Author: Illiana Banuelos

Dr. James B. McMillan moved to Las Vegas in 1955. He was the first African-American dentist in Nevada and the first to introduce and perform dental implants. Dr. McMillan is well-known for his time as president of the local branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which gave him statewide recognition for the successful quest to desegregate the town. Most notably, he’s remembered for successfully fighting for the integration of public accommodations in the city and on the Las Vegas Strip. It was his passion for equal rights and his mental toughness that allowed the…

The Rev. Jesse D. Scott moved to Las Vegas in 1970, where he was a prominent civil rights advocate in the Southern Nevadan community. Mr. Scott helped improve minority underachievement in public schools and minority hiring at Strip hotels. His work in calming racial tension was seen in many areas in the community including his time on the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. He was also the associate minister at Second Baptist Church in the historic West Las Vegas. Jesse D. Scott Elementary School opened in…

The Coronado High School Junior Varsity (JV) Cougarettes dance team won big at this year’s National Dance Alliance (NDA). The team took part in the national competition and came home with a national title for their first-place routine in the JV pom division. Last year the team competed at the same event and placed in the top 3 in one division, and this year they finished top three in two divisions. “The team worked countless hours and has given true dedication to not only making this a crazy fun routine but an amazing season that’s become one for the books,”…

H.P. Fitzgerald moved to Nevada from Virginia in the 1940s. He was the first African-American principal in Nevada in 1956 at Kit Carson Elementary School, currently known as Helen Toland International Academy. He also served as principal of Jo Mackey Elementary School from 1961 to 1972. He worked for the District for 25 years. Mr. Fitzgerald was the first African-American to earn a master’s degree at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was also the first African-American in Nevada to earn a vocational education certificate and be issued a general building contractor’s license. He worked with several community organizations including United…

Hannah Marie Brown has lived in Las Vegas since 1945. She’s dedicated much of her life to giving back to her community and providing assistance and encouragement in education. Since 1999, Ms. Brown has raised nearly $400,000 in scholarship funds for local high school and college students to continue their education. Hundreds of Clark County School District (CCSD) students have also received scholarship assistance through the Hannah Brown Community Development Corporation. She has served on various advisory committees for CCSD and was inducted as a member of the CCSD Excellence in Education Hall of Fame. She continues to advocate for…

Odis “Tyrone” Thompson committed his life to the education and empowerment of Nevada’s children. He was born in Las Vegas and was a graduate of Valley High School. He was deeply involved in his community and worked on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system as a court-appointed special advocate for more than 17 years. Mr. Thompson served on the Nevada Assembly from 2013 to 2019, where he worked to improve educational opportunities for all students. He was chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. He was dedicated to homeless youth, preventing employment discrimination against those with…

Mrs. Helen Aileen Anderson-Toland was the first African-American female principal hired in the Clark County School District, and assigned in 1965 to lead the Kit Carson Elementary School, in an area commonly known as the Westside. Mrs. Toland had the vision as principal at Kit Carson to instill the love of literacy through the creative strengths of first-hand, real-life situations. After leaving Kit Carson, she accepted a leadership position at the Robert E. Lake Elementary School, when schools began busing the 6th grade centers during the transition of student integration. She’s famously known for her community yard sales to send…

Dr. Claude G. Perkins was the first African-American to serve as Superintendent of the Clark County School District (CCSD) from 1978 to 1981. He has a long and distinguished career in teaching, program development, and educational leadership. Dr. Perkins was with the District for 12 years and served closely with previous CCSD Superintendents and Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn. During his time as superintendent, Dr. Perkins worked to improve the teacher to pupil ratio, school library access, and restructuring graduation requirements. For over 20 years, Dr. Perkins has served as a superintendent, a deputy superintendent, as well as an assistant superintendent…

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights. ​ King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, helped organize nonviolent protests, and also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history. On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating…

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is accepting enrollment requests for Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs for the 2025–2026 school year. The District offers more than 12,000 free Pre-K seats in over 600 Early Childhood programs. CCSD families need to complete the Pre-K Interest Form to have their student placed on the interest and/or waitlist.  All students must meet the following requirements to be considered for Pre-K programs: Student must be three years old before August 1, 2025. Student cannot be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment. Parent/guardian must transport student to and from school. Most CCSD Pre-K programs are half-day, with a limited…