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Vegas PBS Interviews for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project (OH-03598)

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Ruby Amie Pilot, Eva G. Simmons, Melvin Sanders, Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold, Hannah Brown, Sonny Thomas, and Claytee White conducted by Vegas PBS on April 01, 2013, April 02, 2013, April 12, 2013, and November 19, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, the participants discuss their early lives and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pilot talks about segregation on the Las Vegas Strip, integration, and the importance of church activities in the African American community. Simmons describes her career as a teacher, the schools on the Westside, and businesses on Jackson Street. Thomas describes the funeral industry and his role as a funeral director. McMillan-Arnold talks about segregated Las Vegas, African American entertainers, and the issue of homelessness on the Westside. Brown remembers growing up on the Westside, segregated schools, and her role as President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Las Vegas chapter. Lastly, Sanders discusses his childhood in Las Vegas, being the son of a preacher, and the redevelopment of the Westside.

Finding Aid PDF

Date

2013-04-01
2013-04-02
2013 April 12
2013 November 19

Extent

16 digital_files (1.26 GB) MP4

Scope and Contents Note

Oral history interviews with Ruby Amie Pilot, Eva G. Simmons, Melvin Sanders, Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold, Hannah Brown, Sonny Thomas, and Claytee White conducted by Vegas PBS on April 01, 2013, April 02, 2013, April 12, 2013, and November 19, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, the participants discuss their early lives and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pilot talks about segregation on the Las Vegas Strip, integration, and the importance of church activities in the African American community. Simmons describes her career as a teacher, the schools on the Westside, and businesses on Jackson Street. Thomas describes the funeral industry and his role as a funeral director. McMillan-Arnold talks about segregated Las Vegas, African American entertainers, and the issue of homelessness on the Westside. Brown remembers growing up on the Westside, segregated schools, and her role as President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Las Vegas chapter. Lastly, Sanders discusses his childhood in Las Vegas, being the son of a preacher, and the redevelopment of the Westside. Digital video available; no transcript available.

Access Note

Collection is open for research. Where use copies do not exist, production of use copies is required before access will be granted; this may delay research requests. Advanced notice is required.

Publication Rights

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish. Some transcripts do not exist in final form, therefore any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked.

No release form is on file for this interview. The interview is accessible onsite only, and researchers must seek permission from the interviewee or heirs for quotation, reproduction, or publication. Please contact special.collections@unlv.edu for further information.

Preferred Citation

Vegas PBS Interviews for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project, 2013 April 01, 2013 April 02, 2013 April 12, 2013 November 19. OH-03598. [Cite format consulted: Audio recording or Transcript.] Oral History Research Center, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Acquisition Note

This interview was conducted by the Oral History Research Center (OHRC) which is part of the UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Division.

Processing Note

Interview materials were processed by UNLV Libraries Special Collections and Archives in 2019. Miguel Dominguez wrote the collection description. Access copies were created for born-digital audio files. The video has been minimally reviewed and all readily available information has been included in the description.

Collection Type

EAD ID

US::NvLN::OH03598

Finding Aid Description Rules

Describing Archives: A Content Standard
English