Oral history interview with Leslee Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas is the granddaughter of Larry Wilburn and daughter of Terry Wilburn, owners of Larry's Sight & Sound, a business institution in the Westside. The business, first located at 1318 D Street, was initially called Larry's Music Bar. The Music Bar moved to Owens Avenue and was renamed Larry's Sight & Sound. For 35 years until 1992, the music shop drew in stars and locals for its vinyl records, record players, and casssettes. In the interview, Thomas shares how she learned to work in the business, stay connected to family, and be a contributing member of the community. She describes her dreams for the Westside, which include giving tourists reasons to visit the Black community, capital investments, and marketing. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interview with Rosemarie and Gregory Johnson conducted by Amber Rose Johnson on December 04, 2016 and December 05, 2016 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Gregory discusses his early life and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about being being an electrician and member of the IBEW Local 357 in Las Vegas, and Union workers' strike. In the second interview, Rosemarie discusses her upbringing and arriving to Las Vegas in 1984. Lastly, Gregory and Rosemarie describe the implications of being an interracial couple, and the intersections of race and class.
Oral history interview with Judith Hickman conducted by Shirley Emerson on July 16, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Hickman discusses her early life and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956. She recalls integration, civil rights for African Americans, and the growth of the city. Hickman talks about her experience living in the West Charleston area, and African Americans deciding to move to other parts of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Nathaniel Barlow conducted by Claytee D. White on May 14, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. Barlow begins the interview by sharing his experiences growing up in rural Louisiana and shares how he ended up moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 as a teenage boy. Barlow shares his views and experiences of Las Vegas at that time, sharing the ways the town has changed and talks about the economic opportunities that were available to him when he moved to Las Vegas. He shares his views on the history of the unions and union leaders in Las Vegas during the times he was a member of the Teamsters Local 881 and later the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. Barlow also talks about the Selective Service Draft for the Vietnam War and his experiences with that. He recalls the history of Las Vegas' historic Westside and shares his roles in the area's history.
Oral history interview with Ida M. Gaines conducted by Claytee D. White on September 30, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Gaines discusses her early life in Louisiana. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, living in the Westside, and her employment at the Nevada Test Site. Gaines remembers integration, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and becoming a member of Gamma Phi Delta. Gaines talks about working with Senator Harry Reid as a community liaison, the economic downfall of Jackson Street businesses, and redevelopment of the Westside. Lastly, Gaines discusses the issue of homelessness in the community, and the work that the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) did to reduce poverty in the Westside.
Oral history interview with Sandra F. Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on March 29, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mack discusses her early life in Seattle, Washington. She talks about her education in home economics, becoming a teacher, and her experience teaching during segregation. Mack recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, and her involvement with community organizations 100 Black Women, the Las Vegas Branch of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League Guild, and the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter. Lastly, Mack talks about the 1 October shooting, gun violence, the increase of security at churches.
Oral history interview with William (Bob) Bailey conducted by Claytee White on November 19, 1997 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. William H. “Bob” Bailey discusses how he arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 to become the emcee at the Moulin Rouge and how he entered a black community that used his talents in the fight for equality and justice. He then discusses how the closing of the Moulin Rouge after a few months of operation propelled him into services on the Equal Rights Commission as well as a career in the television industry, ownership in several local gaming establishments, and formation of the NEDCO (Nevada Economic Development Company).
Oral history interview with Renee Watson conducted by Claytee D. White on June 14, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Watson discusses her early life in Harbor City, California where she attended a private school. She discusses living and working in a great number of places, eventually arriving to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2018 as Associate Vice President for Campus Life. In this role, she managed eight departments and 131 employees, all charged with helping students navigate their academic careers while enjoying the college experience. At the time of the interview, Watson was about to move to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to serve as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Central Michigan University where she plans to know, understand, update, and apply policies equitably with transparency.
Oral history interview with Frank Hawkins conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 09, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hawkins discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his educational experience in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and playing in their football program. Hawkins recalls being drafted into the National Football League (NFL), playing for the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders), and the controversy behind the construction of Allegiant Stadium. Later, Hawkins talks about his career in construction, starting a construction company, and explains how he names the buildings he constructs. Lastly, Hawkins discusses the legalization of medical marijuana in Nevada, and becoming the first African American to own a dispensary in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Daniel A. Moore conducted by Norwood Germany Jr. on March 03, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Moore discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 for his father's career. Moore discusses his own career at McCarran Airport as well as his interest in bowling. Moore also discusses the African American community in Las Vegas.