Town hall meeting for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project facilitated by Claytee D. White on May 11, 2013. In this town hall, White explains the mission and the purpose behind the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Attendees also speak, telling stories and histories of the African American people and communities in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interviews with David Green conducted by Dennis McBride on August 20 and October 22, 1999 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Green discusses his contributions to the founding and operation of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, also known as The Center. He recalls purchasing the first building used for The Center in 1993, anecdotes about other founding members, and details regarding the administrative management at The Center. Green also discusses his early life in New York, understanding his sexuality, and his family's reactions.
Oral history interview with J. K. Russ conducted by Claytee D. White on December 22, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Russ discusses her early life in New Zealand and growing up on a tobacco farm. She remembers arriving to the United States and establishing a career as an artist. Russ talks about the 1 October shooting, creating an art exhibit using cards and letters received from people all over the world, and Las Vegas’ response to the tragedy. Lastly, Russ describes the art community in Las Vegas and the Arts District.
Oral history interviews with Gudrun Fonfa conducted by Dennis McBride on June 15, 2008 and June 22, 2008 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Fonfa discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the lesbian community at the time. She talks about the founding of organizations to support the rights of the gay community. Fonfa discusses her contributions to Nevadans for Human Rights (NHR) and the development of the gay community. Lastly, Fonfa describes Women United of Nevada (WUN) and the organization's decision to change their mission statement.
African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project event roundtable conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this panel event, Jean Childs, Joe Neal, Jackie Brantley, LaVerne Ligon, and Ramon Savoy discuss their early lives and explain how they arrived to Las Vegas, Nevada. Childs talks about her father’s business, the Penguin Club, and the history of African Americans in the gaming industry. She talks about her involvement with the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) and the Head Sstart federal program. Savoy remembers the foundation of Las Vegas Sentinel-Voice and the challenges of distributing weekly publications during the late 1950s. Neal recalls his first political campaign, being a chairman for the EOB, and becoming a Nevada State Senator. Later, Brantley describes the 1971 consent decree, discrimination against African American workers in the gaming industry, and her career in hotel management. Ligon remembers her career as a dancer, being a part of an all-African American dance line, and integration in the entertainment industry.
Oral history interview with "Tommy" conducted by Dennis McBride on April 28, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Thompson discusses his life as a gay man, his parents’ acceptance despite being heavily religious, and writing poems for the Las Vegas Bugle for many years.
The Voices from the Past: The Las Vegas Springs Preserve Oral History Project consists of nine interviews conducted by Joe Thompson in 2002 with community members, field experts, and politicians involved in the creation of the Springs Preserve, which opened in 2007. Interviewees include Claude and Liz Warren, John Mendoza, Richard Bryan, and others. Digital audio available; no transcripts available.
Oral history interview with Mary Hawkins conducted by Bill Murphy on June 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In her interview Hawkins discusses her reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and the developmental changes she has seen occur in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Megan Griffard conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 22, 2024 for the UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shootings project. In this interview, Griffard, UNLV assistant professor in the educational policy and leadership program, describes taking her 18-month-old daughter to the UNLV/CSUN Preschool on the UNLV campus before going to her office. She initially planned to go to the Student Union, where her colleagues had prepared poster presentations when she received the first alert and hid under her desk. Her husband called to tell her he had been called to prepare for mass casualties at UMC and the freeway was closed. She texted her dad, her coworkers, and called the preschool while hiding under her desk. She describes trying to get to the Methodist Church across Maryland Parkway, the designated spot for the preschool parents to be transported to the preschool to pick up their children. When her turn finally came, she was driven to the school and passed through layers of security before she could retrieve her daughter. Her husband soon arrived and the family was eventually able to go home together. The next day, Griffard returned to campus with her colleague who had been in the Student Union. The following Monday, Griffard and her coworkers held a Zoom meeting to check in with each other and talk about their experiences. She talks about the importance of finding the right therapist, learning how to process painful events, and realizing how her recovery has helped her shut down a tendency to people-please. Digital audio and transcript available.
Archival Collection
UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: OH-03923 Collection Name: UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews Box/Folder: Digital File 00 (Restrictions apply)