Oral history interview with José Luis Meléndrez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 20, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Meléndrez discusses his family background and early life in Baja California. He talks about his father's decision to migrate to the United States, and attending Catholic schools in California, Nevada, and Texas as the family moved around the country. Meléndrez recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, enrolling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America affiliated program, Learning for Life. Later, Meléndrez describes attending the University of Michigan, earning a master's degree in social work, and becoming executive director for the office of Community Partnerships in the UNLV School of Public Health. Lastly, Meléndrez discusses the future of the Las Vegas Latinx community, and becoming a founding member and chair for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
The Las Vegas Ambassadors Collection (1968-1985) primarily consists of a scrapbook, newspaper articles, and photographs documenting the activities of the Las Vegas Ambassadors youth singing group. The materials were compiled by Harry LaFavor, the Ambassadors' business manager, who co-founded the group with Norman Kaye and Richie Astone to promote a positive image of Las Vegas. The collection also includes a songbook, vinyl record and ¼” tape recording, and promotional materials.
The Kathy Eastland Papers (1972-2003) document Kathy Eastland's experiences working in Nevada brothels. Materials include ephemera and memorabilia collected by Eastland from various brothels in Nevada such as the Mustang Ranch, the Moonlite BunnyRanch, and Old Bridge Ranch. Included in the collection are brothel menus and photographs of Eastland and other sex workers socializing in the brothels. The collection also contains notes, research, and drafts of Eastland's manuscript Hell on Heels which describe her experience working in the brothel industry. Also included are prototypes of a game created by Eastland called "Brothelopoly" and some campaign materials about Jessi Winchester, a former brothel worker who ran for public office in Nevada. There is a small amount of materials about Joe Conforte, former owner of the Mustang Ranch, and some personal effects of Eastland including a motorcycle jacket and storage trunk.