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Transcript of interview with Lubertha Johnson by Larry V. Buckner, February 10, 1978
Interview with Lubertha Johnson conducted by Larry V. Buckner on February 10, 1978. Johnson moved to Las Vegas in the late 1940s from Mississippi and worked as a recreation director, nurse, and director of an anti-poverty progam, serving as a civic leader.
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Duncan, Katherine
Katherine Duncan was born in Ratio, Arkansas. Her parents, who were sharecroppers, and her 11 brothers and sister migrated to Boston in the winter of 1969. She moved to Las Vegas on July 7th, 1977 and started working at the MGM Grand Hotel. She also worked with the Nevada Motion Picture Services, at her own travel agency, and at the Riviera Resort and Casino. She started a black heritage tour of Las Vegas.
Person
Kano, Julie, 1957-
Julie Kano, was born and raised in Ootsu city in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Wanting to experience life outside her town of 600 people, Julie migrated to Los Angeles and enrolled at Cal State Northridge to become a social worker. She did not complete her studies, but she did meet and marry her first husband and gave birth to her son. She arrived in Las Vegas in 2000 and now handles the business end of the restaurant Makino.
Person
Black Entertainers in Las Vegas: 1940 - 1960
Essay by Roosevelt Fitzgerald reflecting on black entertainers during the early days of the Las Vegas Strip, dated 1988.
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Barbara Jean Drew oral history interview
Oral history interview with Barbara Jean Drew conducted by Claytee D. White on May 17, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Barbara Drew is the Dean of the Academy for Ministers, teaches Bible study, and performs other spiritual work at New Jerusalem Worship Center. Drew migrated to Las Vegas from Fortune Fork, Louisiana, just two miles outside the city limits of Tallulah.
This interview covers life in the Black community beginning when Drew arrived in 1961. She spoke about the importance of businesses like the Brown Derby, Hamburger Heaven, and the Town Tavern that hosted jazz on Sunday afternoons with a dance floor that she enjoyed. She discussed her first job running American Linen, a Dry Cleaners owned by Phil Shapiro; Shapiro mentored Drew, teaching her about business operations, purchasing property for her family, bookkeeping, and the importance of having a bank account. She also spoke of a neighborhood where neighbors helped neighbors and opportunities that flourished throughout the Black community. Subjects discussed include: Jackson Ave, Town Tavern, New Jerusalem Worship Center, Kasper Park, Berkley Square, and Phil Shapiro.
Archival Collection
Kano, Julie, 1957-
Julie Kano, was born and raised in Ootsu city in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Wanting to experience life outside her town of 600 people, Julie migrated to Los Angeles and enrolled at Cal State Northridge to become a social worker. She did not complete her studies, but she did meet and marry her first husband and gave birth to her son. She arrived in Las Vegas in 2000 and now handles the business end of the restaurant Makino.
Person
Privott, Daryl, 1964-
Daryl Privott was hired as the facilities manager for the move from Dickerson Library into Lied. He had just completed a move at NASA and was the right person at the perfect time. Working full time at UNLV, he completed his master's and PhD degrees here before moving to Lexington, KY. HIs is a story of perfect timing, love of family, and understanding the value of a two-PhD household. HIs early life is a confluence of rural and urban; wisdom and awakening to an understanding of how the world works, and sharecropping which is a world of its own.
Person
Transcript of interview with Lonnie G. Wright by Claytee D. White, October 23, 2009
Interview with Lonnie G. Wright conducted by Claytee D. White on October 23, 2009. Wright played basketball at UNLV and became a successful local educator and businessman. His grandmother worked as a maid for prominent Las Vegans.
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