Oral history interview with Marlena Shaw conducted by Claytee D. White on December 12, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Shaw discusses her early life in New Rochelle, New York and growing up in a musical family. She talks about her initial interest in singing, her career as a jazz singer, and performing with Count Basie in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaw recalls recording her first studio album, and the discrimination she faced as an African American musician. Shaw describes performing at the Sands Hotel and Casino, touring around the world, and working with multiple recording labels. Later, Shaw remembers performing with Sammy Davis Jr. Lastly, Shaw discusses the significance of spirituality in her life, and her first time performing with a symphony orchestra.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Daryl Privott conducted by Claytee D. White on March 16, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Daryl Privott was previously the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries' Facilities Manager during the move from Dickerson Library into Lied Library. It was during this time that he pursued advanced education, earning his PhD from UNLV before moving to Lexington, Kentucky. Privott discusses his professional and family life as well as his personal philosophies.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eleanor Walker conducted by Claytee D. White on June 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Eleanor Walker discusses serving as President of the Las Vegas, Nevada Chapter of the NAACP in the early 1970s and holding several jobs throughout her lifetime, being among the first black individuals to hold a position in many of the companies for which she worked. She also talks about how she was a pioneer as a black woman in the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Belknap conducted by R. J. Johnson on February 12, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Belknap discusses Colorado River, Nevada State Advisory Commission, WWII, Henderson Power Plant during WWII, and the El Rancho Hotel in the 1940’s. Belknap also discusses the Tule Springs Archaeological Project 1966-1967, atomic testing, Lake Mead, Boulder City, music and Jazz in Southern Nevada, teaching at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), photography, and the Grand Canyon.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stanley Weiner conducted by Kyle Wolff on March 12, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Weiner talks about his father's employment, his own series of jobs, and living in different parts of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also talks about population growth, education opportunities in town, transportation, and recreation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Zoe Allison conducted by Debra Ruth on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Allison discusses her career with Central Telephone Company, working at the Sahara Hotel as a switchboard operator, and owning a dress shop on Fremont Street. She also talks about notable locations such as Craig Road Speedway, Silver Slipper Race Track, Nellis Air Base and Mount Charleston, and the politics of prostitution in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward A. Collins conducted by Steven L. Smith on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Ed Collins discusses gender equality in the culinary industry of Las Vegas, Nevada and the changes he saw in the industry over the years. He also speaks about Bugsy Siegel's influence on the emergence of big shows on the Las Vegas Strip. He then discusses Las Vegas before and after the appearance of Howard Hughes and Bob Maheu.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb Tobman conducted by Deborah Fischer on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Herb Tobman talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada while working for Standard Oil as a tire, battery and accessory salesman, then working for the Moulin Rouge as the general manager in 1955. He gives a description of the hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard and downtown. Tobman then discusses the types of gambling that were popular. He also talks about the accommodations, transportation, entertainment, and the economy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chelsie Campbell conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón, Laurents Bañuelos-Benítez, and Nathalie Martínez on January 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Campbell discusses her family background and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her educational experience, her early interest in becoming a lobbyist, and her involvement with the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL). Campbell recalls the growth of SOL across Las Vegas, the organization’s efforts with The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, and attending the Boyd Law School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Lastly, Campbell discusses the Latino Enrichment Conference (LEC), the Latin Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, and Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada (CPLC).
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the
Archival Collection