Woodrow Wilson was born in Morton, Mississippi on August 28, 1915. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932. He worked at the Basic Magnesium plant, was the first African American Nevada Assemblyman elected in 1966, and served as president of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples.
Ron Current's heart was always in the right place, with respect to social activism and his dedication to empowering the black community in Las Vegas. Inspired by Black Panther Party founders, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, Ron started the Black Panther Party Las Vegas Chapter. He was also the director of public relations for the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression; an organization created to work in tandem with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, to eliminate racial inequality. Ron describes the overall atmosphere of the Westside community in Las Vegas during the early days, as chaotic, drug infested, and riddled with daily gang related shootings. He also recalls the historic preservation attempts made by leading members of the Westside community, such as Sarann Knight Preddy. Ron recalls working at the University Medical Center while recruiting for the Black Panther Party Las Vegas Chapter. This interview demonstrates the power of love. As the founder and leader of the Black Panther Party Las Vegas Chapter, Ron was named one of the most influential blacks in Las Vegas by the Sentinel Voice. He recalls utilizing his hands-on leadership approach towards capacity building and the successful implementation of community mobilization strategies and methods. He was a champion for educational equity, equal access to employment opportunities, and economic equality in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The mission of the Urban Chamber of Commerce is to create and foster an environment that promotes development of members and black owned businesses. The Nevada Black Chamber of Commerce was founded July 7, 1980, after the idea was planted by Katherine Joseph. Ms. Joseph met with members of the Oakland, California Chamber of Commerce during a visit there and was very impressed with their efforts. When Katherine returned home she shared the idea with members of the NAACP. She solicited the help of Sarann Knight-Preddy who formed a board consisting of Dr.
Newspaper clipping with photograph featuring Toni Miller from Western Airlines buying an advertisement from NAACP representatives Saran Knight, Eleanor Walker and Lubertha Johnson.
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."
Newspaper clipping of photograph with caption: Homecoming Committee -- Left to right - Sarann Knight, Rev. Willie Davis, Lubertha M. Johnson, Rev. Jesse D. Scott, and Judge Addelair D. Guy.
Black and white photograph of Dr. James B. McMillan, J. David Hoggard, Herb Mills, Claude Perkins, Sarann Knight, Willie "Punch" Hughes, and Lorenzo Calhoun raising money at the NAACP Valley View Golf Club, circa 1965.
"The Cotton Club was a club at 500 Jackson St. in the West Side of Las Vegas, Nevada, which was an exclusive club for African Americans. Established in late 1944 as a small bar by Moe Taub... In 1969, [Sarann] Preddy put in a club with Margie Elliot called the Playhouse Lounge at the location. They were unable to obtain a gaming license and after a year, sold the business. It reopened from 1970 to 1985 as "Love's Cocktail Lounge"..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Club_(Las_Vegas)
The Urban Chamber of Commerce of Las Vegas, Nevada Records date from approximately 1980 to 2009 and contains the organizational records of the Urban Chamber of Commerce of Las Vegas, Nevada (UCC), one of the many chambers of commerce in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. The mission of the Urban Chamber of Commerce is to create and foster an environment that promotes development of members and Black-owned businesses. The collection is comprised of publications, financial and administrative records, various event information, and photographs of events and membership.
Part of an interview with D. D. Cotton by Claytee White on February 14, 1997. Cotton discusses challenges faced by women dealers and her work as a dancer and dealer in a number of casinos.