In 1964, the year that Vincent Kethen was born, desegregation of Las Vegas schools began. Like many African-American children living in the Las Vegas Westside neighborhood, Vincent was bused out of his neighborhood in third grade to attend a white school. In his case, this meant attending John S. Park Elementary and later other predominantly white schools. He talks about these experiences. John S. Park was a neighborhood of manicured lawns, while the school bus and the classroom were places fraught with fisticuffs. The experience of growing up during that era are recalled. Vincent provides a sense of that it was like to reside in his home neighborhood and the onslaught of the drug culture altered gang-lead neighborhoods. Being bused had positive results he explains, such as athletics, which served as an equalizer. For Vincent, a solid upbringing, which included love of church and the chance to attend college, encouraged him to make good decisions about his future. He received a four-year degree and he returned to Las Vegas to "give back." For over a decade and a half, her has coached young basketball players and helped them see their options for a brighter future than they might otherwise have seen.
Oral history interview with Carl Williams conducted by Claytee D. White and Kelli Luchs on April 20, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Williams discusses attending the Westside School starting in 1949. He recalls the teachers, staff, and describes the buildings as he remembers them. Lastly, Williams discusses activities held at the Westside School, community activities at the time, and his involvement with various churches.
Oral history interview with Audrey James conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20 and July 27, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. James discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 and working as an elementary school teacher. She also discusses starting a project to provide books for children in African countries, being an active church member, and volunteering in a food bank operation.
Oral history interview with Susan Fine conducted by Cecillia Boland on February 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fine discusses her family background and moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and then later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses the educational system, church involvement, mercury test site, Howard Hughes’ impact to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Boulder (Hoover) Dam.