Oral history interview with Barbara Jean Drew conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Barbara Drew is the Dean of the Academy for Ministers, teaches Bible study, and performs other spiritual work at New Jerusalem Worship Center. Drew migrated to Las Vegas from Fortune Fork, Louisiana, just two miles outside the city limits of Tallulah.
This interview covers life in the Black community beginning when Drew arrived in 1961. She spoke about the importance of businesses like the Brown Derby, Hamburger Heaven, and the Town Tavern that hosted jazz on Sunday afternoons with a dance floor that she enjoyed. She discussed her first job running American Linen, a Dry Cleaners owned by Phil Shapiro; Shapiro mentored Drew, teaching her about business operations, purchasing property for her family, bookkeeping, and the importance of having a bank account. She also spoke of a neighborhood where neighbors helped neighbors and opportunities that flourished throughout the Black community. Subjects discussed include: Jackson Ave, Town Tavern, New Jerusalem Worship Center, Kasper Park, Berkley Square, and Phil Shapiro.
Archival Collection
Black and white portrait photograph of Audrey James.
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Color photograph of Audrey James.
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Color portrait photograph of Audrey James.
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Color portrait photograph of Audrey James.
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Newspaper clipping with photograph featuring Verlia Davis, Sarann Knight, Lubertha Johnson and Arlone Scott receiving oral histories taken in the 1970s for "The Black Experience in Southern Nevada."
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Dell Ray Rhodes with her brother in the alley behind her grandmother's house , between Monroe and Jackson Streets in 1955. (as featured with oral history transcript)
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Oral history interviews with Don Cunningham conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2017, January 26, 2017, and February 10, 2017 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Cunningham discusses his upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri and his early interest in music. He talks about becoming a musician in the military, and traveling around the world to play in the military bands. In the second interview, Cunningham remembers the transition out of the military, becoming a freelance musician, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. In the final interview, Cunningham discusses his involvement with the Las Vegas Jazz Society, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Archival Collection
This heading is assigned to music of African Americans. Musical works about African Americans collectively are entered under [African Americans--Songs and music.]
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Oral history interview with Anthony Mulholland conducted by Steve Hayes on November 21, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mulholland discusses his personal history and early educational experiences. He talks about his employment for Clark County Libraries and becoming a professor at the Community College of Southern Nevada. Mulholland describes the first courses he taught on literature, applying mythology to the curriculum, and why he uses archetypical characters in his courses. Lastly, Mulholland discusses the approach he uses in the various literature courses he teaches and explains how he is able to relate to many of his students.
Archival Collection