Fifth interview in a series of five with Nevada State Senator Joe Neal conducted by Claytee D. White on June 1, 2006. Born in Mounds, Louisiana, in 1935, Neal joined his family in Las Vegas as a young man shortly before serving in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Neal continued his education at the Institute of Applied Science in Chicago, Illinois, with postgraduate work in law. From 1973 to 2001, he served in the Nevada Legislature as the Senator from Clark County Senatorial District No. 4. In the fifth interview, Neal recalls the rise of the Black Panther Party and the atmosphere of fear when Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army. In closing, Neal relates that voting machines were impounded to protect votes for Aaron Williams, the first black elected to the city council of North Las Vegas, and shares memories of Judge Mendoza.
Interview with Ruth Eppenger D'Hondt conducted by Claytee D. White on August 25, 2011 and July 9, 2012. Born and raised in Las Vegas, D'Hondt was one of the early black cocktail servers on the Las Vegas Strip, working at Caesars Palace for twenty-six years. D'Hondt's family owned a restaurant, Mattie's Cafe, and her father also worked at the Nevada Test Site.
Interview with Isadore Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 7, 2008. Born in Tallulah, Louisiana, Washington came to Las Vegas with his family in 1942 at the age of eight. He recalls playing with Wayne Newton when they were children and life on the Westside. Washington joined the sheriff's department after high school and became the first black deputy sheriff.
Interview with Dr. Agnes Lockette conducted by Shannon Smith on February 26, 1980. Lockette moved to Nevada to be an elementary school teacher and an early childhood education professor at UNLV. She reviews the evolution of education in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Interview with Audrey James conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2012. James moved to Las Vegas in 1952 and worked as an elementary school teacher. She also spearheaded a project to provide books for children in African countries, volunteered in a food bank operation, and has been an active church member.
Jerushia McDonald-Hylton and Suzilene McDonald are two of five children of entrepreneurial Westside parents, who became successful entertainers and models.