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Rodrigo Vazquez oral history interview
Oral history interview with Rodrigo Vazquez conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on May 24, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Rodrigo was raised in a mixed status Mexican family. He was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of three, later becoming a citizen when he was in the 8th grade. Rodrigo is currently a graduate student worker for the Latinx Voices Oral History Project and reflects on what he has learned. He also discusses what the past year of the Coronavirus pandemic has been like for him.
Subjects discussed include: Latinx and Mexican identities, COVID-19 era, and Latinx Voices Project oral historian
Archival Collection
Fred Holland Jr. oral history interview
Oral history interview with Fred Holland Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on April 03, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Holland discusses why his family moved to Boulder City, Nevada in 1931 where his father began working on the construction of the Hoover Dam. He talks about the types of work his father did, the means in which his family survived harsh conditions, what it was like going to school in Boulder City, his enlistment in the United States Air Force during World War II, and his experiences with the Boulder City Gun Club.
Archival Collection
John Edmond oral history interview
Oral history interviews with John Edmond conducted by Claytee D. White on February 19 and 25, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Edmond discusses his family history in Tallulah, Louisiana and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada before Basic Magnesium, Inc. drew many African Americans to the region. He recalls working as a young boy at the local bowling alley and later attending college in Seattle, Washington. After college, Edmond returned to Las Vegas and became the first Black baccarat dealer at the Stardust Hotel working for Frank Rosenthal. He discusses later owning the largest shopping center in the city.
Archival Collection
Michael S. Green oral history interview
Oral history interview with UNLV History Professor Michael S. Green conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 25, 2021 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Subjects discussed include: Teaching at UNLV; life habits; medical observations; and adapting to health protocols.
Archival Collection
James Harris Johnson III oral history interview
Oral history interview with James Harris Johnson III conducted by Claytee D. White on May 6, 2021 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Johnson was born in Las Vegas where his father landed as a result of his Air Force career. His mother's work as a short-time horticulturist at the MGM Mirage led to a scholarship for his higher education at University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
After graduating, Johnson left Las Vegas to advance his career, working as an anchor in Laredo, Texas; Bakersfield, California; and Omaha, Nebraska.
Racism in Omaha was more overt and damaging than in other cities, thus prompting Johnson and his family to move back to Las Vegas and resume the work he loves. To his credit, Johnson has earned three Emmy Awards because of his artistry in anchoring, reporting, editing, shooting, interviewing, producing, and writing. James Johnson presently works as a cameraman/photojournalist for Channel 3 CBS News.
Subjects discussed include: Channel 3; Fox 5; Emmy Awards; Bakersfield; and MGM Scholarship
Archival Collection
Keith Boman oral history interviews
Oral history interviews with Keith Boman conducted by Claytee D. White on June 24, 2019 and July 23, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Bowman discusses his upbringing Boulder City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Boman remembers his career in medicine, and his early interest in the arts. In the second interview, Boman talks about his involvement with the founding of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, working with Don Snyder and with Fred Smith, and serving on the board of the Reynolds Foundation. Lastly, Boman discusses his role with the Super Summer Theatre and the Animal Foundation.
Archival Collection
Dianna and Gerald Davis oral history interview
Oral history interview with Dianna and Gerald Davis conducted by Claytee D. White on May 6, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Gerald Davis was falsely arrested on a Sunday afternoon in October 1969, leading to a three-day riot in the Black Westside community of Las Vegas. The Davis' discuss this event as well as their respective backgrounds and past experiences living in Las Vegas, including the businesses they supported, the places they visited, and their employment history.
Subjects discussed include: 1969 riot; Jackson Ave; Officer Arrington; Westside School; and Charles Wyatt
Archival Collection
Elgin Holbert Jr. oral history interview
Oral history interview with Elgin Holbert Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on April 28, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Elgin Holbert Jr. discusses growing up in the Westside community of Las Vegas, the activities he participated in as a child, community leaders he admired, and his observations of mixed family life (as his father was Black and his mother was white). Elgin also speaks of his work as a Red Cap on the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR), his time at Nevada Power, and his experience dealing cards at various Las Vegas casinos including the Riviera Hotel and Casino (for 15 years), the Tropicana Las Vegas (for 15 years), and the Treasure Island Hotel (for 20 years).
Subjects discussed include: Viola Cunningham; Union Pacific Railroad; Riviera Hotel and Casino; Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel Casino; Treasure Island Hotel; Cotton Bowl; Jimmy Gay; Jefferson Recreational Center; and Eleanor Walker
Archival Collection
Marlin Robison oral history interview
Oral history interview with Marlin Robison conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Robison discusses his upbringing in Cedar City, Utah and in Overton, Nevada. He remembers growing up in poverty, the abusive relationship with his stepfather, and the various jobs he held throughout his youth. Robison talks about moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1950 and working as a counselor with the Juvenile Justice System. Lastly, Marlin discusses the growth of Henderson and the redevelopment of the Water Street District.
Archival Collection
Shirley and Mackie Edmond, Althia Taylor, and Larry McCollum oral history interview
Oral history interview with Shirley and Mackie Edmond, Althia Taylor, and Larry McCollum conducted by Claytee D. White on May 30, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.
Shirley, Althia, Mackie, and Larry discuss their experiences growing up and living in Las Vegas, Nevada including their respective employment histories; Shirley and Althia worked in the postal service for over 30 years, Mackie worked at the Stardust Hotel and Casino, and Larry mentored children as a sports coach for the Clark County School District (CCSD). The narrators talked about businesses that thrived on the Westside and ended their discussion with how COVID-19 has impacted their families and daily lives.
Subjects discussed include: Stardust Hotel and Casino; Parks & Recreation; and Westside businesses
Archival Collection