In 1964, the year that Vincent Kethen was born, desegregation of Las Vegas schools began. Like many African-American children living in the Las Vegas Westside neighborhood, Vincent was bused out of his neighborhood in third grade to attend a white school. In his case, this meant attending John S. Park Elementary and later other predominantly white schools. He talks about these experiences. John S. Park was a neighborhood of manicured lawns, while the school bus and the classroom were places fraught with fisticuffs. The experience of growing up during that era are recalled. Vincent provides a sense of that it was like to reside in his home neighborhood and the onslaught of the drug culture altered gang-lead neighborhoods. Being bused had positive results he explains, such as athletics, which served as an equalizer. For Vincent, a solid upbringing, which included love of church and the chance to attend college, encouraged him to make good decisions about his future. He received a four-year degree and he returned to Las Vegas to "give back." For over a decade and a half, her has coached young basketball players and helped them see their options for a brighter future than they might otherwise have seen.
Oral history interview with Magdalena Martinez conducted by Monserrath Hernandez and Barbara Tabach on April 4, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Magdalena Martinez recalls her childhood and growing up in Los Angeles, California. Martinez's parents are from Durango, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. Martinez describes the generational differences that the women in her family faced and how the feminist movement of the 1970s did not resonate with women of color. Her family moved to Las Vegas in 1986 where she attended Bishop Gorman High School. After transferring to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from community college and joining a student organization that would later become Student Organization of Latinxs, she became an early member of the Latino Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC) sponsored by the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Martinez describes how the LYLC has evolved over the years, and talks about her role in those changes. She discusses past work for CSN, NSHE, and currently is the Director of Education Programs with the Lincy Institute.
Interview with Theron and Naomi Goynes conducted by Claytee D. White on June 28 and July 12, 2012. A retired school principal, Theron Goynes also served as a North Las Vegas councilman and mayor pro-temp and was the first black in Nevada history to chair a government body. Naomi had thirty-six-year career in local education.
Two audio clips from an interview with Theron and Naomi Goynes by Claytee D. White on June 28 and July 12, 2012. In the clips, Theron and Naomi remember their early years in the Las Vegas schools and the advent of desegregation.
Marzette Lewis is an outspoken community activist, especially in the area of local education. She is the founder of the WAAK-UP group. The interview took place over two sessions, session 1 was recorded October 30, 2012 and session 2 was recorded November 14, 2012.
Part of an interview with Marzette Lewis by Claytee White on October 30, 2012. Lewis discusses community involvement in the movement for equality in elementary schools to stop bussing children to schools in different neighborhoods.
Interview with Ruby Duncan conducted by Claytee White in two sessions on February 13, 2007 and March 2, 2007. Duncan discusses her employment history and dependence on public assistance in Las Vegas, as well as her participation in the Welfare Rights Movement and Operation Life.
Part of an interview with Ruby Duncan conducted by Claytee White, March 2, 2013. Duncan talks about the Welfare Rights "sit-in" at the Palms Room at the Stardust Hotel with Mary Wesley and a group of children. Ruby and Mary were arrested and promptly released.