Oral history interview with Luis F. Valera III conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Laurents Bañuelos-Benítez on January 23, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Valera discusses his family background and explains the story of his parent's immigration to the United States. He talks about bilingual language challenges while transitioning from school in Caracas, Venezuela and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994. Valera then describes being raised in both Cuban and Venezuelan cultures, describes their similarities, and his experience of not being welcomed into the student organization Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MECHa). He recalls his college career, his decision to get into politics, and pursuing a degree in law. Later, Valera discusses his role as vice president of Student Organization for Latinos, and talks about being elected as the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV) student body Vice President. Lastly, Valera describes his position as Vice President of Government Affairs for UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edmundo “Eddie” Escobedo conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón on February 25, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Escobedo discusses his family background, growing up Latino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his educational experiences. He recalls his father starting a promotional business where he would contract Mexican artists to perform, and describes his father’s involvement in politics. He talks about his family's newspaper business,
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jaime Cruz conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on July 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cruz discusses growing up in Lima, Peru and immigrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Cruz describes his first impressions of the city, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and explains the importance of education for his children. He talks about his employment as a dishwasher at Vineyard Restaurant, food server at The Mirage, and being recruited by Treasure Island as a banquet waiter. Lastly, Cruz describes the Peruvian community in Las Vegas, instilling Peruvian culture in his children, and how he became the Executive Director of Workforce Connections.
Archival Collection
The "Jazz on the Strip" Scrapbooks (1991-2000) consist of ten scrapbooks containing photographs, event programs, newspaper clippings, and ephemera for the "Jazz on the Strip" weekly performance series put on by the Las Vegas Jazz Society (LVJS). Photographs depict the weekly shows at the Riviera Hotel's Le Bistro Lounge in Las Vegas, Nevada, and include performers such as Chick Corea, Russ Freeman, Bill Watrous, and other well-known performers. The scrapbooks also document other events put on by the Jazz Artists of Nevada, including annual picnics, memorial performances, "Jazz in the Park" outdoor concerts, and fundraising events. Included throughout the scrapbooks are the LVJS Jazz Notes, a monthly newsletter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pamela Goynes-Brown conducted by Kane Toomer on November 26, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Goynes-Brown discusses her upbringing and describes her life in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her education, being involved in music, and explains why her parents decided to move to Las Vegas. Goynes-Brown recalls experiencing racism in school, her employment at Mabel Hoggard Elementary School as a music teacher, and working in the Clark County School District. Later, Goynes-Brown talks about African American community leaders in Las Vegas and serving on the City Council of North Las Vegas. Lastly, Goynes-Brown talks about the importance of voting, especially the African American community, and the development of the West Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rose Miztri and Rachel Parker conducted by Claytee D. White on March 07, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Miztri discusses growing up in La Puente, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. She describes her experiences in the United States Army and talks about being involved in a motorcycle accident. Parker talks about her upbringing and describes her experience being transgender while attending high school in Chicago, Illinois. Parker then recalls her first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990 and why she was unable to get a job because of her sexuality. Later, Miztri and Parker discuss assisting transgender youth with housing, employment, and becoming comfortable in a society where tolerance and understanding of different sexual identities are constantly evolving. Lastly, both explain their involvement with Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), an international educational organization aimed to bring awareness on sexual identities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Woodrow Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on February 10, 2014 and February 12, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, Smith discusses his upbringing in Chattanooga, Tennessee and describes moving to another part of Chattanooga due to the violence his family experienced. He talks about attending Tuskegee University, studying engineering, and being taught by Tuskegee Airmen professors. Later, Smith discusses his work at the Nevada Test Site, the aerospace industry, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the mid-1980s. Lastly, Woodrow recalls his experiences in Las Vegas and describes investing into a McDonald's franchise.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Martin Myron and Don Snyder conducted by Stefani Evans on November 30, 2017, December 06, 2017, and March 08, 2018 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Myron G. Martin, President and CEO, and Donald D. Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, share their memories of the founding of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Martin recalls his upbringing in Texas and his education in music and business at Golden Gate University. He came to Las Vegas after a fifteen-year career with the Baldwin Piano Company to be the Executive Director of the Liberace Foundation. Martin describes how he became President of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Performing Arts Center and later President of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation in 1999. Martin and Snyder talk about how the Smith Center came to be, fund raising, the design process for the performing arts complex, and notable people and organizations that were involved. They also discuss the overall programming at the Smith Center, and who performed on opening night.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judith Harrell conducted by Lois Goodall on November 19, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Harrell discusses growing up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, later moving to Houston, Texas, and her high school experience in Houston. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961, attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and teaching at E.W. Griffith Elementary School. Lastly, Harrell recalls moving to the Westside of Las Vegas, teaching at Paradise Elementary School, and recreational activities she participated in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Tabor conducted by Claytee D. White on July 03, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Tabor discusses growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, her father’s employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She talks about being a teenager in Las Vegas, attending Las Vegas High School, and the businesses on Fifth Street. Tabor recalls her employment at the Dunes Hotel and Casino as a wardrobe artist for showgirls. Lastly, Tabor discusses activities she participated in as part of the Girl Scouts, her involvement in the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection