Oral history interview with Angela Castro conducted by Stefani Evans, Cecilia Winchell, Kristel Peralta, Vanessa Concepcion, and Ayrton Yamaguchi on November 05, 2020 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Castro begins the interview by talking about her early life, childhood, what Guam was like, and the history of her parents and grandparents. She describes the difference in public and private education in Guam and compares it to the United States. She explains the reason why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1998 and attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for public relations. Castro then talks about the differences between older and newer generations, the political atmosphere in Guam, and the differences between the United States and Guam in politics. She also talks about the discrimination she has experienced throughout her life and diversity in the workplace. Lastly, she describes her culture and traditions during holidays, the struggles with an absence of culture within her family, and her personal religious beliefs.
Oral history interview with Elsa Lopez-Martinez conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 21, 2021 for Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Elsa, one of the original student interviewers for the Latinx Voices project, talks about her family, her Mexican-American roots, and her experience learning Spanish and English. She discusses her education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her work as an interviewer with Latinx Voices before her graduation. Elsa also shares what it has been like entering the workforce as an elementary school teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four-part conversation with local Las Vegans. The first part of the round table is moderated by Trisha Geran with a central theme of "Migration, Work and Community Emergence." The panelists discuss the early history of the African American community in Las Vegas, Nevada. They also discuss how and why their families moved to Las Vegas, most citing the economic opportunities as a major factor. The participants share their personal histories and family histories building up the African American community in downtown Las Vegas and the Westside. The second part of the round table is moderated by Sonya Horsford with a central theme of "Education, Economy, and Integration." The panelists discuss the Clark County School District pre- and post-integration. They discuss the hardships of the Sixth Grade Center Integration Plan on the African American community as well as discussing the differences in the school facilities. The round table participants also discuss the social services and social programs and the history of those programs from the African American perspective. They also discuss civic involvement and the various civic groups started by the panelists, and share discrimination they faced.
The third part of the round table is moderated by Claytee D. White with a central theme of "Civil Rights and Entertainment." The panelists discuss the racism and segregation present in Las Vegas and discuss how African American community leaders worked to integrate African Americans into the Las Vegas community. They discuss the 1969 riots in detail, and discuss African American entertainers and the entertainment industry. They share personal experiences working in the entertainment industry and discuss the importance of the local unions, such as the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 720, and their contributions to the unions. The fourth and final part of the round table is moderated by Rachel Anderson with a central theme of the "Early African American Legal Community." The panelists discuss the foundations of the professional legal community in Las Vegas, noting the contributions of Charles Keller, Dr. William Bailey, and the Reverend Marion Bennett as driving forces for civil rights activism in Las Vegas. They share their experiences growing up in Las Vegas facing discrimination and segregation. Lastly, they share the changes they have seen and how both the legal and African African communities have grown.
Oral history interview with Kaity Webber conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 16, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Kaity Webber describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and earning her degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Webber discusses the excitement she had going to the Route 91 Harvest festival with a friend on the weekend of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting. She talks about her experiences from that night, including how she found shelter in the Thomas & Mack Center with countless others, as well as her process of healing from the traumatic event.
Oral history interview with Jimmy Lee conducted by Vanessa Concepcion, Kristel Peralta, and Stefani Evans on May 25, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Jimmy shares his family's history as entertainers and producers in Korea and their migration to the United States when Jimmy was six years old. He talks about their move to Durham, North Carolina and their relocation to Las Vegas, his education, and his current business, mentorship, and philanthropic pursuits.
Subjects discussed include: Arirang Sisters; Jo Mackey Sixth Grade Center; Nevada's tax structure; Commercial Center
Oral history interview with Aaron Shayne Manfredi conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 8, 2021 for the Veterans Oral History Project of Southern Nevada.
Aaron discusses enlisting in the United States Navy after graduating high school and his service from 1993-1996. He talks about his education, his advanced degrees, and his scholarship and service as a University of Nevada, Las Vegas alumnus and President of the UNLV Alumni Veterans Club. Aaron also shares his employment history and current entrepreneurial pursuits as a real estate agent and owner of a landscaping company.
Oral history interview with Joanna Rivas Nino conducted by Dr. Norma Lisa Flores on October 19, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Joanna Rivas Nino shares her early childhood experiences and her family history, discussing her family's move from the United States back to Zacatecas, Mexico and the differences between the two countries. At the age of fourteen, she came back to the United States. Joanna relates her difficulties regarding cultural assimiliation and her experiences in the United States with racial discrimination. She came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016 and she details her time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, both as a student and an employee. She explains the importance of personal and community development, as well as how both of those concepts affect her own life.
Oral history interview with Brian "Paco" Alvarez conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Barbara Tabach on January 28, February 13, and February 25, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Paco, a Las Vegas native, talks about his personal history and cultural roots as well as the history of Las Vegas and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. An artist, curator, and historian, Paco highlights historical events that have shaped Las Vegas from past to present.
Oral history interview with Irene Bustamante Adams conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Claytee D. White on May 13, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Irene discusses her personal history, her culture and family traditions, and her previous employment. She also talks about her time in Las Vegas and how she came to be a representative for District 42 in the Nevada Assembly. Subjects discussed include: Migrant Farmworkers; California; Mexican culture; Equal Opportunity Program
Oral history interview with Krystal Ramirez conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Barbara Tabach on October 30, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Krystal talks about her personal history growing up in Texas and spending summers with her family in Mexico. She shares her thoughts about how Las Vegas has changed and how she has contributed to the city's art scene as a staff photographer for Vegas Seven (a local magazine), the New York Times, and the Marjorie Barrick Museum.