministry Church of God in Christ, and his efforts to change Las Vegas cultural stereotypes. Lastly, Murray talks about the significance of the church in the African American community, and the important role that women have in churches.

Archival Collection

Marcia Washington oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01924

Abstract

Oral history interview with Marcia Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 14, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Marcia Washington discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at age thirteen and only attending black only schools. She talks about fun times from her childhood, her family life after getting married in 1972, and becoming the first African American on the State Board of Education in 2000.

Archival Collection

Pat Spearman oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02627

Abstract

Oral history interview with Pat Spearman conducted by Lisa McAllister on March 03, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Spearman discusses her experiences in the military and becoming a minister at United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what it was like to serve in the military as a gay woman and telling church members about her sexuality. Spearman then talks about the African American gay community in Las Vegas and the intersectionality of race, class, religion, sexuality, and politics. Lastly, Spearman discusses her plans to get re-elected as a Nevada State Senator.

Archival Collection

Clarence Gilyard oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02211

Abstract

Oral history interview with Clarence Gilyard conducted by Barbara Paige on December 02, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Gilyard begins the interview by discussing his upbringing on United States Air Force bases, his father's career as an Airman, and the advantages he had attending Air Force schools as a child as opposed to attending public schools, where he may have faced discrimination as an African American. He describes his higher education, playing college football, and later pursuing a career in acting after becoming involved in local theatre while attending college at California State University, Long Beach. Gilyard continues, detailing how he gained more acting work and eventually acted alongside actors like Jim Carrey, Andy Griffith, and Chuck Norris, as well as starred in film and television series such as Top Gun, Die Hard, Matlock, and Walker, Texas Ranger. He concludes by discussing his career as an acting teacher and continuing his own education.

Archival Collection

Harvey Munford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02439

Abstract

Oral history interview with Harvey Munford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 21, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Munford begins by discussing his career as a Nevada State Assemblyman and the Nevada legislative process. He then describes his early history, detailing his college education and athletic career as a basketball player for the University of Akron and later at Montana State University Billings. Munford also describes the discrimination he faced as an African American throughout his life particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966, and his thirty-eight year career as a teacher in the Clark County School District.

Archival Collection

Everlena Brown oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02713

Abstract

Oral history interview with Everlena Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses her upbringing in Moro, Arkansas and moving to Little Rock, Arkansas. She talks about the Little Rock Nine students and her experience attending a segregated school for African Americans. Brown recalls attending Clark County Community College (now College of Southern Nevada) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), becoming a nurse, and the process of applying for nursing positions. Later, Brown discusses living in the Westside, entertainment on Jackson Street, and participating in church activities. Lastly, Brown describes changes in the Westside.

Archival Collection

Morse Arberry oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02510

Abstract

Oral history interview with Morse Arberry conducted by Brittany Thompson and Andrew Thomas on November 20, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Arberry discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. He talks about his father's employment at the Nevada Test Site and the issues of segregation at the time. Arberry recalls attending the Westside School and talks about school integration. He then describes his career in legislation, working on bills to improve the integration process, and the impact that the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) had on the level of education among adults in the community. Lastly, Arberry discusses the West Las Vegas community, the significance that religion had on African Americans, and the increase of law enforcement in the area.

Archival Collection

Nadine Connor and Harriet Watson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03443

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nadine Connor and Harriet Watson conducted by Claytee D. White on May 29, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Connor and Watson discuss their early lives and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. They talk about African American women’s civil and social work, and the establishment of Charms, Inc. Watson describes founding the Las Vegas chapter of Charms, Inc. and organizing activities to feed the hungry, assist homeless youth, and funding for higher education. Lastly, Connor and Watson discuss the homelessness issue in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Charles Roland oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02889

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charles Roland conducted by Claytee D. White on August 16, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Roland begins by describing why his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 and attending Las Vegas High School. He discusses the African American community in Las Vegas, working in a restaurant called Sill's Drive-In, and his father, who opened the Hamburger Heaven restaurants. Roland also discusses race relations in Las Vegas prior to integration, the Binion family, and how Las Vegas has changed.

Archival Collection