Oral history interview with Carmen and Kelcey West conducted by Jennifer Kean and Niles Johnson on April 01, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Kelcey discusses his upbringing in the Baptist church and becoming a pastor for Nehemiah Ministries Church. He then recalls his education experience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, how he learned about the many different ministries of the church, and describes how his church is organized. Kelcey explains his involvement with Churches of Southern Nevada and sponsoring Unity Through Knowledge, a tour of Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Later, Carmen discusses her role as a pastor’s wife and as a first lady at Nehemiah Ministries Church. Lastly, she describes organizing church events and the work she does as first lady.
Oral history interview with Lena Brass conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 17, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brass discusses her upbringing in Winsboro, Louisiana and describes living during segregation. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975 with her husband, her employment at Nevada State Bank, and participating in the Martin Luther King parade. Brass then talks about the advancement of banking technology, the utilization of computers, and her experience as an African American bank manager. Later, Brass talks of her mentors, her faith, and the economic downturn of Jackson Street businesses in the Westside. Lastly, Brass discusses the future of the African American community in Las Vegas, the Westside, and business networking with the church community.
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 interview with Peter James Guzman conducted by Claytee D. White on September 10, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Guzman discusses his family's history and shares his father’s emigration story from Cuba to the United States. He recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, attending Chaparral High School, living on 28th Street and Bonanza, and his career in real estate. Lastly, Guzman talks about his role as President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of Hope for Prisoners, and Vice Chairman of Workforce Connection.
Oral history interview with Ricardo Torres-Cortez conducted by Monserrath Hernandez and Maribel Estrada Calderón on May 07, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Torres-Cortez discusses his family’s emigration story from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico to Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes his career as a journalist and his employment at the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. Later, Torres-Cortez discusses the benefits of being a bilingual reporter, how conflict of interest impacts his writing, and the lack of Latinos in journalism in the United States. Lastly, Torres-Cortez explains the impact social media platforms have on journalism, reporting on the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas, and his thoughts on the Latino community in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Mario Sandoval conducted by Claytee D. White on December 06, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Sandoval discusses his mother’s emigration story to the United States from Mexico and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. He recalls his first memories of the city, living on the Westside, and segregation at the time. Sandoval talks about his employment at the Hilton Hotel at the age of sixteen and other hotels on the Strip. Lastly, Sandoval discusses Fremont Street from the 1970s to 1990s, changes in downtown Las Vegas, and his experience as a member of the Culinary Workers Union.
Oral history interview with Rabbi Felipé Goodman conducted by Barbara Tabach and Monserrath Hernandez on April 01, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Goodman discusses his upbringing in Mexico City, Mexico and growing up in the Jewish neighborhood of Polanco. He recalls trips to the United States, differences between Mexican Judaism and American Judaism, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1998. Later, Goodman talks about being Rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom, his connection to the Latinx community, and his story of becoming a United States citizen. Lastly, Goodman discusses his observations of anti-Semitism and attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in 2019.
Oral history interview with Apolonio ‘Loney’ Sauceda conducted by Barbara Tabach and Monserrath Hernández on August 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Sauceda discusses his family's heritage and how they immigrated from León, Mexico to the United States in the 1920s. He describes growing up in Argentine, Kansas, the Latino community there, and attending Catholic schools. Sauceda recalls serving in the United States Army while still in high school and starting American Legion Post 213 in 1946. He then talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969 and his involvement with the Nevada Association of Latin Americans (NALA). Lastly, Sauceda discusses becoming a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and being a member of the Color Guard Post 8.
Oral history interview with Nora Mirabal conducted by Elsa López on August 30, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Mirabal discusses her upbringing in Coralillo, Cuba. She describes her family's life in Cuba and shares her family's reasons for leaving the country. Mirabal talks about the immigration process, which involved Cuban migrants temporarily living in Spain, and moving from Spain to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. She recalls schooling, taking English as Secondary Language (ESL) classes, and being involved with the 28th street gang for protection. Later, Mirabal discusses attending the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV). She describes the Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program, education funding in Clark County, and CSN’s collaboration with Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program. Lastly, Mirabal talks about Cuban traditions, Cuban community in Las Vegas, and her involvement with the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
Oral history interview with Jahaira Farias conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 12, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Farias discusses her family’s background in Mexico and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls attending Western High School, joining their ROTC program, and commanding the armed drill team. Farias talks about her decision to enlist to the United States Marine Corps and describes the type of work she did while serving. She describes her deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder within in the Marine Corps, and her experiences as a woman in the military. Later, Farias discusses being president of the Women Marines Association (WMA) and the organization's involvement in Las Vegas high schools. Lastly, Farias talks about the term Latinx and her evolving feelings around identity.