Oral history interview with Arthur Cummings conducted by Stefani Evans and Peyton McCord on April 26, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cummings discusses his early life in Long Island, New York. He recalls his initial interest in real estate, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to sell houses, and describes the real estate market during the mid-1990s. Cummings explains the importance of maintaining a good credit score, and the idea of financial preparedness as a way to avoid legal problems. Later, Cummings talks about obtaining a real estate license in Nevada, selling homes in Summerlin and the southwest portion of the Las Vegas Valley. Lastly, Cummings discusses building up clientele in the real estate industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gary Porter conducted by Stefani Evans on April 26, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses his early life in Oklahoma. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1970 as a new accountant, and his employment at the Hughes Corporation. He talks about the growth of Las Vegas, the charter market in Las Vegas during the late 1970s, and joining Hughes Aviation in 1977. Lastly, Porter describes the evolution of the aviation industry, and explains the work Hughes Aviation does to service airplanes.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ricki Barlow conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on July 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Barlow discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. Barlow talks about his time as Councilman for Ward 5 in the City of Las Vegas, and lists what he accomplished from his campaign promises. He recalls his first projects as councilman, restoring the Westside School, and preserving historic buildings near downtown Las Vegas. Later, Barlow describes the issue of homelessness in Las Vegas, providing social services to people most in need, and improving the mental health system in Nevada. Lastly, Barlow discusses plans to redevelop Jackson Street and the Westside.
Archival Collection
The African American Experience Community Scanning Day Photograph Collection (approximately 1958-1980, 2004) is comprised of digital surrogates of photographic prints and ephemera that document the experiences of the African American community in Las Vegas, Nevada. Materials were donated by members of the Las Vegas community as part of a community scanning day event hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's University Libraries in 2013.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Debra McCracken conducted by Claytee D. White on April 13, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, McCracken discusses her early interests in library science and children's literature. She recalls being hired at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), working in the James R. Dickinson Library, and the transition into Lied Library. She talks about the switch to electronic cataloging, and working at the Teachers Development Resources Library (TDRL) at UNLV. Lastly, McCracken discusses the future of UNLV Libraries.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Billie Rayford conducted by Claytee D. White on May 01, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her early life in Jefferson, Texas. She talks about school integration, living during the Jim Crow laws, and the discrimination she experienced at the time. Rayford remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979, obtaining a teaching position at Rancho High School, and teaching students with special needs. Rayford describes the implementation of empowerment schools in the Clark County School District (CCSD), and her involvement with the dual enrollment program at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) for CCSD high school students. Later, Rayford discusses her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Les Femmes Douze (The Ladies Twelve), 20 Pearls Foundation, and providing civil services for the Westside community. Lastly, Rayford talks about being a charter member of 100 Black Women.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida M. Gaines conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Gaines discusses her early life in Louisiana. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, living in the Westside, and her employment at the Nevada Test Site. Gaines remembers integration, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and becoming a member of Gamma Phi Delta. Gaines talks about working with Senator Harry Reid as a community liaison, the economic downfall of Jackson Street businesses, and redevelopment of the Westside. Lastly, Gaines discusses the issue of homelessness in the community, and the work that the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) did to reduce poverty in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Julie Cleaver conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on May 19, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cleaver discusses her early life in Durham, North Carolina. Cleaver talks about attending Ohio State University, studying landscape architecture, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993. She describes master planning for the Green Valley area, master planned communities in Summerlin, and making changes to home design criteria. Lastly, Cleaver talks about the future of Summerlin master planned communities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tina Quigley conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 29, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Quigley discusses her early life in Petaluma, California. She talks about her initial interest in aviation, attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and studying airport planning and aviation business. Quigley recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, her employment at McCarran Airport, and airport projects she was involved in. Later, Quigley remembers joining the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), becoming general manager, and the development of transportation technology. Lastly, Quigley discusses future planning for Clark County public transportation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas A. Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 02, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thomas discusses his family background and upbringing in banking. He talks about his father, Edward Parry Thomas, his father's involvement with financing casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s, and the formation of the Thomas & Mack Company in 1992. Thomas remembers the company’s first projects in Las Vegas, construction of the Thomas & Mack Center, and developing the Las Vegas Digital Exchange Campus. Later, Thomas remembers his father’s involvement with the development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the company's help financing the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Lastly, Thomas discusses his partnership with Rob Roy of Switch data centers, and the future of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection