Oral history interview with Gregory Crawford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 18, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Gregory shares his background growing up in Los Angeles, California and the influence that music had on his young life. He talks about his employment history working nearly three decades for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' University Libraries and his role in acquiring academic materials. Gregory also discusses his "foodie" hobby, favorite eateries, and continued interest in music. Subjects discussed include: Seafood City; Farmer Brothers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Kevin L. Wright conducted by Claytee D. White on July 28, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Dr. Kevin Wright discusses his childhood in Las Vegas and the influential women who have mentored him throughout his life. He talks of his education at the Gilbert Magnet School for Communications & Creative Arts in Las Vegas, his current professional pursuits as a part-time instructor in the College of Education, and his community involvement as a member of both Alpha Phi Omega and the National Service fraternities. Dr. Wright also shares his employment history within University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he previously worked in departments related to residential life, student activities, TRIO Training Institute programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Service), student affairs, student diversity, and leadership.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marjorie Bayle, Amie Bayle, and Danielle Oelhoffen conducted by Claytee D. White on September 24, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Three generations join together for the telling of the Bayle Family history and the details of Marjorie Bayle's life. She discusses her upbringing in Ohio, her family's occupations, and her employment history working for North American Aviation, Nationwide Insurance, and as a secretary for Rockwell International in California. Marjorie also shares details about her time spent living in Normandy, France with her husband.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary M. Gafford conducted by Claytee D. White on September 24, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Mary Gafford discusses her 30 year teaching career for the Clark County School District (CCSD) and her community service projects working with organizations such as the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Mayflower Society, the Nevada Statehood Sesquicentennial, and the Nevada Women's History Project.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Louise Randall Lawler conducted by Claytee D. White on September 25, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Louise Randall Lawler discusses her early years in Las Vegas, her family history, and her experience as Rancho High School's first Black cheerleader. She talks about her cheer experience at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, her teaching career for the Clark County School District at Rancho High School and Valley High School, her time dancing with Redd Foxx, and her bartending career at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harold Hardwick Sr. conducted by Claytee D. White on September 28, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Harold Hardwick discusses life on the Westside of Las Vegas during the 1960s-1970s and his childhood home in Windsor Park. He also talks about his employment at the Sugar Hill Club owned by Bob and Anna Bailey that catered to entertainers and celebrities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendell Phillips Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on October 4, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Wendell Phillips Williams discusses his childhood and education in Louisiana before moving to Las Vegas in 1977. Williams talks of his time teaching for the Clark County School District (CCSD), his radio program "Straight Talk" on KCEP's Power 88.1 radio station, the Crystal Apple Award he received as an educator from CCSD, and how he started the now-longest standing Martin Luther King Jr. parade in the United States. Williams shares his passion for Black history and education as well as the bills he championed as a Nevada State Assemblyman from 1987-2001. He also discusses the historical details of how Madison Elementary School was rebuilt and became the Wendell Phillips Williams Elementary School in 2002.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Helen Jamison Baker conducted by Rod Lotspeich on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Baker discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932. She talks about housing at the time, Six Companies, Inc., and the development of Boulder City, Nevada in the 1930s. Baker describes the construction of the Hoover Dam, and the increase of convention centers in Las Vegas through the 1960s and 1970s. Lastly, Baker compares living in Henderson, Nevada to her past experience living in Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Xniea L. Baird conducted by Larry Holcomb on April 04, 1976 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Baird discusses her early life and growing up in Goldfield, Nevada. She talks about the devastating Goldfield fire of 1923, flooding in the area, and mineral mining. Baird describes Esmeralda County, Nevada when it was mostly tent houses, and the increase of population in Goldfield at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John M. Fleegle Jr. conducted by Kenneth Wilson on March 17, 1978 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Fleegle talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966. He recalls working in the gypsum mines in Blue Diamond, Nevada, moving into the service station business, and the types of occupations in Las Vegas before gaming. Lastly, Fleegle describes the economic development in the city as the population increased.
Archival Collection