Oral history interview with Ernest Fountain conducted by Claytee D. White on March 27, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Fountain discusses African American owned businesses and explains why these businesses are disproportionately disappearing and going out of business. Fountain then talks about the importance of understanding finance and economics, small businesses, and starting his lending firm, New Ventures Capital Development Company. Lastly, Fountain explains the process of owning a bank, and the importance of having more African American owned financial institutions.
Oral history interviews with Barbara Agonia conducted by Suzanne Becker on September 17, 2007, September 25, 2007, and October 02, 2007 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Agonia's interviews begin with an overview of her early life, including her education and study abroad experiences in England during college. During the interview Agonia also discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1950s for graduate school. Agonia talks about her community activism with Soroptimist International of Las Vegas, Friends of the Nevada Wildnerness, and Clark County Community College. Lastly, Agonia discusses advocacy initiatives for Great Basin National Park and rape crisis education.
Oral history interview with Maury Soss conducted by Nyla Petersen on February 20, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Soss discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Soss describes the casinos, clubs, and life in Las Vegas during the early 1930s, and running Fanny's, a dress store, with his mother. He also describes women's fashion in the 1930s and how modern styles have changed since the early twentieth century. Soss goes on to discuss the Helldorado Parade, the development of Las Vegas through its casinos and public works, and the entertainers who have performed over the years in Las Vegas. Soss then talks about the arts community in Las Vegas and the need for a greater artistic culture in the city.
Oral history interview with Bonita Coleman conducted by Claytee D. White on February 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Coleman discusses her early life in St. Joseph, Louisiana. She shares her experiences helping to raise her 8 siblings while her mother worked to support her family. Coleman briefly discusses the historical race relations of St. Joseph in the 1950s and 1960s from her own experiences growing up. In 1968, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining her aunt and sister who had moved here in 1960. Coleman recalls the start of her career in the hospitality industry, and shares what she remembers of her family members' jobs since they all worked in the industry as well.
Oral history interview with Betty Francisco conducted by Joanne Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Francisco opens her interview by discussing her early life in Arizona and California. Francisco then talks about her dance career in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting with her work at the Dunes Hotel. Francisco also discusses working for choreographer Harold Minsky. Finally, Francisco describes common dancer experiences, such as getting injured or sick.
Oral history interview with Sandra F. Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on March 29, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mack discusses her early life in Seattle, Washington. She talks about her education in home economics, becoming a teacher, and her experience teaching during segregation. Mack recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, and her involvement with community organizations 100 Black Women, the Las Vegas Branch of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League Guild, and the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter. Lastly, Mack talks about the 1 October shooting, gun violence, the increase of security at churches.
Oral history interview with Talia Levanon conducted by Barbara Tabach on January 21, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Levanon discusses her role as the Director of Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), an organization that provides trauma care and counseling in Israel and around the world. She recalls that three weeks after the 1 October shooting, she and a team from ITC arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada to offer training and support and worked closely with Las Vegas Metro Police Department. Digital audio available.
Oral history interview with Kim Vilt conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Vilt discusses living in the John S. Park Neighborhood for ten years and her plans to stay there as long as she and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Robert Maxson conducted by David Emerson on May 15, 2007 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Robert Maxson, the president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1984 to 1994 discusses securing funding for an engineering school, facilitating its accreditation, and obtaining funding for an honors program.