Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.
She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.
After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.
Oral history interview with Ida Browder Kelley conducted by Dennis McBride on April 21, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Kelley discusses how she met the former Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Fred S. Alward, through her mother, who was active in politics. Kelley talks about her own thoughts about Alward, including the type of person he was and how he carried himself. Kelley later describes her own experience in politics including attending session meetings and campaigning.
Oral history interview with Count Guido Roberto Deiro conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 30, 2002 and November 22, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Deiro gives his personal recollections of living in Las Vegas, Nevada, including his father’s career, his upbringing, and fondest memories of the city.
The UNLV Black Lives Matter Web Archive (2020) is comprised of two statements and one op-ed which were published shortly after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and the subsequent rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The statements come from Thom Reilley, Chancellor of Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), and Marta Meana, Interim President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Both statements express NSHE and UNLV's message of solidarity with the Black community and affirm the University's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The op-ed was written by UNLV alumna Jessica Walters Murrey who is a "social change and communication expert." The op-ed acknowledges Murrey's pain and grief and also outlines actionable steps that non-Black individuals can take to support the Black community.
Oral history interviews with Lee Plotkin conducted by Dennis McBride on August 02, 10, and 16; and October 04, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Plotkin talks about his reaction to Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Myron E. Leavitt's claim that attending the Nevada Gay Rodeo violated Nevada's sodomy laws in the early 1980s. Plotkin recalls his childhood, coming out during high school, his early involvement with the Las Vegas, Nevada gay community, and his memories of Lieutenant Governor Leavitt and Leavitt's family. Plotkin also discusses the development and activities of LGBTQ organizations and demonstrations, including Golden Rainbow and Gay Pride. Lastly, he talks about the repeal of Nevada's sodomy laws in 1993, the defeat of Nevada Citizens' Alliance's anti-gay initiative petition Minority Status and Child Protection Act of 1994, and the growth of the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.
Oral history interview with Leah Chan Grinvald conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on January 22, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Grinvald discusses growing up with a large Chinese family on her father's side, and an Orthodox Jewish family on her mother's side. Grinvald talks about family, identity, traditions, and schooling. She discusses how she became interested in law, her legal career, and volunteer work with the affinity Bars in Nevada, the State Bar of Nevada Board of Bar Governors, and the Association of American Law Schools Deans Council Executive Committee. She also talks about meeting her Israeli husband, marrying him in Israel, and living there for a year.
Oral history interview with Maxine and Jack Cason conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 1016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jack discusses his early life in Oklahoma and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. He recalls the formation of Saveway Super Service, Philips 66 service stations, the competition in the fuel industry, and the opening of the first Rebel service station. Jack talks about fuel terminals, fuel bulk plants, and becoming one of the largest fuel providers in southern Nevada. Later, Maxine and Jack talk about supporting local sports organizations. Lastly, Jack discusses his involvement in the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Athletics Department, and being inducted into the UNLV Sports Hall of Fame.
From the Dennis McBride Collection on LGBTQ Las Vegas, Nevada (MS-00802) -- Alphabetical research files -- AIDS: Organizations: Names Project [AIDS quilt] file.