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Claytee D. White oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03904

Abstract

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.

She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.

After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.

Archival Collection

Leslee Thomas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03350

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leslee Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas is the granddaughter of Larry Wilburn and daughter of Terry Wilburn, owners of Larry's Sight & Sound, a business institution in the Westside. The business, first located at 1318 D Street, was initially called Larry's Music Bar. The Music Bar moved to Owens Avenue and was renamed Larry's Sight & Sound. For 35 years until 1992, the music shop drew in stars and locals for its vinyl records, record players, and casssettes. In the interview, Thomas shares how she learned to work in the business, stay connected to family, and be a contributing member of the community. She describes her dreams for the Westside, which include giving tourists reasons to visit the Black community, capital investments, and marketing. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Elizebeth Dewey Russell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03270

Abstract

Oral history interview with Elizebeth Dewey Russell conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Russell talks about her mother, Ruth Bradshaw Dewey, a white woman, who taught at the Westside School (1949-1955), saw Josephine Baker at the El Rancho in 1952, attended the opening night of the Moulin Rouge in 1955, and served as the secretary of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP for several years. Russell describes living with her mother in the Mayfair deveopment just south of 17th Street at Charleston and graduating from Las Vegas High School. She recalls spending summers with her father, John Bradshaw, in Caliente, Nevada, where he worked as a mechanic for the Union Pacific Railroad.

Archival Collection

Jocelyn "Joyce" Egbalic oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03353

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jocelyn "Joyce" Egbalic conducted by Stefani Evans for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Born and raised in Luzon, Philippines, Egbalic recalls her parents' careers as an architectural engineer and draftsman for a municipality. After she graduated high school, the family joined relatives in Minnesota. Joyce eventually relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. In this interview, Egbalic discusses her Culinary Union steward duties, job security, medical benefits, and her work as a cocktail server at the Rio versus at the non-union Hard Rock. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

George Lee oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03437

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Su Kim Chung on February 29, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee describes his four decades of experience as a Las Vegas blackjack dealer (36 at the Four Queens Casino), after leaving behind a career in dance. Lee was selected to originate the role of "Tea" in a 1954 New York City Ballet stage production of The Nutcracker. He also danced in South Pacific at the Thunderbird, and with Carol Channing's revue at The Riviera, and a traveling production of Disney on Parade. After dancing in Alcazar de Paris at the Desert Inn Hotel in 1980, he quit dancing and went to dealer school. He worked swing shift at the Four Queens Hotel, and attended ballet classes at UNLV during the day. Lee, now 89, still works five days a week at the Four Queens. In this interview, Lee talks about ballet, typecasting, discipline, and being "ten times better." He discusses becoming a U.S. citizen in 1959 and changing his surname from Li to Lee.

Archival Collection

Jacque Olvera-Deki and Richard H. Deki oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03266

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jacque Olvera-Deki and Richard H. Deki conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 18, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Richard and Jacque describe their early lives, moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1997, and being in close proximity to both the 1 October and December 6 shootings in Las Vegas. Digital audio and photographs available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Game On! The Oral History of Las Vegas Sports Interviews

Identifier

OH-03922

Abstract

The Game On! Oral History of Sports in Las Vegas interviews (2024-) contain all oral history interviews conducted by UNLV University Libraries Oral History Research Center. This project centers on documenting the history of sports in Las Vegas, including interviews discussing the earliest teams to the most recent champions. Interviews cover a wide array of sports including hockey, football, baseball, softball, auto racing, tennis, basketball, poker, boxing, rodeo, golf, running, esports, and more. Digital audio available for all interviews; check collection inventory for individual narrators and more detailed information on specific interviews.

Archival Collection

UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews

Identifier

OH-03923

Abstract

The UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews (2024-) contain all oral history interviews conducted by UNLV University Libraries Oral History Research Center. This project aims to enhance the historical record about the events of December 6, 2023 shooting with first-hand accounts of the tragedy, campus and community response, and recovery efforts. Interviews are with students, staff, faculty, and others. Digital audio available for all interviews; check collection inventory for individual narrators and more detailed information on specific interviews.

Archival Collection

Dennis McBride oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03888

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Dennis McBride conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on various dates in March, April, and May 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McBride goes into detail in this 4-session interview and covers a wide variety of topics, including: the history of Boulder City, working at various cultural institutions in Las Vegas, the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas, researching his own history and publishing a book, and local advocacy groups. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Patty and Harry Todd oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03925

Abstract

Oral history interview with Patty and Harry Todd conducted by Claytee D. White on May 28, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patty Todd describes her childhood on the Westside of Las Vegas, and remembers a friendly community. She attended the Westside School and graduated from Rancho High School. Patty met her husband, Harry, at a Military Appreciation Ball on October 15, 1966. Harry Todd grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when he joined the Air Force. The two share memories of living on the Westside and growing up with the city in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Patty shares about her family's long history in Las Vegas, and at one point an earlier generation homesteaded property at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo where the Bellagio stands today. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection