Oral history interview with Elizabeth, Leonard, and William Carpi conducted by Claytee D. White on January 14, 2009 for the Heart to Heart Oral History Project. In this interview, Elizabeth and Leonard discuss their upbringings and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954. William, son of Elizabeth and Leonard, recalls his childhood in Las Vegas, performing with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) wind and jazz bands, and his early interest in optometry. Lastly, Leonard and William talk about becoming optometrists, the Las Vegas health care system during the 1960s, and fitting contact lenses for the first time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Reika Sun conducted by Kristel Peralta on June 21, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Reika Sun discusses her childhood in Shanghai, China during the "one-child policy" and her upbringing by nannies while her parents worked. She shares how her family immmigrated to Las Vegas in 2009 to reunite with Reika's aunt and how Reika moved to Kansas to attend an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Kansas State University. Reika also talks about her restaurant employment history after returning to Las Vegas, her membership in the Culinary Workers Union, and Chinese traditions and superstitions she grew up learning.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cynthia Leung conducted by Vanessa Concepcion, Kristel Peralta, and Stefani Evans on June 24, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Cynthia Leung shares her personal history growing up in Palm Desert, California and the story of how her artistic parents met. Cynthia's mother, a brush artist, immigrated alone from Shanghai and Taiwan to the United States where she met her husband and Cynthia's father, a Chinese-American architect. Cynthia talks about her educational pursuits and her move to Las Vegas to become a defense attorney. She discusses her career as a prosecutor before becoming the first Chinese-American women elected as a Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge, and her experiences within the court system witnessing discrimination, mental illness, and the opportunity for diversity in law.
Subjects discussed include: Joy Luck Club (book); Women in Need of Change (WIN) Court; alternative courts; Las Vegas legal community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maila Aganon conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on June 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Maila Aganon discusses her childhood, family upbringing, and immigration to the United States from the Philippines when she was a college student. She shares how her parents moved to Las Vegas first and Maila followed a decade later, investing in real estate and eventually taking up permanent residence. Maila talks about her employment history with Allstate Insurance, Bank of America, AAA, Caesars Entertainment, and finally Aon as a Senior Vice President. She also shares her thoughts on the growth of Las Vegas and the growth of the Asian community and cultural influence within the city.
Subjects discussed include: anti-Asian violence; Filipino grocery stores; Filipino foods; remote work.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cherina Kleven conducted by Cecilia Winchell on June 9, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Cherina Kleven talks about her family and childhood growing up in Taiwan amongst six siblings. She shares her family's history and how they immigrated to Las Vegas while she was a teen, as well as her employment history and how she met her husband. Cherina talks about racial and gender discrimination and the obstacles she has overcome to be the only working female in her family, the only woman firefighter at her station house, and the first female Asian American Assistant Fire Chief in the United States.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Claytee D. White on December 07, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her career as an architect, designing the Resilience Center for those affected by the 1 October shooting, and the city’s response to the shooting. Later, Rineer describes helping the grief-stricken city through architecture, establishing the Leadership Las Vegas program, and organizing blood drives. Lastly, Rineer discusses the changes in Las Vegas after the tragedy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gerome Sapp conducted by Claytee D. White on September 9, 2015 for the Building a Las Vegas Tech Culture Oral History Project. In this interview, former NFL player Gerome Sapp recounts his personal, academic, and business experiences. He first came to Las Vegas, Nevada in September 2012 seeking investment opportunities for his company, Fluencr. A year later, he received the investment and moved to Las Vegas. Eventually, Sapp began working with the 2015 Life is Beautiful festival to document the artists of the Art Motel.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ericka Lopez de Ramos conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderon on December 7, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Nathalie Martinez also participates by asking questions during the interview. In this interview, Lopez de Ramos details her emigration and her new life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in El Salvador, she emigrated to Las Vegas in 2000. While Lopez de Ramos was working in a laundromat, Alicia Elliot (a Culinary Union member) convinced her to join the Union. She became a union organizer and has worked with casino employees in Las Vegas. Lopez de Ramos continues to fight for individuals who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph De Meis conducted by Claytee D. White on January 3, 2020 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Mr. De Meis discusses his numerous years of professional experience in design work, prior to his retirement. Joseph discusses the engineering work he did on Caesars Palace as well his work with other world famous designers and engineers.
Archival Collection