Ruby shares highlights of her life and career path such as working with Hazel Gay, and working as the first fulltime black employee at Sears, and at Palm Mortuary. She provides details of breaking the color barrier on the Strip in 1960s.
Moving Image
Oral history interview with Mustafa Richards conducted by Claytee D. White on March 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. He discusses working as the only black bellman at the time for the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino and became the first African American bell captain. He also discusses his wife working for the Las Vegas, Nevada Clark County Library District for thirty years. Mustafa then discusses becoming a Muslim in the early 1990s and being appointed to be an Imam, a mosque officer, soon afterwards.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerrie Merritt conducted by Lisa McAllister on November 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Merritt discusses her early life in Alabama, and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harriet Barlow conducted by Elsha Harris-Tolanda on April 27, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Barlow discusses her personal history and growing up in Robbins, Illinois. She talks about her education, discrimination in schools, and the process of school integration. Barlow then recalls her first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada and her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lastly, Barlow describes going through graduate school as an African American and explains why conversations about race relations can be difficult.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Bob Stoldal conducted by Claytee D. White on May 22, 2014, May 23, 2014, and March 3, 2016 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, Stoldal discusses his upbringing in California before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. He talks about pursuing a career in journalism including working at Channel 3 and Channel 8, his interest in history, and involvement with cultural organizations including the Nevada State Museum, the MOB Museum, and Las Vegas Centennial Commission. Stoldal comments on the experiences of African Americans in Las Vegas including the 1969 Westside protests, sixth grade centers, and the treatment of entertainers.
Archival Collection
Interview with Emory and Agnes Lockette conducted by Claytee D. White on March 11, 2005. The Lockettes were the only African Americans to live in Boulder City during years of racial tension. Agnes taught kindergarten at Westside School, while Emory worked for the Bureau of Reclamation.
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Oral history interview with Helen Anderson and Karen Walker conducted by Claytee D. White and Barbara Tabach on February 21, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Anderson and her mother, Walker, discuss owning Hamburger Heaven, a Westside-famed restaurant, and the West Las Vegas, Nevada community changes over the years.
Archival Collection
Interviewed by Claytee White. History of passing in Las Vegas after integration is mandated. McKee danced at the Mint, The Silver Slipper's Minsky's Burlesque and the Dune's Viva Les Girls. Performed in Les Girls Montreal road show as well. Hosted the Los Angeles Morning Show, actress in many shows and movies, and was Sammy Davis' "road wife."
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Eddie & Johnie Wright met met, married in 1957, and raised their family in Las Vegas. Johnie arrived in Las Vegas in 1941, teaching first grade at the Westside school, eventually becoming a nurses aide. Eddie came to Las Vegas from Arkansas, and became the first black ticket agent at the local Greyhound station.
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Oral history interviews with Mahamed Youssouf conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 06, 2013 and August 13, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Youssouf discusses his childhood in Harar, Ethiopia and living there during the Ethiopia and Somalia conflict in the late 1970s. He recalls the Russian invasion into Ethiopia and the communist agenda that was enforced as a result. Youssouf then describes his involvement in student and community led protests and how he ended up in a refugee camp in Djibouti. He talks about his life in Djibouti as a tailor and his struggles finding permanent refuge. Youssouf discusses his acceptance into the United States as a refugee, arriving in New York, New York in 1980, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985. Lastly, Youssouf talks about his store in North Las Vegas, Uniform Plus, and the African American experience in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection