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Leslee Thomas oral history interview

Identifier
OH-03350
Abstract

Oral history interview with Leslee Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas is the granddaughter of Larry Wilburn and daughter of Terry Wilburn, owners of Larry's Sight & Sound, a business institution in the Westside. The business, first located at 1318 D Street, was initially called Larry's Music Bar. The Music Bar moved to Owens Avenue and was renamed Larry's Sight & Sound. For 35 years until 1992, the music shop drew in stars and locals for its vinyl records, record players, and casssettes. In the interview, Thomas shares how she learned to work in the business, stay connected to family, and be a contributing member of the community. She describes her dreams for the Westside, which include giving tourists reasons to visit the Black community, capital investments, and marketing. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Mary C. Hurtado oral history interview

Identifier
OH-00915
Abstract

Oral history interview with Mary C. Hurtado conducted by Angie DeLong and Sophie Romani on May 27, 2008 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Hurtado opens her interview by recalling her third grade year at the Arden School in Blue Diamond, Nevada. Hurtado describes her favorite teacher, Ruby Danny. She then describes other teachers at the school, her childhood in the 1920s in Blue Diamond, and community events such as gift giving during the Christmas season. She discusses how it was necessary for residents of Blue Diamond to visit Las Vegas, Nevada for supplies and healthcare. The interviewers and Hurtado then describe their favorite Blue Diamond residents. Lastly, Hurtado talks about the importance that all family members pitch in to survive in a rural area like Blue Diamond during the 1930s.

Archival Collection

Stephen S. Jones and Bart Jones oral history interview

Identifier
OH-02896
Abstract

Oral history interview with Stephen S. Jones and Bart Jones conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on November 07, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bart and Stephen discuss growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and attending John S. Park Elementary School. They talk about hunting in the desert and accompanying their grandfather to the Ranch Market in the Westside. Stephen describes how Audie Coker mentored him in construction, why he named his company Merlin Construction, and how he enticed his brother to join him. Bart recalls owning and operating a macadamia ranch in Hawaii for ten years before returning to Las Vegas to join Stephen in the construction business. Lastly, the two describe some of the houses they have built for their clients.

Archival Collection

Norma de la Cerna Tolbert oral history interview

Identifier
OH-02886
Abstract

Oral history interview with Norma de la Cerna Tolbert conducted by Claytee D. White on June 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Tolbert discusess her career as a professional dancer from the age of fifteen. She begins by describing her early childhood in Houston, Texas, moving to Chicago, Illinois where she began to study dance, and leaving home at fifteen years old to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey to dance in professional productions. Tolbert then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, performing at the Moulin Rouge, and living in the Berkley Square community where they built new housing for the dancers. She also discusses performing at the Dunes Hotel and Casino, the African American community of Las Vegas, and the closing of the Moulin Rouge.

Archival Collection

Lee White oral history interview

Identifier
OH-03778
Abstract

Oral history interview with Lee White conducted by Claytee D. White on May 18, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Lee White played professional football for the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and San Diego Chargers. A promising career as a first round draft pick resulted in an injury in his first professional game. He retired from football at the age of 28 and moved back to Las Vegas where he had grown up on the Westside. Lee entered the hotel and casino industry as a dealer, retiring twenty-five years later as a Vice President of Casino Operations. His career in the tourism industry included work at the Sands, MGM, Desert Inn, and the Tropicana.

Subjects discussed include: Westside School, Weber State College, and the Sahara Hotel and Casino

Archival Collection

Virginia Mendoza oral history interview

Identifier
OH-03533
Abstract

Oral history interview with Virginia Mendoza conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo on December 6, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada oral history project. In this interview, Mendoza recalls her childhood and early years in Michoacán, Mexico. She shares the story of her immigration to the United States, detailing the harsh conditions she and her daughter encountered crossing the board at Tijuana, Mexico. Mendoza shares what it was like to live in California before she traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to reunite with her husband in 1989. In 1990, she joined the hospitality industry and began working for Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino and recalls her experiences working in Las Vegas. She details why she joined the Culinary Workers Union Local #226 and the importance of her job as an organizer, particularly as a bilingual individual.

Archival Collection

Cassius Smith oral history interview

Identifier
OH-03819
Abstract

Oral history interview with Cassius Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on November 16, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.

Cassius talks about his childhood and early interest in fashion design. He describes his chance encounter with a FUBU employee on a train in New York that opened the door to a ten year career with the hip hop clothing line and other clothing designers. Cassius talks about his decision to move to Las Vegas after attending the MAGIC Fashion Trade Show, and how he settled in the city just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares what life has been like since the move and his current entrepreneurial pursuits, including designing a new clothing line with his nephew.

Archival Collection