Oral history interview with Charles Seals conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Seals discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up on the Westside. He recalls attending Madison Elementary School, being involved in church activities, and his initial interests in religious ministry. Seals talks about working in the funeral industry, and starting a church in the mid-1980s. Seals recalls the African American church leaders in the Westside and other community leaders at the time. He describes businesses on Jackson Street and recreational activities he participated in. Later, Seals discusses his mother, Rosie Seals, and her involvement in the Welfare Rights movement, being a founding member of the Clark County Welfare Rights Organization (CCWRO), and starting Operation Life. Lastly, Seals talks about the issue of substance abuse, organized crime, and the lack of financial investment into the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Estralita Williams conducted by B. Leon Green on February 13, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Estralita Williams discusses being raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, her family, life in the historic neighborhood the Westside, segregation, and working at the Economic Opportunity Board.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Turner conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2004 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Turner discusses her family background and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She describes the city at the time and recalls her educational experiences while attending the Fifth Street School and Las Vegas High School. Turner then talks about her involvement as a teacher for Sunday church school and her employment at the Moulin Rouge Hotel-Casino as a change girl and waitress. Later, Turner discusses the Helldorado Parade, racial integration, and being the first African American family to move to North Las Vegas in 1966. Lastly, Turner describes housing and what the community was like in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Augusta Massey conducted by Steve Hayes on November 14, 2011 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Massey discusses her early life in Nigeria, moving to Memphis, Tennessee, and then relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. She talks about her educational experience in Memphis and compares social life in the South and the West. Massey describes her career in law, working in various law firms in Las Vegas, and starting mentoring programs for new attorneys. Lastly, Massey discusses the importance of scholarships for students in law school, her involvement with the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), and why it is important for lawyers to be active in the LVNBA.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arby L. Hambric conducted by Claytee D. White on September 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Hambric discusses serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War in the United States Navy, while recalling racial experiences in the military. He also talks about moving to Nevada in 1976 and protesting against the closing of F Street from 2008 to 2014, when the street was reopened.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Audrey James conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20 and July 27, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. James discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952 and working as an elementary school teacher. She also discusses starting a project to provide books for children in African countries, being an active church member, and volunteering in a food bank operation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maxine Butler conducted by Frank Johnson on April 22, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Butler discusses her early life in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965, the Westside, and businesses on Jackson Street. Butler recalls working at The Cove as a cocktail waitress, the reopening of Moulin Rouge Hotel, and the African American community on the Westside. Later, Butler discusses her involvement at Greater Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, the importance of church to the African American community, and compares church life in Jonesboro and Las Vegas. Lastly, Butler talks about changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Norma de la Cerna Tolbert conducted by Claytee D. White on June 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Tolbert discusess her career as a professional dancer from the age of fifteen. She begins by describing her early childhood in Houston, Texas, moving to Chicago, Illinois where she began to study dance, and leaving home at fifteen years old to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey to dance in professional productions. Tolbert then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, performing at the Moulin Rouge, and living in the Berkley Square community where they built new housing for the dancers. She also discusses performing at the Dunes Hotel and Casino, the African American community of Las Vegas, and the closing of the Moulin Rouge.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Clinton Wright conducted by Claytee D. White on October 13, 2005 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Clinton reflects on the societal changes he observed over the years, particularly in the black community of the Westside and North Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls how he changed his personal thoughts about raising his children in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Daisy Lee Miller conducted by Claytee D. White on March 22, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Miller discusses Las Vegas, Nevada’s education system and raising her children in the Westside community amidst the civil rights movement.
Archival Collection