Author: Kyle W

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…

Ruby Duncan moved to Clark County in 1952. She quickly became aware of the need for services to assist women and children facing poverty. Her advocacy and dedication led her to establish the Operation Life Community Development Corporation in 1972, one of the nation’s most effective anti-povery programs at the time, and was the first federally funded community development corporation in America that was organized, controlled, and operated by low-income women. Ms. Duncan is credited for leading the fight for Nevada’s underfed children. Within three years of her efforts to raise awareness of this issue, Nevada implemented the Women and…

Dr. William H. “Bob” Bailey was known as the first African-American TV personality in Nevada. He’s celebrated by many as a civil rights leader and advocate for equal employment, business development and education. He and his wife moved to Las Vegas in 1955, co-producing the opening show of the city’s first integrated hotel and casino, the Moulin Rouge. Dr. Bailey owned and operated many businesses in Historic West Las Vegas. Bailey Middle School opened in Fall 2005 and was officially dedicated in Spring 2006.

Throughout the month of February, the Clark County School District (CCSD) will celebrate and share the stories of the district’s African-American namesakes. Follow along on CCSD’s official social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click the names below to read their stories: Dr. William H. “Bob” Bailey (MS) Ruby Duncan Theron H. and Naomi D. Goynes Joseph M. Neal Dr. Beverly S. Mathis Addeliar D Guy, III  Mabel Hoggard Kermit Booker John. C. Bass Carolyn S. Reedom Clyde C. Cox Eva G. Simmons Claude and Stella Parson Shirley Barber Charles I. West Martin Luther King, Jr Dr. Claude G. Perkins…