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Proceedings from the Champions of Freedom dinner and gala event.

Proceedings from the Champions of Freedom dinner and gala event.

Oral history conversation with Rose Hamilton, Carolyn Haywood, Marilyn Armstrong, Hannah Johnson, Bobbie Gilmore and Delores (Dodi) Johnson. The group shares memories of how they and their families came to live in Las Vegas during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Ruby shares highlights of her life and career path such as working with Hazel Gay, and working as the first fulltime black employee at Sears, and at Palm Mortuary. She provides details of breaking the color barrier on the Strip in 1960s.

Sonny operates the Thomas & Jones Funeral Home. He recalls the funeral industry and his first jobs in casino kitchens from 1960 - 1980s.

Daughter of Dr. James McMillan, first black dentist in Las Vegas and a former NAACP president, recalls moving to Las Vegas from Detroit, learning about segregation here. She mentions list of outstanding female mentors and community leaders, and much more.

Melvin Sanders talks about growing up on the Westside as the son of a pastor/auto detailing business owner. He recalls tensions and the joy of his upbringing during the 1960s. He tells a story about working for State Gaming Board at age 16, going to college on a football scholarship, and an encounter with Sonny Liston. Sanders and his brothers inherited his father's auto detailing business.