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 Jocelyn Oats conducted by Claytee D. White and John Grygo on November 30, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Oats discusses her family background and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since the mid 1950s. She describes the city at the time, the Baptist church community, and the church's influence on African Americans in West Las Vegas. Later, Oats talks about the issue of drugs in the Westside community and how it has affected members in her family. Lastly, Oats describes the African American experience in Las Vegas throughout her life.
Oral history interview with Beverly Mathis conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mathis discusses her early life in Trenton, Tennessee. She talks about experiencing discrimination, the importance of voting, and attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mathis describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and being an African American elementary teacher at the time. Lastly, Mathis discusses her thoughts on education in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Leon Green conducted by Claytee D. White on May 15, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Green discusses his personal history and growing up in West Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the African American community on the Westside, his educational experiences, and being involved in various church activities. Green describes the significance of spirituality in the African American community and how the Westside was deeply spiritual. He then talks about Westside community leaders Bishop C. C. Cox and Reverend Bennett, rioting on the Westside, and the community response to the changing racial climate. Lastly, Green discusses the growth and increase of businesses on the Westside.
Oral history interview with James Walker conducted by Larmaya Kilgore on November 14, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Walker discusses his personal history and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s. He talks about his employment at the Fremont Hotel in 1966 and working on the Las Vegas Strip the following year. Walker recalls the African American experience working on casino floors, facing discrimination, and the process of integration in schools. He then describes the jobs given to African Americans at the casinos, being unable to live in certain areas of the city, and the increase of African American workers in construction. Lastly, Walker discusses his ownership of the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino, casino licensing, and the increase of businesses in West Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Michael Maxwell conducted by Claytee D. White on February 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Maxwell discusses his personal history and his role as Director of Early Childhood Connection with the Las Vegas, Nevada Urban League. He describes the work he does with childcare, and how the Urban League receives funding. Maxwell also recalls his career as a teacher and administrator for the Clark County School District (CCSD). Later, Maxwell talks about the issue of school zoning in West Las Vegas, how people qualify for childcare subsidies, and the school-to-prison pipeline that many African American youth face. Lastly, Maxwell discusses the importance of having educated children in the African American community and the development of the Westside.
Oral history interview with Helen Anderson Toland conducted by Claytee D. White on February 21, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Toland discusses her childhood in Missouri and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada where her husband, who was a civil rights worker, lived. She also discusses her careers as a speech therapist and the first African American female principal in the Clark County School District. She then talks about her activism in the Las Vegas African American community.
Oral history interview with Theron and Naomi Goynes conducted by Claytee White on June 28, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Both Theron and Naomi Goynes discuss being African-American educators with Theron recalling his position as a North Las Vegas City Councilman. They also discuss the progression of school integration and special reading programs for students.
Oral history interviews with Cynthia and Edward Watson conducted by Claytee D. White on March 28, 2014 and May 13, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Edward begins by discussing his upbringing in Illinois, being adopted by his grandmother, and how issues regarding his custody arose after his grandmother died. Cynthia discusses her upbringing which was also in Illinois, attending a primarily white high school as a teenager and her experiences there as an African American, and being one of two African American employees in a company of approximately 600 employees. They describe the civil rights movement during the 1960s from their perspectives as African Americans and how their race defined how other people perceived them. The couple then describe moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, Edward's tenure as president of the Las Vegas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and their involvement in the African American community of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Eva Whaley conducted by Claytee D. White on May 13, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Eva Whaley discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from rural Arkansas in the early 1960s. She also discusses getting secretly married in her teens, working for the Clark County School District at several schools, and then working at the Sprint Telephone company.