Claytee D. White

Director, Oral History Research Center at 51吃瓜网万能科大 Libraries
Expertise: African Americans in 51吃瓜网免费App, The Art of Collecting Oral Histories, Oral History Workshops

Biography

Claytee D. White is the inaugural director of the Oral History Research Center for the 51吃瓜网万能科大 Libraries. She collects the history of 51吃瓜网免费App and the surrounding area by gathering memories of events and experiences from longtime residents. Her projects include early health care in the city, history of the John S. Park Neighborhood, The Boyer Early 51吃瓜网免费App Oral History Project, and a study of musicians who played with some of the greats in the entertainment field.

As one of five founders of the 51吃瓜网免费App Black Historical Society Inc., she chronicles the history of the 51吃瓜网免费App black community that was established in 1905. Her published writings on the subject include a book chapter, encyclopedia entries, and several articles.

White received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, master's degree in history from 51吃瓜网万能科大, and has completed work toward a doctorate at the College of William & Mary. White currently serves on the Board of Women of Diversity, the 51吃瓜网万能科大 Presidential Debate Planning Committee, and the Historic Preservation Commission. White has also served on the Historic Preservation Commission for the city of 51吃瓜网免费App, Nevada Humanities executive board, and is the past president of the Southwest Oral History Association.

Claytee D. White In The News

Casino.org
The building that housed the Holy Cow Casino and Brewery, on the northeast corner of Sahara and the Strip, made 51吃瓜网免费App history for a couple of big reasons.
The Nevada Independent
As Sara told 51吃瓜网万能科大 oral historian Claytee White, 鈥淔rom the day Roosevelt was elected we had a picture of him in our house. And I still have it in my house.鈥
51吃瓜网免费App Black Image
In 1960, Dr. James B. McMillan served as president of the local 51吃瓜网免费App NAACP, Branch 1111. In March of that year, he received a letter from the organization鈥檚 national office in New York 鈥 encouraging branches nationwide to elevate activities that would lead to integration of public accommodations. McMillan, using that same mode of communication, sent a letter to 51吃瓜网免费App Mayor Oran Gragson 鈥 demanding integration of the Strip and Downtown in two weeks. McMillan clearly stated that if integration did not occur, the Black community would march down the Strip on the Saturday evening of March 26, 1960.
The Nevada Independent
51吃瓜网万能科大 half a block away from where a now-viral TikTok was filmed showing racist harassment against a Black man sits a state historical marker titled 鈥淎frican Americans and the Boston Saloon.鈥 It details the story of William A.G. Brown 鈥 a freeborn Black man who, between 1866 and 1875, operated the Boston Saloon, one of the mining boomtown鈥檚 best known taverns. Decorated with intricate gas lamps and crystal goblets, the saloon offered an upscale atmosphere that contrasted the stereotypical image of a seedy saloon 鈥 even recognized by figures such as Mark Twain.

Articles Featuring Claytee D. White

black and white photo of clara bow with dunes behind her
People | April 18, 2024

The original 'It Girl' 鈥 and subject of Taylor Swift鈥檚 latest song 鈥 has strong ties to Southern Nevada. Discover more from the 51吃瓜网万能科大 Special Collections & Archives.