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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tia Stone conducted by Claytee D. White on September 25, 2020 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Tia Stone was the organizer of several Las Vegas protests, including marches for justice after the murder of George Floyd and for the Black Lives Matter movement. She discusses how she planned these rallies, the makeup of the attendees, and her thoughts on what local and national police reform should look like.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarann Knight Preddy, Elizabeth Warren, and Woodrow Wilson conducted by Porter Troutman on July 19, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this forum, Knight, Warren, and Wilson discuss the history of West Las Vegas, Nevada. Knight recalls arriving to Las Vegas in 1942 and describes the African American experience at that time. She talks about being the first woman of color to receive a gaming license, dealing cards, and the city ordinance which banned African American dealers. Wilson remembers the living conditions before federal housing and race restrictive covenants in housing. Then, Warren talks about the city's early years, the history of discrimination against African Americans in the city, and the significance of the railroad in Las Vegas. The group answers questions asked by audience members throughout the duration of the forum.
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Oral history interview with Louis Conner conducted by John Grygo on March 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Conner discusses his personal history and growing up in Tallulah, Louisiana. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his family for job opportunities in the late 1950s. Conner describes his employment at the Stardust Hotel, segregation, and living in West Las Vegas. He then talks about integration in the mid-1960s, Jackson Street entertainment, and the changing demographic of the Westside. Lastly, Conner discusses the development of Las Vegas, families moving out of the Westside, and new businesses in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Hazel Gay conducted by Claytee D. White on December 02, 1995 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gay discusses her husband being the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as being the assistant manager at the Sands Hotel and Casino and an executive at the Union Plaza. Gay also discusses running dress shops and working as a display artist and retail clerk in other shops.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Steven Horsford conducted by Claytee D. White on August 19, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Horsford begins by discussing his family's Trinidadian ancestry and how his family came to move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. He describes living in the Berkley Square neighborhood, his education, and how he developed his interest in pursuing a career in politics. Horsford continues, discussing his grandmother, his children, and his experiences growing up in the African American community of Las Vegas. Other topics of discussion include his family traditions, his wife, and attending the University of Nevada, Reno.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruby Amie-Pilot conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 07, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Amie-Pilot discusses various topics including the importance of the Zion United Methodist Church, experiences of segregated schools in the lower grades, and change in racism over time, from Texas to Las Vegas, Nevada. Amie-Pilot also talks about leaders of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) members including Hank Greenspun and members of the local black community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Brenda J. Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on May 24, 2013 and June 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Williams discusses her personal history and life in Las Vegas, Nevada since she moved there as a child with her family during the 1940s. She describes the diversity of the Westside community she lived in, her family, and the recreational activities she participated in as a young woman. Williams talks about several careers that she has had over the course of her life, such as a telephone operator, hat shop owner, and board member for the Las Vegas Housing Authority before later transitioning to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Regina Cone, Lotea Cone, and Maurice Cone conducted by Claytee D. White on March 01, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lotea discusses her upbringing in Fordyce, Arkansas and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. She remembers the Westside during the late 1950s and discusses businesses in that area. Maurice talks about growing up in the Westside, the increase of organized crime, and attending Rancho High School. Lastly, Lotea and Maurice recall segregation in Las Vegas and changes in the Westside community. Regina is the daughter of Lotea and briefly participates in the interview.
Archival Collection