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Ronnie Bank oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02205

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ronnie Bank conducted by Lael Byrd on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bank discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Hilton (currently Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Bank then describes nightlife and entertainment on the Strip in the 1980s, discrimination at night clubs, and West Las Vegas entertainment. He goes on to describe the riots following Rodney King’s death, the challenges with interracial relationships, and why families began moving away from the Westside. Lastly, Bank discusses working as a disc jockey (DJ) in Las Vegas, African American radio stations, and the development of the Westside.

Archival Collection

Rainier Spencer oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02888

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rainier Spencer conducted by Sarah Buckner on April 27, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Spencer discusses his personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1997. He talks about his experience as a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and his involvement regarding diversity issues at UNLV. Spencer then discusses the novel Imitation of Life by Fannie Hurst and how he uses the issues of racism in that story to describe the notion of biological race, social race, and the idea that race is socially constructed. Later, Spencer recalls teaching civil rights courses and how he dealt with students who had misconceptions about the course subjects. Lastly, Spencer talks about his favorite pieces of literature to use in his courses.

Archival Collection

Barbara Bates Kirkland oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01027

Abstract

Oral history interview with Barbara Bates Kirkland conducted by Claytee D. White on November 12, 2004 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Kirkland discusses working at the Westside School with Mabel Hoggard and co-founding the La Femme Douze.

Archival Collection

Walter Mason oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01212

Abstract

Oral history interview with Walter Mason conducted by Claytee D. White on February 17, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mason discusses his early life and describes living through the Harlem Renaissance in New York during the 1930s. Mason talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada while producing shows with Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1960s. He highlights his career in theatrical acting, stage production, and as an entertainment director at venues at the Sands, Caesars Palace, and Las Vegas Hilton. Mason then recalls the West Las Vegas community and it's increase of arts programs for children. Lastly, Mason discusses the future for African American youth in the Westside and the growth of the community.

Archival Collection

Claytee D. White oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02214

Abstract

Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Jessica Avila Pifferrer on December 01, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, White discusses her career as the Director of the Oral History Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries. She describes why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1992, enrolling in the American History master's program at UNLV, and participating in the Women in Gaming and Entertainment project. She talks about memorable interviews she has conducted, including interviews with the African American community of Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Shannon Rabb oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03910

Abstract

Oral history interview with Shannon Rabb conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rabb describes her experience living in the Herbert Gerson Housing Development on the Westwide of Las Vegas. She describes it as safe, as community, and as protection from the police. In this interview, Rabb discusses a wide variety of topics including gangs, drugs, Westside businesses, and family with an expanded definition.

Archival Collection

Donna Rodriguez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02196

Abstract

Oral history interview with Donna Rodriguez conducted by Justin Burrows on November 24, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rodriguez discusses her personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993. She describes her first impressions of the city, her employment at McCarran International Airport, and working as a security dispatcher for casinos. Rodriguez then talks about the development of security surveillance at casinos, discrimination towards African American gamblers, and recalls the training she received. Later, Rodriguez discusses her church involvement, teaching at her church's Sunday school, and shares how she managed to raise her children on her own. Lastly, she talks about the role that politics had on minority communities, the importance of education, and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Yolanda Rayford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02440

Abstract

Oral history interview with Yolanda Rayford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 11, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her personal history and what it was like to have a parent in the armed services during her youth. She talks about living in Tokyo, Japan while her father was stationed there and describes life on the military base. Rayford recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969 and describes the riots that were happening in West Las Vegas at the time. She goes on to talk about the entertainment on Jackson Street and discusses how Jackson Street was the downtown for the Westside community. Lastly, Rayford talks of her employment at the Nevada Test Site doing clerical work and the future of the African American community in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

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