Oral history interviews with Joe W. Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on November 19, 2018, January 11, 2019, February 06, 2019, and June 18, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In these interviews, Brown discusses his early life and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He remembers becoming a District Court law clerk, and being appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the State Justice Institute and the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States. Brown talks about his involvement with charitable organizations, being a commissioner for the Nevada Gaming Commission, and founding the Nevada Military Support Alliance. Lastly, Brown discusses the development of his law firms in Las Vegas, being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and receiving the Outstanding Alumnus Award by the Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Oral history interviews with Mahamed Youssouf conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 06, 2013 and August 13, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Youssouf discusses his childhood in Harar, Ethiopia and living there during the Ethiopia and Somalia conflict in the late 1970s. He recalls the Russian invasion into Ethiopia and the communist agenda that was enforced as a result. Youssouf then describes his involvement in student and community led protests and how he ended up in a refugee camp in Djibouti. He talks about his life in Djibouti as a tailor and his struggles finding permanent refuge. Youssouf discusses his acceptance into the United States as a refugee, arriving in New York, New York in 1980, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985. Lastly, Youssouf talks about his store in North Las Vegas, Uniform Plus, and the African American experience in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Sarann Knight Preddy conducted by Yvonne R. Hunter on July 16, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Knight discusses her bar (The Lincoln Bar) in Hawthorne, Nevada and how she built it for the African American community because of limited access to venues due to segregation. Knight then talks about working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the influence that gambling had on the community.
Oral history interview with Steve Johnson conducted by Fred Reagan on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Johnson discusses his exposure to African American racial discrimination and segregation in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s to the 1970s. He discusses these experiences in markets, theaters, casinos, employment, and in common social interactions. Johnson also discusses the slow progression of social acceptance to racial integration and African Americans entering professional fields.
Oral history interview with Dorothy Lee conducted by Claytee D. White on June 02, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and recalls horse riding from Paradise Township to downtown Las Vegas. After moving to the John S. Park neighborhood, she attended Las Vegas High School and worked at the Huntridge Theater as an usher. She also discusses her time working as an elevator operator at the Riviera and how she became a Rhythmette in her second year in high school.
Oral history interview with Richard L. Stanley conducted by Duane Reid on March 13, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Stanley begins by discussing moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1945 while enlisted in the United States Navy, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and his history in law enforcement. Stanley talks about nuclear weapons tests, overall changes in Las Vegas, and the Old Mormon Fort. He concludes by describing the history of Nellis Air Force Base and McCarran International Airport.
Oral history interview with Joseph Thiriot conducted by Claytee D. White on August 10, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Thiriot discusses his vivid memories of moving around, including living in Idaho where his father sold an invention that was a forerunner to the typewriter. He also talks about working as a high school teacher.
Oral history interview with Zelvin D. Lowman conducted by Kevin A. Hedden on March 14, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lowman discusses the evolution of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Southern Nevada and his experiences working for Nevada Power. Lowman also discusses the challenges Nevada Power faced in keeping up with the growing energy demands of a rapidly expanding population. Finally, Lowman talks about working in the Nevada state legislature.
Oral history interview with Janice Allen conducted by Claytee White in 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Allen discusses her early experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada and her involvement with the Junior League of Las Vegas. She describes the League’s membership growth, charity events, and women who mentored her in the League. She also discusses her experiences with Fremont Street and the Huntridge Theater, and her involvement with organizations such as Jayceettes, Beta Sigma Phi, and Young Audiences.
Oral history interview with Gloria Dixon conducted by Claytee D. White on May 2, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Dixon recalls her childhood growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dixon attended St. Christopher and Bishop Gorman High School, and recalls her parents' involvement in the New Jerusalem Church. Dixon discusses writing grants to help with community education programs, and using her experience as a hospice nurse for the last thirty years to help communicate information about public health crises. Throughout the interview, Dixon shares information about the businesses in the Las Vegas Black community on Jackson Street.