Share Your Thoughts On The Proposed African American Museum
And Cultural Center
The Historic Westside community is invited to attend upcoming open house sessions to share thoughts and feedback on ideas for the proposed African American Museum and Cultural Arts Center. Planning for the museum kicked off in 2020 and has recently moved into the master planning phase.
Three separate workshops will take place:
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African American Museum and Cultural Center Open House Workshops
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DATE
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TIME
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LOCATION
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Friday, June 16
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12-3 p.m.
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Nevada Partners, 690 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas
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Friday, June 23
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5-8 p.m.
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Nevada Partners, 690 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas
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Friday, June 30
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12-3 p.m.
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Nevada Partners, 690 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas
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The workshops are all the same and will all be open house. Attendees do not need to stay for the entire three hours but are invited to drop in and have conversations about:
- The proposed concepts for the museum and a venue for Black cultural expression;
- How history and experiences have shaped the African American community in Las Vegas; and
- Individual personal stories about Las Vegas (or Nevada), including an opportunity to have your legacy submitted in the National Archives at the Library of Congress through StoryCorps.
For more information on the workshops, please contact city of Las Vegas Deputy Director of Cultural Affairs Maggie Plaster at mplaster@lasvegasnevada.gov.
Food Distribution from the Historic Westside Urban Farms Underway
Greens are officially growing at the Historic Westside Urban Farms. Initial harvests have started and the city is learning the ropes of the new container growing operations (and working through a few technical difficulties too!). Here’s how things are going so far:
- At the first Urban Farms harvest May 10, the city harvested 25 pounds of Bok Choi, Green Beans, Arugula and Collard Greens. That produce was distributed to seniors at Doolittle Senior Center, along with some recipes and conversations about different ways to prepare the fresh produce that was distributed.
- At the second harvest May 23, the city harvested 60 pounds of Bok Choi, Arugula, Nevada Lettuce, Collard Greens and Green Beans. That produce was distributed to seniors at Vintage Desert Rose Senior Center, also with recipes and conversations.
- The next harvest is anticipated for this week with food to be distributed to seniors at Marion D. Bennett Senior Plaza. The same harvest, in quantity and type of produce, is expected.
Because the city is still testing the systems and does not have certainty on harvest dates and amounts until a few cycles of growing have taken place, the food grown is being distributed solely to senior centers in the Historic Westside for the time being. This is anticipated to be the distribution strategy for at least through the summer, and that by fall the city will have a better handle on a more community-wide approach to distribution. The city is hoping to have some community distribution and tasting events to announce soon!
For more information on the Historic Westside Urban Farms and food distribution, please contact Hallema Bailey-West at 702-229-3401.
More news about the Historic Westside Urban Farms can be found here:
Obodo Collective Opens to the Community, Celebrates Earth Day in the Historic Westside
The Obodo Collective – a Las Vegas nonprofit organization focused on bringing structural, ongoing support to the Historic Westside community – officially opened its new community garden in the Historic Westside on Earth Day. The farm will provide yet another opportunity for the local community to shop for healthy food options, and also will serve as a community gathering and event space.
The Obodo Collective Community Garden is located at 1300 C St., between Owens Avenue and Washington Avenue, on the Obodo Collective’s half-acre property. The nonprofit offers assistance for food insecurity as well as housing and childcare for the Historic Westside neighborhood. Growing in the farm are tomatoes, bell peppers, bok choy, arugula, basil, carrots and several other types of fresh produce. The plants will be harvested and sold out of the small building that sits on the property — soon to become a grocery store.
Along with celebrating the new farm, a mural honoring civil rights activist and community leader Ruby Duncan was revealed. Duncan was a pioneer in grassroots activism, someone who pushed programs that balanced injustices in areas like food access and housing. Lead artist Malachi Williams created the mural, along with Dyron Boyd and Courtney Haywood. It depicts the faces of Duncan and a Native American woman with an abundance of fruits and vegetables at its center.
More news about the Obodo Collective and their Earth Day celebration can be found here:
Historic Westside Legacy Park Welcomes New Honorees
Saturday, June 3, 14 new honorees were inducted into the Historic Westside Legacy Park by Ward 5 Councilman Cedric Crear and Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy II. The following leaders were inducted:
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Aaron Williams, the first African American to be elected to the Clark County Commission in 1972.
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Alice Key, former executive director of the local NAACP.
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Omiyale Jube, an educator and administrator in the Clark County School District for more than 30 years.
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Claude Perkins, the first African American school superintendent in Nevada, overseeing the desegregation of the Clark County School District.
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Lavonne Lewis, a 50-year resident of Las Vegas, director of Business for The Salvation Army-Clark County and former vice president of Human Resources for EG&G, Inc.
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Franklyn G. Verley III, who developed "Like It Is Radio," which provided him an opportunity to speak truth to the community and create supportive events, such as Kemet in the Desert, Men Who Cook and Emancipation Circle.
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Hannah M. Brown, the first African American and female station location manager for Western Airlines and Delta Airlines, and former president of the Urban Chamber of Commerce.
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Jackie Brantley, native Las Vegan who pioneered the way for professional African American women in Las Vegas, working in publicity and promotions at the Desert Inn.
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Lucille Bryant, a pillar of the Zion Methodist Church, serving in multiple ministries, as president of the Senior Usher Board for 41 years and instructor and director of the children's choir for 20 years.
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Mary Wesley, who served in the welfare rights movement locally and engaged in the statewide lobbying effort for increased benefits for women and children.
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Reverend Dr. Sylvester S. Roger, who worked for the Clark County School District as a Human Relations counselor for 16 years, as well as a pastor/counselor with the Metropolitan Police Gang Force and Safe Village for gang victims.
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Robert Fortson, master carpenter and educator whose company, R.L. Fortson Construction, was responsible for constructing many homes, buildings, and churches in the Historic Westside.
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Sam Smith, fire inspector and deputy fire marshal for Clark County Fire Department, was instrumental in the recruitment of many Westside residents to the Las Vegas Fire Department.
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Sammie "Sam" Armstrong, was the first person of color hired at Pepsi-Cola Company as a lineman and was then promoted to water treatment specialist. Later he partnered with Douglas Ray McCain and founded Ray & Ross Transport, Inc., which grew to become the largest black-owned business in Nevada.
The community submitted nominees and a panel of community volunteers selected the honorees. Legacy Park is a tribute to the many trailblazers who have led the community through the years. The park incorporates unique elements, such as a timeline of the Historic Westside and an interpretive walking trail. It also includes public artwork and stories of the Westside, along with trees, landscaping and a playground.
For more information on the park and the honorees, visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov/LegacyPark.
More news about the Historic Westside Legacy Park and new inductees can be found here:
Community Gets First Glimpse of SHAREDowntown@Westside Project
In early 2024, construction will begin on the first significant development to occur in the Historic Westside in decades. The project is known as SHAREDowntown@Westside, and will feature 102 workforce housing units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space. It will be located at the corner of D Street and Jefferson Avenue, adjacent to the Historic Westside School Campus. April 17, the project’s developer Sam Cherry, of Cherry Development, presented renderings and conceptual images of the project to the community, answering questions and taking input on how to ensure the project integrates with the neighborhood.
More news about the SHAREDowntown@Westside project can be found here:
West Side Oasis Now Open for Lunch in the Historic Westside
The West Side Oasis – a Black-owned bar and restaurant located on the edge of Las Vegas' Historic Westside – is now open for lunch. The Oasis, which opened its doors in February 2021 at 808 Lake Mead Blvd., has primarily been an evening destination until now. The Oasis’ lunch and dinner menu is led by Chef Michael Labastida's from Strip Michelin star restaurants like Michael Mina in the Bellagio, Delmonico in the Venetian, and Scotch 80 Prime in the Palms.
The West Side Oasis offers a diverse menu, catering and events, including live music and dancing. More information can be found here.
Mario’s Westside Market Expansion Underway
Construction on the expansion of Mario’s Westside Market is underway! Mario’s is a locally owned grocery market that has been located on the corner of West Lake Mead and North Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards since 1997 – one of the only local markets serving the Historic Westside community. Owner Mario Berlanga acquired the building adjacent to his – an old CVS pharmacy – and is in the process of adding 6,000 square feet more of sales floor space, including a bakery and more produce options at affordable prices. The expansion is anticipated to create 10 to 15 more jobs and is expected to open in October 2023.
More news about Mario’s expansion and renovation can be found here:
Cox Innovation Lab/Strong Future Technology Training Center Brings Virtual and Technical Training to the Historic Westside
The Strong Future Technology Training Center at the Historic Westside School campus opens the door for opportunities, engaging youth and young adults ages 16-24 to gain skills in technology to prepare them for in-demand tech careers. Through work-based training, youth participants are able to get certificates or stackable credentials in many technology areas with job placement assistance.
Participants can earn certification and/or credentials in areas such as:
- Coding
- App Development
- Esports, Streaming, and Virtual Reality Gaming
- Video, Music, Game and Event Production
- Photography and Graphic Design
- Cybersecurity
- Drone Certification
- English as a second Language, Health, Safety and Environment and Community Healthcare Worker Classes in partnership with the College of Southern Nevada.
The facility also hosts a variety of in-person and livestreamed programs and events for all ages, including:
- Computer Basics for Seniors
- Smartphone and Tablet Workshops
- FAFSA, Resume Building and Interview Skill Workshops
- Esports Competitions
- Computer Building Workshops
- Career Exploration Events
- Robotics Building and Competition Events
- Back-to-School and Mental Health and Wellness Fairs
For more information, you can call the city of Las Vegas at 702-229-2072 or visit the Center’s information online here.
More news about how the center is working to close the digital divide can be found here:
New Renderings Released for New West Las Vegas Library
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District recently released new renderings for the West Las Vegas Library, to be located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Vegas Drive. The new building will replace the old library and will be a new 40,430-square-foot, two-story building.
More news about the new Historic Westside Library can be found here:
Historic Westside Mural Dedication – WE, WESTSIDE
A new Historic Westside mural entitled "WE, WESTSIDE" by artist Iandry Randriamandroso was completed June 2 and is located on the Neighborhood Services of Southern Nevada building at 500 Jefferson Ave. on the exterior wall facing E Street. The mural was funded by the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE.
Randriamandroso is a community artist, muralist, graphic artist and educator. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from St. John’s University and an master's degree in Community Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His goal is to create art that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. Iandry specializes in visual and mixed media art-making that focuses on environmental and social subjects, and uses artworks as educational tools to facilitate inclusive and hands-on presentations, community arts workshops, art classes, and mural projects in public and private venues.
Historic Westside’s HUNDRED Plan in Action Moving Forward
The city’s focus on implementing the HUNDRED Plan for the Historic Westside continues, and – as this newsletter demonstrates – there are so many exciting initiatives underway. Recent coverage has highlighted the implementation of the HUNDRED Plan and the ongoing commitment to ensure the community’s vision is realized.
Recent media about the implementation of the HUNDRED Plan can be found here:
Historic Westsiders Recall Harry Belafonte’s Visits Upon His Passing
Entertainer Harry Belafonte passed away in April 2023 at the age of 96. Over the years, Belafonte performed at several Las Vegas venues including the Riviera and Caesars Palace. Due to segregation at the time, Belafonte wasn't allowed to stay at some of the hotels he performed at. When he came to Las Vegas, he was one of several Black performers who stayed at the Harrison House in the Historic Westside.
More news about the death of Harry Belafonte, and his visits to the Historic Westside, can be found here:
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