Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.
Oral history interview with Christy and Crislove Igeleke conducted by Claytee D. White on November 10, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Christy Igeleke, mother of Crislove, describes her childhood in Nigeria where she owned a sewing school. Her daughter, Crislove, was born in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990 and now serves as the Deputy City Attorney for the City of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Marietta Robertson Turner Whitaker conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Whitaker discusses living in Stockton, California. As a young girl, she performed as a majorette in high school, and found school integration very challenging since the family lived in a non-Black neighborhood. Whitaker was a Girl Scout, entered talent shows, and participated in radio call-in contests to win prizes. Her early work was in retail at J.J. Newberry's and Macy's.
Oral history interview with Ann-Marja Lander conducted by Claytee D. White on August 14, 2023 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Lander tells the history of her family living in Europe, getting visas for the United States in 1953, and migratng to Seattle. The family then moved to Souther California, and Lander worked in a department store in high school and joined B'nai B'rith as she began to feel closer to her Jewish heritage.
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.
Oral history interview with Francisco Miranda conducted by Claytee D. White on January 28, 2022 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, describes his large family and growing up on the Eastside of Las Vegas and spending summers in Mexico on the family farm. Miranda is an organizer, business agent, and political coordinator for the Teamsters Union. He describes coming from a "union family" - his mother in Culinary and father in the Laborers Union.
Oral history interview with Lillie and Johnny Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, the couple recalls meeting in Tallulah, Louisiana and marrying in 1973. In 1986, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Both Lillie and Johnny went to Job Corp and received training that they insist changed their lives and the trajectory of their family. Johhny learned how to drive and operate heavy machinery, and his job at Republic Services utilizes those skills.
Oral history interview with Joan Adams Shoofey conducted by Claytee D. White on January 30, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Shoofey recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, where she became Miss Sahara Hotel Casino before becoming Miss Nevada. Born in Fresno, California, Shoofey moved to Tahoe the day following her high school graduation. She and her friend ran the Stateline Country Club for one season and then moved to Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Kathleen Cortez, Delores "Dee" Gammell, Kelli Hansen, and Sallie Samis conducted by Jerwin Tiu and Stefani Evans on January 26, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, three sisters of seven siblings, Delores "Dee" Gammell, Sallie Samis, and Kathleen "Kathy" Cortez, describe their beginnings in early Las Vegas alongside Dee's daughter, Kelli Hansen. This six generation family of Las Vegas natives trace their roots to Mexico and Delores, Sallie, and Kathleen all recall their childhood spent with family.
Oral history interview with Sandy Croteau conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Croteau discusses the history of Tule Springs area, which covers over 13,000 acres and how she became involved in turning the area into Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. Croteau is a retired real estate professional and a National Parks volunteer.