Author: Kyle W

Clyde Carson Cox moved to Las Vegas with his wife and daughter in 1941. He was a leading figure in Las Vegas’ African-American community for 28 years. At an early age, he became interested in the ministry and devoted his life to that work, receiving a Bachelor of Theology degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity Hall College and Seminary in Illinois. In Las Vegas, he was named pastor of the local church, which he first built on F Street. The first service consisted of six members and grew to a congregation of…

Dr. Carolyn S. Reedom began her tenure in the Clark County School District (CCSD) in 1970, serving students and families as a teacher, dean of students, high school assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.  Dr. Reedom was the first female and African-American president of the Nevada Association of School Administrators. She led several initiatives to help secure school funding, receive national recognition and successfully implement school policies. A few of these initiatives include the Rain Forest Biosphere at Vanderburg ES, recognition as the first High Achieving School by the state at Vanderburg ES, introducing the first inclusion program in the…

John C. Bass served students and families for more than 32 years as a teacher, Title I Controller and principal at CCSD. He worked tirelessly with programs and organizations that were youth-oriented as an effective educator and youth advocate. He was especially committed to programs for special needs and at-risk students. Not long after becoming a school district employee, Mr. Bass, along with fellow teachers, designed and implemented the first after-school program for students who lived in West Las Vegas. He taught many students how to play various sports and held annual tournaments, including the “29 Palms Invitational Basketball Tournament”…

It’s National School Counseling Week! This week, we recognize and celebrate school counselors and bring attention to their role. We congratulate Eboni Simpson-Hodge from Legacy High School as the 2023 Nevada School Counselor of the Year from the Nevada School Counselor Association. Simpson-Hodge said the most rewarding aspect of her work as a school counselor is celebrating with her students during school activities, graduation and even life after graduation.  Learn more at https://nvsca.wildapricot.org/Awards-&-Recognition.

Kermit Roosevelt Booker, Sr. moved to Las Vegas with his family in 1955, and was a man dedicated to the community. He spent many years as an educator in Missouri and Kansas before becoming one of the first African-American teachers in Las Vegas at the Clark County School District (CCSD). He taught at Madison Elementary School, now Wendell Williams Elementary School, until illness forced him to retire. He worked with both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Trailblazers. Highland Elementary School was renamed Kermit R. Booker Sr. Empowerment Elementary School in 2007, one of…

In 1946, Mabel Hoggard was on her way to California but stopped off in Las Vegas to visit a family member. That visit later turned into the decision to stay in the city. Later that year, she became the first licensed African-American educator in Nevada. She would continue teaching in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for nearly 25 years before retiring. During her years in Las Vegas, she was a community activist as well as a teacher. She was a member of the National Association of Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), helped organize the Westside Council, a coalition of…

“I can and I will” is the motto that guided the life of the Honorable Addeliar D.Guy III. Judge Guy was distinguished as the first African-American to serve as a District Court Judge in the history of Nevada. He also served as the first African-American Deputy District Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney of Clark County. He believed that education was the “key” and established the Addeliar D. Guy III Law School Scholarship Fund and the “Spirit of Nevada” Art and Essay Contest for middle and high school students. His caring for the community and especially for young people was…

Dr. Beverly S. Mathis has served as an educator in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for more than 16 years. Dr. Mathis promoted the mission and commitments of the Superintendent’s Region so that all students had equal access to participate in and benefit from excellent educational opportunities.   She’s recognized for her work in education locally and nationally by several organizations including the NAACP, the city of Las Vegas, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and the Public Education Foundation (PEF).  Today, she serves as Vice President of Early Learning, Literacy and Family Engagement at the PEF.  Dr. Beverly S. Mathis…

Joseph M. Neal spent his lifetime working to improve education. He moved to Las Vegas in the 1950s after serving in the Air Force. He was the first African-American State Senator in Nevada and served from 1972 to 2004. He was the longest-serving state senator in Nevada history. He chaired the Legislative Human Resources Committee and dealt with issues regarding schools and children throughout the state. Senator Neal worked on the bill that allowed the creation of a funding source for the state library system.  Joseph M. Neal Elementary School opened in 1999.

Theron and Naomi Goynes are longtime leaders in the North Las Vegas community and strong education advocates. In 1964, the Goyneses moved to Las Vegas and began teaching at the Clark County School District (CCSD). Mr. Goynes has also spent twenty years on the North Las Vegas City Council, twelve of them as Mayor Pro Tempore. He is said to be the first elected African-American in Nevada history to head a government body. During his career in Clark County, Mr. Goynes served as a teacher, counselor, adult education coordinator, assistant principal and principal. Mrs. Goynes is known as an inspirational…