In 2014, Charlene, n?e Friedkin, Herst retired from her state government career, settled into volunteer work, being a mother and grandmother, and being a grant writer for others. After thirteen years in Carson City, she came back home to Las Vegas. Charlene was eight years old when her parents, Patricia and Richard Friedkin, moved their family to Las Vegas from northern California. She remembers vividly the hot day that they arrived and moved into a rental house in the desert across from Woodlawn Cemetery. Her father, formerly in the grocery business, found work at Vegas Village. Two years later they moved ?into Las Vegas at the very edge?which was Oakey.? She recalls people she has known since those first years who have been instrumental in the growth of Las Vegas; the challenges of being a divorced single mother of four; and the career path that began with an invitation from Gene Greenberg to apply for a part time position at Channel 3, where he was sales manager. At Channel 3 she quickly went from part time to full-time. She started the Community Projects Board, which brought together nonprofit organizations together at the studio in the 1980s to identify and develop marketing campaigns that addressed social issues in the community. Initiatives included Baby Your Baby and Smoking Stinks. While working for Channel 3, she also attended UNLV and received a communications degree in 1995. In 1997 she worked at Sierra Health Services in public relations. Then in October 2001, Charlene started her career in state government as the Nevada State Health Division?s Manager of the Tobacco Program. Over the course of her thirteen year career with the state, she was promoted to positions that continued her dedication to improving the quality of life of all Nevadans. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (2006); improving prevention services to women; reducing the rate of substance use and abuse in the state. The date of her retirement, October 10, 2014, was officially proclaimed in honor of Charlene Herst by Governor Brian Sandoval.
Part of an interview with Mozella Sheds Scott conducted by Claytee D. White on November 30, 2010. Scott describes working in a commercial kitchen and leaving her job to attend Nevada Southern University (UNLV).
Audio clip from interview with George Simmons. In this clip, Simmons talks about his work with Sproul Homes in Las Vegas and his career designing homes and structures for Test Site.
Part of an interview of Marcia Washington conducted by Claytee White on March 14, 2013. Washington discusses the Nubian Kefentse Kultural Kommunity Art Center, which she co-founded.
Part of an interview with Essie Shelton Jacobs by Claytee White on February 1, 1996 and April 15, 1996. Jacobs discusses her role as a shop steward in the Culinary Union and describes community relations with the union.
The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part Two: A conversation about “Education, Economy and Integration” MODERATOR- Sonya Horsford Ed.D. PANELISTS- Dr. Esther Langston (Professor UNLV) Verlia Davis-Hoggard (Director of Clark County Social Services-Retired) Idan M. Gaines (Regional Representative for Senator Harry Reid) Dr. Linda Young (President-CCSD Board of Trustees)
In these audio clips, Dr. Goldman recalls attending services as Temple Beth Sholom, and the effort to get more minorities, including Jews, hired in Clark County School District.