Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada

latinx logo

Preserving and sharing the life stories of Southern Nevada’s Latinx residents are important because these individuals and communities have played a significant role in our region’s history but are underrepresented in our historical record. Today, approximately 29% of Southern Nevada’s residents and more than 25% of UNLV’s student body are Latinx.  Many Latinx residents have greatly influenced the progress of our educational system, multiple business sectors, politics, and cultural life in Southern Nevada. By collecting and preserving these oral histories, the UNLV University Libraries ensures that the perspectives of our region's Latinx residents are reflected in our collections so that present and future generations can learn and study more about their achievements, aspirations, and experiences.

The UNLV Libraries needs your help to make this project a success. In order to release the funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, we need to raise matching funds from the community. Donate now to Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada or call 702-895-2239 to support this project.

Student Oral Historians

Under the direction of Claytee White, the Director of the UNLV Oral History Research Center, and Barbara Tabach, Project Coordinator, UNLV students are collecting oral histories from Latinx residents through May 2020. Students conduct in-depth interviews with a wide array of individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives. The oral histories cover topics such as immigration and settlement, aspirations and challenges, family life, employment and economic issues, religion and culture, gender, neighborhoods and businesses, politics, social and community events, discrimination, activism, and more. Explore the transcribed and edited oral histories online.

Student Oral Historians

Community Events

UNLV University Libraries will host community events to encourage dialogue between Latinx generations about their experiences living and working in Southern Nevada. Each event will feature a panel discussion with the student oral historians and selected interviewees with compelling stories to share. Each event will focus on a theme that has resonated in the interviews, such as working in the tourism industry, ensuring cultural continuity in a new place, or migration stories.

  • The Art of Latinx Identity Event ~ El Arte de la Identidad Latinx: A Cultural Conversation about Art, East Las Vegas Library, March 12, 2020
  • Contando Historias Del Sur De Nevada: A UNLV Research Week And Hispanic Heritage Month Event, Greenspun Hall Auditorium, Oct. 14, 2019
  • Bagels & Business, Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, April 12, 2019

Latinx Voices Podcast

Project Updates

For news about the project, please check out the latest blog entries about the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada. 

Advisory Board

The Latinx Voices Advisory Board is made up of members of the Southern Nevada Latinx community and other supporters who have generously agreed to help guide the Latinx Voices project. Current members include:

  • Bob Coffin, Las Vegas City Councilman, Ward 3
  • Maria Moore, AARP Nevada State Director
  • Lorri Jackson, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
  • Bethany Khan, Director of Communications & Digital Strategy at the Culinary Workers Union Local 226
  • Jose L. Melendrez, Executive Director, Office of Community Partnerships, School of Public Health
  • Leslie Mujica, Executive Director, Las Vegas Power Professionals
  • Magaly Munoz-Mejorado, Senior Manager, MGM Resorts International
  • Margarita Rebollal
  • Linda Rivera
  • Tony Sanchez, Senior Vice President, Government and Community Strategy, NV Energy
  • Tom Wright, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of History, UNLV

Example Oral Histories

Nominate a Narrator

We are seeking suggestions for individuals we should interview. Please complete this form to nominate a narrator and provide us with contact information. 

Related Stories

Sponsors

Founders

National Endowments for the Humanities logo
MGM Resorts International logo
Las Vegas Centennial 1905-2005. "We did it our way!" logo
  • Mark and Marianne Haley

Innovators

NV Energy logo

Investors

  • Bob Coffin
  • Culinary Workers Union Local 226
  • Jennifer A. Lewis
  • Las Vegas Power Professionals
  • Pat Hawthorne
  • Tony & Elaine Sanchez

Sponsor Levels

Investor Sponsorship: $1,000 -$9,999

  • Recognition on the Latinx Voices website and in University-related media.

Innovators Sponsorship: $10,000-$24,999

  • E-blast to our entire donor database, faculty and staff, alumni
  • Recognition in all University-related and local media and on social media
  • Recognition in all literature involving project (brochures, posters, event invites, etc.)

Founders Sponsorship: $25,000+

  • E-blast to our entire donor database, faculty and staff, alumni
  • Recognition in all University-related and local media, including print, radio, social media, and television (ads, interviews, articles, etc)
  • Recognition and representation (people/logo/branding) at all three community events
  • Recognition in all literature involving project (brochures, posters, event invites, etc.)

Contact Us

Oral History Research Center | 702-895-2222 | oralhistory@unlv.edu