Oral history interview with Victor Chicas conducted by Elsa Lopez on February 15, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Victor Chicas describes his childhood in El Salvador, sharing what it was like to grow up before and during the Salvadoran Civil War. Victor was very involved in the politics at the time, and was frequently caught up in dangerous protests against the Salvadoran police forces. Chicas talks about his experiences protesting at his university and about the riots that happened there. Victor recounts his story of immigration, and moving to Los Angeles, California as a young man. Victor talks about the different states his family has lived in and compares them to the quality of life he has found in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chicas discusses his time working at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and recalls his experiences working the night of the 1 October mass shooting. He shares his views on the importance of social justice and political activism, citing the shooting and his experiences as his primary reason for being an activist.
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Oral history interview with Alice Key conducted by Claytee D. White on August 16, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Key talks about her birth in Kentucky, upbringing in Riverside, California, high school graduation in 1928 and enrollment at UCLA. She describes at length her entry into the entertainment business as a dancer in 1929, her work and travels with dance companies, and her decision to retire in 1937. She continues discussing the roots of her political activism in Los Angeles, her journalism career, her work to end restrictive covenants, racism in Hollywood hiring, and poor representation for Black dancers in the industry. She then explains what prompted her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and describes the levels of racism and inequality in Las Vegas during this period. She remarks on many notable Las Vegas leaders, including Dr. Charles West, Dr. James McMillan, Mabel Hoggard, Woodrow Wilson, and others. She also discusses the role of the NAACP, her work as a deputy registrar of voters, and creating the first all-Black television show in the country: Talk of the Town.
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Oral history interview with Bryan Chan conducted by Vanessa Concepcion, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on October 18, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Bryan Chan discusses his life growing up in California, his family's migration stories to the United States, and his education. He discusses his appearance on a reality television show which led to becoming a singer for boy band LMNT. Bryan talks about his entertainment career, including his move to Las Vegas to sing and host for the Chippendales show at the Rio Hotel and Casino. He also shares insight into his family's traditions and his favorite foods that his father and grandmother cooked.
Subjects discussed include: chain migration; Chippendales; giglife; virtual events; traditional foods.
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Oral history interview with Bob Arum conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 20, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Arum talks about growing up Orthodox in New York City and how through his career as a promoter for boxers he developed personal relationships with people such as Muhammed Ali and George Foreman.
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