Oral history interview with Francisco V. Aguilar conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 19, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Aguilar discusses his early life in Tucson, Arizona. He recalls his educational experience, attending the University of Arizona, and his initial interests in law. Aguilar talks about lobbying the Arizona legislature for a second student regent on the Board of Regents, attending law school, and serving on the Catholic Charities Board, Opportunity 180 Board, and the Nevada Athletic Commission. He describes being nominated for the Bosch Fellowship, and being a founding chairman of the Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Aguilar talks about the importance of prioritizing education in local communities, and his vision for Cristo Rey. Lastly, he shares his thoughts about the Latinx community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Valorie J. Vega conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 19, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Vega discusses her upbringing in Van Nuys, California. She describes her father’s employment with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, her attendance at California State University, Northridge, and majoring in Spanish with a minor in Chicano studies. Vega recalls entering a master’s program for Spanish interpretation, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, and becoming a supervisor for court interpreters. Later, Vega talks about enrolling in law school at the University of Southern California (USC), working as a Clark County deputy attorney, and later becoming a judge. Lastly, Vega discusses her experience being a female Hispanic judge, and her involvement with the Huellas Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Seals conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Seals discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up on the Westside. He recalls attending Madison Elementary School, being involved in church activities, and his initial interests in religious ministry. Seals talks about working in the funeral industry, and starting a church in the mid-1980s. Seals recalls the African American church leaders in the Westside and other community leaders at the time. He describes businesses on Jackson Street and recreational activities he participated in. Later, Seals discusses his mother, Rosie Seals, and her involvement in the Welfare Rights movement, being a founding member of the Clark County Welfare Rights Organization (CCWRO), and starting Operation Life. Lastly, Seals talks about the issue of substance abuse, organized crime, and the lack of financial investment into the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marlena Shaw conducted by Claytee D. White on December 12, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Shaw discusses her early life in New Rochelle, New York and growing up in a musical family. She talks about her initial interest in singing, her career as a jazz singer, and performing with Count Basie in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaw recalls recording her first studio album, and the discrimination she faced as an African American musician. Shaw describes performing at the Sands Hotel and Casino, touring around the world, and working with multiple recording labels. Later, Shaw remembers performing with Sammy Davis Jr. Lastly, Shaw discusses the significance of spirituality in her life, and her first time performing with a symphony orchestra.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lawrence Murray conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2017 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Murray discusses his early life in Altheimer, Arkansas. He talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960, living in the Westside, and his time serving in the military. Murray recalls being a member of the Carpenters Local Union 1780, completing a four-year educational program offered by the Union, and his employment at J.A. Tiberti Construction Company. Later, Murray discusses his religious life, being involved in church activities, and remembers African American spiritual leaders in the Westside. He describes becoming the Pastor for Living World Ministry Church of God in Christ, and his efforts to change Las Vegas cultural stereotypes. Lastly, Murray talks about the significance of the church in the African American community, and the important role that women have in churches.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Cooper conducted by Claytee D. White on March 05, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Cooper discusses his early life in Las Vegas, Nevada and growing up in the Westside. He talks about his educational experiences in Las Vegas, attending the Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), and teaching mathematics. Cooper recalls his employment at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, becoming Vice President of Emerging Markets, and relocating around the United States for work. He remembers moving back to Las Vegas in the mid-2000s, his friendship with civil rights leader Jimmy Gay, and the contributions Gay made for the African American community. Cooper describes Westside businesses, and casinos on Jackson Street. Lastly, Cooper discusses the future of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Billie Rayford conducted by Claytee D. White on May 01, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rayford discusses her early life in Jefferson, Texas. She talks about school integration, living during the Jim Crow laws, and the discrimination she experienced at the time. Rayford remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979, obtaining a teaching position at Rancho High School, and teaching students with special needs. Rayford describes the implementation of empowerment schools in the Clark County School District (CCSD), and her involvement with the dual enrollment program at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) for CCSD high school students. Later, Rayford discusses her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Les Femmes Douze (The Ladies Twelve), 20 Pearls Foundation, and providing civil services for the Westside community. Lastly, Rayford talks about being a charter member of 100 Black Women.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with José Luis Meléndrez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 20, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Meléndrez discusses his family background and early life in Baja California. He talks about his father’s decision to migrate to the United States, and attending Catholic schools in California, Nevada, and Texas as the family moved around the country. Meléndrez recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, enrolling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America affiliated program, Learning for Life. Later, Meléndrez describes attending the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in social work, and becoming executive director for the office of Community Partnerships in the UNLV School of Public Health. Lastly, Meléndrez discusses the future of the Las Vegas Latinx community, and becoming a founding member and chair for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" Rizzo conducted by Stefani Evans on October 18, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rizzo discusses his early life in Massachusetts and initial interest in construction. He remembers moving to Arizona to join Tutor Perini Building Corporation in 1977, the company’s first Las Vegas, Nevada project, and their company’s decision to move to Las Vegas in 1980. Rizzo talks about the company's public image, building CityCenter, and the importance of maintaining professional relationships with all members in a building project. Later, Rizzo recalls the making of the book
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandra Gray conducted by Elsa Lopez and Barbara Tabach on December 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Gray discusses her family history, and describes how her parents are immigrants from Durango, Mexico and moved from East Los Angeles, California to East Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991. After getting her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) she started a behavioral health agency that provided rehabilitative mental health services to children primarily in the foster care system. She went on to earn a master's degree in mental health counseling, a master's in psychology, and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She is the founder of Empower LV, which strives for equitable access to sports and tutoring. Dr. Sandra Gray is also the owner and operator of Innovation Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC.
Archival Collection
