Transcript of interview with Eugene Williams conducted by Claytee White on July 18, 2008. Williams discusses his life as a singer with various musical groups including the Coasters and the Platters, and traveling all over the United States and Europe. He left the Platters in 1990 and settled in Las Vegas. He was part of the Sound of the Platters group in the early 2000s.
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Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alex X. Porter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 16, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter mainly discusses his membership of and devout role in the Nation of Islam. He discusses how he became involved with the religion after trying to enact change in the Black community through the NAACP. He discusses how his stance on education sets him apart from the majority of the Black community; he believes that a college degree is not necessary to teach intellectual topics to young people. Porter is active in the Las Vegas Black community as either a member or supporter of the Minister's Alliance, Shepherd's Breakfast, NAACP, Black Lives Matter, and the Nation of Islam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Wakefield conducted by Ashley Hardison on November 30, 2008 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Wakefield reflects upon her career as an administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District. She describes her experience as principal of Myrtle Tate Elementary School, her regular job responsibilities, and challenges that she faced. She also describes her experience as an African American woman, and the importance of student and faculty diversity within schools.
Archival Collection
From the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Theta Omega Chapter Records (MS-01014) -- Chapter records file. Includes National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, Las Vegas coalition (NBLIC) records and program for "Nevada's First African American Wellness Conference."
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Oral history interviews with Harold Bradford conducted by Claytee D. White, Camille Morris, Anna Frederick, and Remy Chwae on April 24, 2017 and June 10, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Bradford discusses his early life in New Orleans, Louisiana. He recalls going through a segregated school system, and his experience with integration. Bradford remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, his employment for the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), and becoming an art director for YESCO. In the second interview, Bradford discusses his initial interest in neon signs, and his work ethic as a visual artist.
Archival Collection
Black and white photograph of Lionel Hampton with members of the Moulin Rouge show group, dated 1955.
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Ethiopian business owner Mahamed Youssouf became an American citizen in 1986. Born in Harar, Ethiopia, he recalls the hardships he had to endure during the Ethiopia-Somalia conflict. Coming from a family of tailors, he began making clothes with his father at a very early age. Mahamed’s recollections concerning his journey from political refugee to successful businessman demonstrates his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals. Mahamed moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, where he rented a storefront in North Las Vegas. The name of his store was Uniform Plus and he focused mainly on making children’s clothes. His efforts proved lucrative as he began buying wholesale in Los Angeles, California, and selling clothes in Las Vegas on the weekends at the outdoor Swap Meet. After a fateful encounter, Mahamed became business partners with Eugene Hoffman, owner of Village East Cleaners. Mahamed firmly believes that communication is the key to socio-economic success. He views education as an investment and states that, “to have dialogue means better relationships.” When the Ethiopian government was overthrown, Mahamed returned home to Africa for a visit. He met his wife while there, got married, and started a family. Mahamed returned to America and bought a family home in Las Vegas. He dedicated his time to teaching his American born children more about Ethiopian culture and taught himself more about American culture— including the African-American experience in Las Vegas, racism, the Moulin Rouge, and the Westside.
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A portion of the congregation at 2nd Baptist church with Bishop C. C. Cox presiding. Civil rights rally
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Oral history interview with Gwen Weekes Rahner conducted by Laronda D. Tinsley on March 06, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rahner discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her arrival and the growth of Las Vegas, and her experiences living in early Las Vegas as an African American woman.Mrs. Rahner discusses working in politics and registering people to vote in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also describes living in West Las Vegas and her experiences there.
Archival Collection