Helen recalls coming to Las Vegas in the 1960s. She married early civil rights activist Jim Anderson in 1964. Helen was the first black female school principal in the Clark County School District.
Oral history interview with Don Burse conducted by John Grygo on March 01, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Burse discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family in 1971. He talks about his mother's employment as a maid at the Thunderbird Hotel, describes recreational activities he participated in, and the close-knit community in West Las Vegas. Burse discusses the increase of gangs and drugs in West Las Vegas and how it negatively affected the community. Later, Burse recalls starting his own personal security business, receiving his business license in 1995, and the growth of his company. Lastly, Burse talks about the Culinary Workers Union strike at the Frontier Hotel and Casino and the importance of union jobs to Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Roosevelt Toston conducted by Claytee D. White on July 11, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Toston discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and his various careers at the Test Site, Bell Telephone of Nevada, as a television anchorman and cameraman, and the Convention and Visitors Authority to bring conventions to Las Vegas. He also talks about ways African American entrepreneurs might get involved in the convention business.
Leandrew Winston is best known for his work in public broadcasting. He was born in Grady, Arkansas where he lived on a farm with his family. He migrated first to California and then to Las Vegas. Once in the city, Winston became a well-connected figure in the African American community and often tells stories about his experiences with police brutality. He chose to work in public broadcasting and in 1971 became the first African American to work at PBS at Channel 10. He started hosting Ten on the Black Side, his own television news talk show, in 1975 and later became the Minority Affairs Director at Channel 10. In 1984, Winston created a documentary for PBS called The Road to Las Vegas, a Black Perspective. He returned to school in 1987 and received his MBA from National University. Upon returning to Las Vegas, he helped found KNPR. Winston left Channel 10 and took a job with KCEP in 2001.
Oral history interview with Carmen and Kelcey West conducted by Jennifer Kean and Niles Johnson on April 01, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Kelcey discusses his upbringing in the Baptist church and becoming a pastor for Nehemiah Ministries Church. He then recalls his education experience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, how he learned about the many different ministries of the church, and describes how his church is organized. Kelcey explains his involvement with Churches of Southern Nevada and sponsoring Unity Through Knowledge, a tour of Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Later, Carmen discusses her role as a pastor’s wife and as a first lady at Nehemiah Ministries Church. Lastly, she describes organizing church events and the work she does as first lady.
Oral history interview with Eugenia and Elijah Green conducted by Claytee D. White on January 20, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Elijah discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. He recalls his father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant, attending the Westside School, and the recreational activities he participated in as a young adult. Elijah talks about becoming a card dealer, his employment at the El Morocco Motel, and the businesses on Jackson Street. Eugenia describes moving to Las Vegas in 1975, her initial reaction to the city, and nightlife entertainment at the time. Later, Elijah talks about leaving work on the Westside to be a card dealer on the Strip. Lastly, Elijah and Eugenia discuss the future of Westside businesses.
Oral history interview with Franzine Jasper conducted by Claytee D. White on September 20, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Jasper discusses her early life in Brooklyn, New York. She recalls becoming a nurse, moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1987, and her employment at a nursing home. Jasper remembers the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) explosion, and describes the damage caused in that area. Later, Jasper discusses joining the faculty at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), becoming the Chair of the nursing department, and later becoming Provost for the North Las Vegas campus. Lastly, Jasper talks about teaching courses at CSN, and the increase of English as a second language (ESL) students at CSN.
Oral history interview with D. D. (Ethel Dolores) Cotton conducted by Claytee White on February 14, 1997 and March 21, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Cotton discusses the beginnings of her dance career in New York City, New York. Later in the interview, Cotton discusses working in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Cotton Club and her interactions with other African American entertainers. Cotton also discusses race relations and her experiences as an African American dancer in Las Vegas. Cotton later goes on to discuss her career change in the service industry.