Oral history interview with LaShannon Lewis conducted by Claytee D. White on March 22, 2019 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Lewis discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. She talks about moving out of the Westside neighborhood, attending a sixth grade center, and the geographical division of the community. Lewis remembers her employment as a social worker for Clark County, and the redevelopment of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Samuel Smith conducted by Claytee White on June 17, 2011 and June 22, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Smith discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978 and working as a fire inspector until he retired in 2003. He also discusses organizing free reading and math classes to help people prepare for the firefighter exam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Barr Smith conducted by Melvin Smail on February 22, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Smith discusses working at the Basic Magnesium plant, playing high stakes poker games with prominent gamblers like "Nick the Greek," and the casinos built on the early Las Vegas Strip. Smith also describes how Las Vegas has changed, the different forms of gambling and gaming available in the city, and life in 1940s Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Afton Powers conducted by Stephen Johnson on January 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Powers discusses living in St. Thomas, Nevada before the town was submerged in water after the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). She describes the utilities they had, her recreational activities, and how the town prepared for its eventual submersion.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Lawrence conducted by Dennis McBride on 1997 June 22, July 11, and August 08 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In this interview Ron Lawrence discusses his early life, his career, and the gay community in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also discusses gay rights and the AIDs epidemic in the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed W. May conducted by Claytee D. White on July 22, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, May discusses golfing in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Valley View Club, an organization for predominately African American golfers, and its significance to the African American community. May describes how the club began and recalls anecdotes from his time as president of the club for nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brenda Mason conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2006 and December 22, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Mason discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1970s. She also recalls serving two terms on the Nevada Board of Regents and being recognized for her efforts in affirmative action. She then discusses her work as a paralegal in the U.S. Attorney's office in San Diego, California.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Judy Smith conducted by Suzanne Becker on November 22, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Smith discusses moving from Barstow, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. She also discusses working as the assistant society editor for the Las Vegas Sun, graduating from the University of Nevada Reno, and moving back to Las Vegas with her husband and children to live in the John S. Park Neighborhood in 1967.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Henry Shepherd conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shepherd discusses being an African-American bartender on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, hired as a result of the 1971 consent decree. He also recalls memories of Jackson Street, the homes in North Las Vegas, and the hotels in downtown Las Vegas and on the Strip.
Archival Collection
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