Oral history interview with Nery Martinez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on December 06, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Martinez discusses his upbringing in Zacatecoluca, La Paz, El Salvador. He describes growing up around organized crime, the Salvadoran Civil War, and the hardship that came with earning an education. Martinez talks about his immigration story to the United States, and his first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls training to be a bartender, becoming a member of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, and the aid that the Union provides for the immigrant community. Later, Martinez discusses his experience applying for a Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the Salvadoran community in Las Vegas. Lastly, Martinez talks about starting a family in Las Vegas, and sharing his Salvadoran culture with his children.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Cepeda conducted by Monserrath Hernández, Nathalie Martinez, and Rodrigo Vázquez on April 24, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cepeda discusses her Nicaraguan background and growing up in North Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her educational experience, and her involvement with the Latino Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC). Cepeda remembers attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), running for the Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees, and explains the challenges that CCSD faces. She describes the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 strikes, and issues with funding CCSD schools. Lastly, Cepeda discusses the discrimination that English Language Learners (ELL) students face, and Latinx representation in elected positions.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mark Fine conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 28, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Fine discusses his upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio and initial interest in real estate. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1997, his role in the development of Green Valley and Summerlin communities, and his idea that the link between volume of home sales and economics would increase the pace of development. He describes methods of building a sense of quality of life into his planned communities, building libraries, and the importance of accessibility. Lastly, Fine discusses his next projects, and reflects on the growth of Green Valley and Summerlin.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edea Trapletti conducted by Claytee D. White on June 21, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this interview, Trapletti discusses her early life in Trieste, Italy. She talks about coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950, her initial reaction to the city, and building a home in the John S. Park neighborhood. Trapletti describes the community in the area, religious organizations, and social life at the time. Lastly, Trapetti discusses the future of the John S. Park neighborhood and the other neighborhoods near downtown Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Shipley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 15, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Shipley discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois and upbringing as a musician. Shipley recalls being the drummer for The Emotions, Natalie Cole, and performing at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the special treatment musicians had, and the respect that Steve Wynn had for performers. Lastly, Shipley remembers performing for Diana Ross, the challenges he faced as an African American musician, and his decision to retire.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Russell Harvey conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Harvey discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside community. He talks about recreation activities he participated in, the discrimination he experienced, and integration in Las Vegas in 1960. Harvey remembers attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), working stage production for shows on the Strip, and being a member of the Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local Union 720. Lastly, Harvey discusses his involvement with the Nevada Minority Purchasing Council.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isaac Barrón conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón and Claytee D. White on March 27, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Isaac Barrón was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His father entered the United States as a Bracero. Barrón attended Rancho High School and earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education from UNLV. He currently teaches history at Rancho High School and serves as North Las Vegas' Councilman. In this oral history, Barrón recalls his youth in North Las Vegas, navigating the presence of gangs, and his path to being a community activist and advocate for North Las Vegas youth. He has led volunteer efforts for community improvement projects, including the plans for a new public library. He holds the distinction of being the first Latinx member of the North Las Vegas City Council and Southern Nevada's first Hispanic Mayor Pro Tempore. In 2013, he was elected to represent Ward 1 and was reelected for a second term in April 2017. He discusses being Mexican American, the Coalition of Pan American Organizations, the Hispanic Student Union, the Bracero Program, and Rancho High School.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Juan Chacon conducted by Claytee White on August 28, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Chacon discusses his upbringing, early life in Mexico and the United States, his education, segregation, anti-communism, becoming a U. S. citizen, his military career, and his work in Las Vegas, Nevada since retirement.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dallamy Santos Hantewn conducted by Elsa Lopez on December 6, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada: An Intitaive of the UNLV University Libraries. Dallamy recalls her memories of her childhood in Cuba as well as her early life and her parents. She discusses her immigration to the United States, first to Pennsylvania and then to Las Vegas, Nevada. Dallamy relates her experiences with race discrimination in hiring practices and her experiences working in hotels in Las Vegas. Later in the interview, she discusses the impact of the local Culinary Workers Union on her life as well as her work in protests for labor rights.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Harry Reid conducted by Claytee D. White on July 28, 2017, December 1, 2017, August 8, 2019, and September 12, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Senator Harry Reid talks about his experiences as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981. He discusses casino decisions related to the Stardust Resort and Casino, the Fremont Hotel, the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, and the Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino as well as the FBI requesting wiretaps and the Nevada Gaming Commission issuing gaming licenses at that time. In the second interview, Reid shares details as city attorney in Henderson, Nevada, his work with the University Medical Center Hospital Board, and case details as an attorney with the firm of Singleton, DeLanoy, and Jemison. Some of the cases he describes include litigation against Safeway stores, charges of drugs and murder, and evictions.
In the third interview, Reid discusses his term serving the United States House of Representatives and his role as Senate Majority Leader. He recalls his election to Nevada Assembly in 1968, his tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada from 1971 to 1975, his position as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981, and his position as Nevada's delegate in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987. Reid also talks about his political defeats when running for United States Senate and for Mayor of Las Vegas. In the fourth interview, Reid talks about various significant sites in Nevada including Searchlight, Yucca Mountain, and the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection