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Roy Brown oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00134

Abstract

Oral history interview with Roy Brown conducted by John Grygo on March 05, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses his personal history and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1954. He recalls moving to West Las Vegas and attending segregated schools at the time. Brown then talks about the positive influence that church and spirituality have on the Westside community. He describes his employment at the Stardust Hotel and Casino and working with the Culinary Workers Union after beginning his new employment at the MGM Grand Hotel. Lastly, Brown discusses changes in African American churches and describes how the newer generations have influenced change within the church.

Archival Collection

Vance "Stretch" Sanders oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02904

Abstract

Oral history interview with Vance "Stretch" Sanders conducted by Camisha Fagan and Micajah Daniels on November 11, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Sanders discusses his early life and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2011. He talks about his upbringing in Las Vegas, the influence of organized crime in the city, and the importance of church and religion to him. Sanders then recalls founding the All Shades United organization, with the goal of having people of all colors come together in solidarity to dismantle the institutional and structural barriers that oppress the marginalized. Lastly, Sanders describes the impact that his organization has had on the African American community, the importance of education, and dealing with violence against minority groups.

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

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

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

An Interview with Katherine M. Joseph

Identifier

OH-00979

Abstract

Oral history interview with Katherine M. Joseph conducted by Claytee D. White on October 25, 2004 and September 05, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Joseph discusses dancing in Paris, France with Josephine Baker and working at the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino during its heyday. Joseph also discusses race segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and of the burgeoning and bustling African-American communities and neighborhoods.

Archival Collection