Oral history interviews with Brenda Manlove Williams and Johnny Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on April 18, 2016 and May 03, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Brenda discusses her early life in Nashville, Tennessee and attending Fisk University. She talks about being a member of The Fisk Jubilee Singers and later transferring to Tennessee State University. Brenda recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972, her employment at Caesars Palace as a cocktail waitress, and the nightlife entertainment at the time. Lastly, Brenda discusses the social and political divides in the African American community of Las Vegas. In the second interview, Johnny describes being one of the first African American card dealers and pit bosses. He talks about his employment at Caesars Palace and changes in the gaming industry. Lastly, Brenda discusses her employment with Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC).
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Oral history interview with Chet Buchanan conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 28, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Chet Buchanan begins this interview with a discussion of his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999 after he was offered a job as a radio show host for 98.5 KLUC. He talks about the specifics of his job, including his career background as well as the Chet Buchanan Toy Drive. For this interview, he specifically goes into detail on his coverage of the Las Vegas October 2017 mass shooting and discusses being in San Diego, California at the time, yet still striving to reach people through his broadcast with the help of CBS San Diego. Throughout the interview, Buchanan examines his desire to make a difference in the community with his show and his interactions with the public.
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On February 7, 1977, collector Enrico Messina interviewed Edith Leavitt (born April 12th, 1924, in St. George, Utah) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Mrs. Leavitt talks about teaching in Southern Nevada, including in the Virgin Valley and in Las Vegas. She also discusses the changing education system in Southern Nevada during her time as an educator.
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Oral history interview with Patricia Bryan conducted by Stephen Kulifay on February 20, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Patricia Bryan discusses her education at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Northwestern and her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. Bryan also discusses her family’s involvement in the soda bottling industry and eventual involvement in real estate. She goes on to describe a wide range of topics including the first hotel properties in the city, the entertainers at the time, minority communities, the railroad, shopping, and housing. She also discusses the popularity of Las Vegas, with a focus on tourists and gaming. Digital audio and transcript available.
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Dennis McBride interviews Hanford Searl about a number of things: his being gay, his being gay in Las Vegas and other places, religious issues. Also, some information about working at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and for Bob Brown at the Las Vegas Valley Times.
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Oral history interview with H. P. Fitzgerald conducted by Kathlyn Wilson on March 09, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fitzgerald discusses black history in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about school integration and being one of the first black administrators for Clark County School District.
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