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Lawrence Wickliffe oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02203

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lawrence Wickliffe conducted by Kim Odusanya on November 29, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Wickliffe discusses his personal history living in Ferriday, Louisiana and later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He talks about his first impressions of the city and his career as a firefighter. Wickliffe then describes the West Las Vegas riots and protesting for social change, redlining on the Westside, and the recent economic upturn in the area. Later, Wickliffe recalls being the first African American paramedic in Las Vegas and his promotion to Battalion Fire Chief in 1978. He describes assisting at the MGM Grand fire in 1980 and the subsequent implementation of fire sprinkler systems inside hotels and casinos. Lastly, Wickliffe recalls desegregation on the Las Vegas Strip, families moving out of the Westside, and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Eunice Claxton oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01119

Abstract

Eunice Claxton oral history interview conducted by Claytee White on June 4, 5, and 10, 2015 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Claxton discusses living in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, attending the Westside School, working as shield in El Morocco nightclub, and memories of Jackson Street life.

Archival Collection

James Jones Jr. oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00963

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Jones Jr. conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Jones discusses growing up in Waverly and Tallulah, Louisiana in the 1940s. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, his initial impressions of the city, and his employment at the Nevada Test Site. Jones then describes race discrimination on the Strip, the type of jobs available to African Americans, and his experiences living on the Westside. Later, Jones recalls seeing Sammy Davis Jr. perform at the Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas, meeting Martin Luther King Jr., and changes in the Westside. Lastly, Jones discusses his career in funeral services, describes the industry, and running his own business, Thomas and Jones Funeral Home.

Archival Collection

Augusta Massey oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03456

Abstract

Oral history interview with Augusta Massey conducted by Steve Hayes on November 14, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Massey discusses her early life in Nigeria, moving to Memphis, Tennessee, and then relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. She talks about her educational experience in Memphis and compares social life in the South and the West. Massey describes her career in law, working in various law firms in Las Vegas, and starting mentoring programs for new attorneys. Lastly, Massey discusses the importance of scholarships for students in law school, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), and why it is important for lawyers to be active in the LVNBA.

Archival Collection

Cranford Crawford oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02706

Abstract

Oral history interview with Cranford Crawford conducted by Claytee D. White on May 27, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Crawford discusses his early life and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964. He talks about his involvement with the Las Vegas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), working with African American community leaders, and the consent decree of 1971 alleging a series of violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Crawford describes his career with the Clark County Department of Family Services (DFS), issues of segregation in Las Vegas, and being involved with Les Femmes Douze (The Ladies Twelve). Lastly, Crawford discusses Las Vegas government, school integration, and becoming a Freemason.

Archival Collection

Lonnie Pittman oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01486

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lonnie Pittman conducted by Beverly Williams on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pittman, an African American man, describes the treatment and living conditions of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Pittman also discusses the job opportunities available to African Americans, segregation, and the quality of schooling available to African American children at the time.

Archival Collection

Beryl Warren oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02720

Abstract

Oral history interview with Beryl Warren conducted by Claytee D. White on June 21, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Warren begins her interview by describing her early life in Mobile, Alabama in the 1940s and 1950s. She then discusses her young adult life in California as a telephone operator. Warren then talks about her marriages, her education at St. Dominguez College in California, and working for Motown Records as production assistant. Warren then discusses her husband, Mark Warren, a prominent African American television producer and director. She explains that she came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 when Mark wanted to buy a vacation home in the area. She then talks about how during the 1990s the couple had jobs in Las Vegas, but also commuted to work in Los Angeles on occasion, until her husband's death in 1999. She then describes how family tragedy led to her raising her grandchildren, and also take on some hobbies, such as gardening, in order to live an active lifestyle. Warren then discusses her life with her husband and her fondness for him, and having to teach her grandsons to be cautious around police while raising them in Las Vegas. Lastly, she recalls her community work and her service organization, Southern Nevada Collation of Concerned Women (SNCCW).

Archival Collection

Rochelle Hooks oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02919

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rochelle Hooks conducted by Rebecca Snetselaar and Binnie Wilkin on April 12, 2016 for the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. Hooks begins by talking about who she is and what she does. She explains what storytelling is in the African American community and how she used education to tell them. She describes her experiences with storytelling, the lessons she has learned, and what she appreciates about it. Then, Hooks speaks about important people in the African American community and the impact they had. She talks about the reason she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, the development of the African American community and arts, and the impacts of storytelling. Lastly, she recalls stories about her family history.

Archival Collection

Norma de la Cerna Tolbert oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02886

Abstract

Oral history interview with Norma de la Cerna Tolbert conducted by Claytee D. White on June 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Tolbert discusess her career as a professional dancer from the age of fifteen. She begins by describing her early childhood in Houston, Texas, moving to Chicago, Illinois where she began to study dance, and leaving home at fifteen years old to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey to dance in professional productions. Tolbert then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, performing at the Moulin Rouge, and living in the Berkley Square community where they built new housing for the dancers. She also discusses performing at the Dunes Hotel and Casino, the African American community of Las Vegas, and the closing of the Moulin Rouge.

Archival Collection

Arby L. Hambric oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02481

Abstract

Oral history interview with Arby L. Hambric conducted by Claytee D. White on September 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Hambric discusses serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War in the United States Navy, while recalling racial experiences in the military. He also talks about moving to Nevada in 1976 and protesting against the closing of F Street from 2008 to 2014, when the street was reopened.

Archival Collection