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 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
Oral history interview with Sanje Sedera conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Stefani Evans on April 16, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Sanje Sedera discusses growing up in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, with his family. He shares his educational history, moving from Sri Lanka to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia as a high schooler to learn English before immigrating to the United States to attend Idaho State University. Sedera discusses the political unrest and civil war that took place in Sri Lanka between the Tamil and Sinhalese people, and how he grew to appreciate political activism instilled in him by his paternal grandparents. Sedera shares his employment history working as a manager for K-Mart, an opportunity that brought him to Las Vegas, as well as his entrepreneurial pursuits of owning a mortgage business and becoming a realtor. He talks about the financial crisis of 2008 that led to losing his business, his attempts to run for public office, and how he helped to form Nevada's Asian American Democratic Caucus. Sedera concludes with a discussion of his Buddhist practice and how these philosophies have shaped his life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Christensen conducted by Claytee D. White on February 19, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Paul Christensen discusses his early childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada during World War II, his family's jewelry business, the various educational institutions he attended, his service in the United States Air Force, and his long career in city politics.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brenda Arnold conducted by Janet E. Prince on February 28, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Arnold discusses her career as a librarian, her religious activities in Las Vegas, Nevada, and viewing the above-ground atomic testing. She also recounts activities she did while visiting Lake Mead and Harris Springs at Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jocelyn L. Oats conducted by Rebecca Snetselaar on April 29, 2016 for the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council and the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. Oats begins the interview by talking about her childhood and family. She explains what she was allowed to have in terms of media and music, what gospel music means to her, and which members of her family are singers. Oats talks about religion, traditions in church, and what it means to sing in church. Lastly, Oats tells stories of her life and where to find gospel music in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Courtney Hunt conducted by Claytee D. White on October 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Hunt discusses the C.O.N.V.I.C.T.S. (Conquerors of Negative Vicious Intent, Concentrating Towards Succeeding) Motorcycle Club, that helps in bettering the Las Vegas, Nevada community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janice Haupt Allen conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 27, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses her early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She talks about her involvement in the Las Vegas community, becoming a news reporter with the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jinetta Daniels conducted by Rani Dunn on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Daniels talks about her upbringing in Mississippi and traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada by bus in 1962. She continues discussing her work as a maid at the Dunes Hotel, her membership in the Victory Baptist Church, and comments on various church and community leaders in the Westside. She also mentions her concerns about the closure of F Street in 2008 and her hopes for the revitalization of the Westside community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isadore Washington conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Isadore Washington discusses playing with Wayne Newton when they were children and life on the Westside and joining the sheriff's department after high school and became the first black deputy sheriff. He also discusses people and places on the Westside in the eighties, medical care for blacks as far back as the fifties, and renting a room to entertainers after he bought his first house.
Archival Collection