Oral history interview with John West conducted by Claytee D. White on August 10, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, West discusses his family background and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954. West describes his educational experiences in Las Vegas and his career as a clinical psychologist. He recalls his father’s career in medicine and becoming the first African American licensed medical doctor in Las Vegas. West then talks about attending entertainment events before race integration was introduced, and the voting patterns in West Las Vegas. Lastly, West discusses his father’s decision to remain living in West Las Vegas and operating his medical office there after integration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Craig Knight conducted by Adriona Jordan on December 01, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Knight begins the interview talking about his childhood in New York, including entertainment at the Apollo Theater, religious activities, and education. He then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 in order to attend Bishop Gorman High School, emphasizing its racial makeup and his time spent playing in the jazz band. He also details his involvement in minority serving community organizations, including the Urban Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Advisory Council. He concludes the interview
discussing West Las Vegas, the closure of F Street, and modern renovations in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marilyn Tinnell conducted by John Grygo on June 19, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Tinnell begins by discussing her personal history, the history of Henderson, Nevada, and how the Basic Townsite evolved into the city of Henderson. She continues, discussing the African American population of the Carver Park community in Henderson, who lived there due to segregation before Henderson was integrated. Tinnell describes life in Henderson during the 1950s, attending Basic High School with Harry Reid, and attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to pursue a career in social work. Tinnell details her career as a social worker, working as an investigator for Child Protective Services and as a family services specialist for foster care families.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Celesta Lowe conducted by Patrick W. Canlton on February 06, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lowe begins by discussing her early life in Baker, California and her father’s role as a station agent for the Tonopah Tidewater Railroad during the 1920s and 1930s. Lowe then describes her family moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. Lowe chronicles the process state legislatures took to open Nevada Southern University in 1957 and her role as an administrative assistant in the main office of the school. Lowe recounts her career at Nevada Southern University, the expansion of the campus, and renaming it University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, Lowe talks about her switch from an administrative assistant to a librarian at UNLV.
Archival Collection
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
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Oral history interview with Dr. Agnes Lockette conducted by Dennis McBride on March 25, 1996 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. In the interview, Lockette discusses her experiences teaching in the Clark County, Nevada School District (CCSD) and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Lockette begins by talking about studying at Albany State College in Albany, Georgia, moving around the United States due to her husband's military service, and finally settling in Boulder City, Nevada in 1953. She also discusses racial integration in CCSD and in her own classrooms at the Westside School (Las Vegas Grammar School) and C. T. Sewell Elementary School during the 1960s. Other subjects Lockette covers include the expansion of the Las Vegas, Nevada hotel and casino industries in the early 1950s, the increasing student population, teaching conditions, and other educators in Las Vegas including Mabel Hoggard and James Dickinson. Lastly, Lockette recalls her experiences with UNLV, community support and engagement for education, and working toward her master's and doctoral degrees in English.
Archival Collection
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