The collaborative to Document the African American Experience in Las Vegas is in the process of conducting the second series of roundtable discussions. The first panel filmed in this sequence recalled fact and memories about Berkley Square. On November 6, 2013 the conversation was by Brenda William with panelists that included Esther Langston, Agnes Marshall, Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold, and Courtney Mooney. They examined various aspects of this first subdivision in Nevada built by and for African Americans. Architect Paul Williams designed the homes and the Thomas Berkley acted as financier for Berkley Square which is located approximately 1/2 mile from the center downtown.
One week later, Patricia Cunningham, master talk show host, moderated a panel that discussed Las Vegas black media. Craig Knight (GM KCEP), Ramon Savoy (Editor, Sentinel Voice Newspaper), Roosevelt Toston (first news anchorman of color), and Kim Bailey Tureaud (Founder and Editor of Black Image Magazine) provided insights on the history and future of black media in the Westside community and beyond.
In this series, we decided to seek wisdom from our youth. UNLV's Assistant Professor of Comparative Ethnic Studies, Manoucheka, PhD, talked with university students. Reese Harvey, Whitney Petty, and Zach Tomas depicted views of the Millennials in the fields of education, careers, and the future of Las Vegas. Generation Y, as Millennials are also known, shared profound thoughts and valuable lesson with pinpoint focus, especially about the city's educational system.
The fourth conversation occurred between UNLV's African American history professor, Todd Robinson, PhD, and Rev. Judy-Ann Davis Young. Comparing the church of her youth with her current spiritual philosophy, Rev. Young mapped community inspirational change over the years. On November 26th this discussion will expand to include Dr. Robert Fowler, Rev. Ralph E. Williamson, and Bishop James Rogers.
Two additional panels will be scheduled between Thanksgiving and the New Year: Welfare Rights and black business entrepreneurial enterprises. Series II of Community Conversations will be showcased on Vegas PBS's website in the YouTube section early in the New Year.
Claytee D. White, Chair
Collaborative to Document the LV AfAm Experience
