Town hall meeting for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project facilitated by Claytee D. White on May 11, 2013. In this town hall, White explains the mission and the purpose behind the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Attendees also speak, telling stories and histories of the African American people and communities in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interviews with David Green conducted by Dennis McBride on August 20 and October 22, 1999 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Green discusses his contributions to the founding and operation of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, also known as The Center. He recalls purchasing the first building used for The Center in 1993, anecdotes about other founding members, and details regarding the administrative management at The Center. Green also discusses his early life in New York, understanding his sexuality, and his family's reactions.
Oral history interview with J. K. Russ conducted by Claytee D. White on December 22, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Russ discusses her early life in New Zealand and growing up on a tobacco farm. She remembers arriving to the United States and establishing a career as an artist. Russ talks about the 1 October shooting, creating an art exhibit using cards and letters received from people all over the world, and Las Vegas’ response to the tragedy. Lastly, Russ describes the art community in Las Vegas and the Arts District.
Oral history interviews with Gudrun Fonfa conducted by Dennis McBride on June 15, 2008 and June 22, 2008 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Fonfa discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the lesbian community at the time. She talks about the founding of organizations to support the rights of the gay community. Fonfa discusses her contributions to Nevadans for Human Rights (NHR) and the development of the gay community. Lastly, Fonfa describes Women United of Nevada (WUN) and the organization's decision to change their mission statement.
African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project event roundtable conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this panel event, Jean Childs, Joe Neal, Jackie Brantley, LaVerne Ligon, and Ramon Savoy discuss their early lives and explain how they arrived to Las Vegas, Nevada. Childs talks about her father’s business, the Penguin Club, and the history of African Americans in the gaming industry. She talks about her involvement with the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) and the Head Sstart federal program. Savoy remembers the foundation of Las Vegas Sentinel-Voice and the challenges of distributing weekly publications during the late 1950s. Neal recalls his first political campaign, being a chairman for the EOB, and becoming a Nevada State Senator. Later, Brantley describes the 1971 consent decree, discrimination against African American workers in the gaming industry, and her career in hotel management. Ligon remembers her career as a dancer, being a part of an all-African American dance line, and integration in the entertainment industry.
Oral history interview with "Tommy" conducted by Dennis McBride on April 28, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Thompson discusses his life as a gay man, his parents’ acceptance despite being heavily religious, and writing poems for the Las Vegas Bugle for many years.
Oral history interview with Kirk Silvernail conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 22, 2025 for the UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shootings project. In this interview, Assistant Professor-in-Residence, Lee Business School Kirk Silvernail, recalls the events of the day and about other traumas he experienced leading up to December 6, including the unexpected death of his mother in May 2023 as she sought to complete the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. He recalls December 6--his birthday--beginning with a student presentation, and hearing an odd sound when another student opened the door, alerting them to the shooter. He recalls his colleague and friend, Jerry Chang, and speaks of economics professor Daraboth “Bot” Rith, who was shot multiple times. He describes leading students out the back door of the building to the parking lot, seeing police enter Beam Hall, and hearing a volley of gunshots. After a few hours, his wife picked him up, he went home and played catch with his older son, a friend delivered cookies, and the family quietly celebrated his birthday. A few hours after he fell asleep, he awakened with the realization that he and his students were fellow survivors of a mass shooting. In the aftermath of the shooting, he changed some habits, like always carrying his car keys on his person and never teaching in a room that cannot lock and unlock from the inside. He also changed the day he celebrates his birthday. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews
The Voices from the Past: The Las Vegas Springs Preserve Oral History Project consists of nine interviews conducted by Joe Thompson in 2002 with community members, field experts, and politicians involved in the creation of the Springs Preserve, which opened in 2007. Interviewees include Claude and Liz Warren, John Mendoza, Richard Bryan, and others. Digital audio available; no transcripts available.
Oral history interview with Mary Hawkins conducted by Bill Murphy on June 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In her interview Hawkins discusses her reasons for moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and the developmental changes she has seen occur in Las Vegas.