Las Vegas Black History

About Yesterday

I always get happy and humbled when I think about some of the extraordinary people I have been blessed to meet.

In honor of and for today's Thursday I'd like to share a picture of myself and Ms. She is the founder of Nevada's First African American museum and one of the first people I met in Las Vegas that was kind enough to stop and share some wisdom and guidance with me when I first began my journey here.

Her and the Mr. (RIP) are also some of the people that inspired me to create the page here on FB.

Celebrating the Pioneers of Black History in Nevada!
Explore the faces and stories behind these remarkable individuals who shaped the narrative of equality and justice in our state. Each photo represents a powerful legacy.

Join us in honoring their contributions and recognizing the indelible mark they left on our history.

1. James B. McMillan, Nevada's first African American dentist. In the 1960s, he challenged racial segregation in Las Vegas, leading to the Moulin Rouge Agreement that transformed the Strip.

2. David B. Meadows, a former pastor, fought for integration in Nevada's casinos. His activism included leading a march on the Capitol and being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1964.

3. Ben Palmer, a 19th-century cattleman, defied racial norms, A trailblazer who voted before the Fifteenth Amendment in the late 1800s.

4. Alice Smith, born in 1902, was a community activist, and NAACP organizer who dedicated her life to advancing civil rights and equality in Nevada. Her efforts shaped the history of racial justice.

5. Bertha Woodard, an influential civil rights activist, led the Reno-Sparks NAACP, fought against discrimination, and witnessed historic legislative milestones in Nevada throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

6. Hattie Canty, after moving to Las Vegas in 1961, Canty became the transformative leader of the Culinary Workers Union and played a crucial role in securing better wages and conditions for Las Vegas hotel workers, leaving an enduring legacy.

7. Charles L. Kellar, one of Nevada's first African American lawyers, drafted civil rights legislation, fought for anti discrimination laws, and led the Las Vegas NAACP in 1967.
8. Woodrow Wilson, the first African American member of the Nevada State Assembly, established the West Side Federal Credit Union in 1951, providing financial opportunities for the community.

9. Alice Marie Key, Born in 1911, a dancer turned activist and journalist, broke barriers, fought for women's rights, and contributed significantly to the preservation of African American history in Las Vegas.

The West Side Oasis in the Historic Westside blends preserving cultural heritage with the spirit of modern innovation.

As we celebrate , let's honor places like this that contribute to our neighborhoods.

Created in 1951, Jet Magazine appealed to the young and old alike and was a critical source for news, information, and entertainment about Black culture. Launched by businessman and publisher John H. Johnson, Jet published articles on news, culture, and entertainment of interest to the African American community. In 2014, the magazine transitioned to an online-only format.

Each issue featured the latest national and international news, along with regular columns covering trends in fashion and beauty, entertainment news, dating advice, political coverage and health tips and guides. During its tenure the magazine chronicled the civil rights movement from its earliest years, including the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott, and the activities of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. ,

📸 Jet Vol. # # No. 5. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elmer J. Whiting, III, © Jet Media Group LLC

Rare photo of Richard Pryor with founder of the Black Panther Party Huey Newton! 💕

Meet the Owner of the First Ever Black-Owned 7-Eleven Store in Las Vegas Johnathan Lacy has made history as the first-ever African American owner of a 7-Eleven franchise in the state of Nevada and in the city of Las Vegas.

Join me alongside Commissioner William McCurdy II and a lineup of special guests, as we celebrate the 2023 inductees who've left a lasting impact on the Historic Westside.

🗓️ Saturday, June 3, from 8:30 to 10 am
📍Historic Westside Legacy Park | 1600 Mount Mariah Drive

Documents Prove That the World’s Oldest Person is a 128-Year Old Black Woman Meet Johanna Mazibuko, who is currently considered to be the world's oldest person at 128-years old. She is a South African who was born in 1894.

May 16, 1990: Sammy Davis, Jr, died in Beverly Hills, California, of complications from throat cancer.

Earlier, when he was told that laryngectomy offered him the best chance of survival, Davis replied he would rather keep his voice than have a part of his throat removed; However, a few weeks prior to his death his entire larynx was removed during surgery.

On May 18, 1990, two days after Davis' death, the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip were darkened for 10 minutes, as a tribute to him.

Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. was an entertainer. Primarily a dancer and singer, he was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities.

Davis was also a member of an iconic group of entertainers called "The Rat Pack". The group also included group Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, and (before falling out with Sinatra in 1962) Peter Lawford.

CAR ACCIDENT:
Davis nearly died in an automobile accident on November 19, 1954, in San Bernardino, California, as he was making a return trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

He lost his left eye to the bullet-shaped horn button (a standard feature in 1954 and 1955 Cadillacs) as a result. His friend, actor Jeff Chandler, said he would give one of his own eyes if it would keep Davis from total blindness.

Davis wore an eye patch for at least 6 months following the accident.

Later, he was fitted for a glass eye, which he wore for the rest of his life.

RACISM:
Davis was the victim of racism throughout his life and was a large financial supporter of civil rights causes. He had a complex relationship with the African-American community and attracted criticism after physically embracing Richard M. Nixon in 1972.

One day on a golf course with Jack Benny, he was asked what his handicap was. "Handicap?" he asked. "Talk about handicap — I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew." This was to become a signature comment, recounted in his autobiography, and in countless articles.

Adams High sends team to Las Vegas for African American History Challenge Part of the National 100 Black Men National Conference in Las Vegas, the competition is June 14 to 17 at Caesar's Palace.

The King of the Blues, B.B. King, died Thursday, May 14, 2015 at his home in Las Vegas after suffering from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. He was 89 years old. King was one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. The 13-time Grammy Award winner played hundreds of live performances a year, spreading the blues across the nation, and the world.

At the airport, 1979. Replicas of the famous signs at Caesars Palace, Dunes, Hacienda, and others went up on private property around the airport parking areas along Paradise Rd in the mid 60s, and remained through the early 80s.

Raiders make NFL history, name first Black woman as team president The Raiders selected Sandra Douglass Morgan, the former chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, to be their new president Thursday. She is the first Black woman to assume such a role in the ...

African American Firefighter Museum Grand Opening The ribbon cutting took places on February 26th, 2022 for the opening of the new African American Firefighter Museum in Reno.

Black History Month event returns to The Springs Preserve in Las Vegas The Springs Preserve's Black History Month celebration is back. The celebration is set to take place Saturday, February 19, from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. at The Springs Preserve. Enjoy live performances, children's activities, cooking demos, cultural art, and a photo exhibit showcasing historic black Las...

Claytee White, the Founder & Director of the Oral History Research Department at UNLV, joins us at for our next to share an in-depth look at Black history in — from the construction of The Hoover Dam to the present day. Join us as this local treasure shares her immense knowledge of this important piece of local history in celebration of 🖤! Details: https://bit.ly/3tHMaI8

Lee Elder, 1st Black Golfer To Play The Masters, Dies At Age 87 Elder broke down racial barriers and paved the way for Tiger Woods and others to follow.

Event Recap

Historic Westside Farming Facility Las Vegas’ Historic Westside is about to become the first neighborhood in the city to have a community-based urban agriculture farming facility.