J. Ross (James Ross) Clark (1850-1927) was the leading figure behind the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad which, in 1902, connected Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Clark also had a deep interest in California corporations in Los Angeles, and was a member and supporter of multiple charitable and civic organizations. Some organizations he was a part of included the Masons, the Jonathan Club, the California Club, the Midwick and the Los Angeles Country Club, and the Sierra Madre Club.

Don Cunningham, Jazz musician and Las Vegas resident was born in 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri. As a child he was heavily influenced by blues and jazz musicians such as BB King, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald. Growing up in St. Louis Cunningham worked shining shoes and cleaning steps going to white neighborhoods working inside taverns. He received saxophone lessons from a family friend and joined the band attending a segregated high school.