Dr. Charles I. West came to Southern Nevada in 1954 and is well-known as the first African-American physician and surgeon licensed to practice in Nevada. He also served as Rancho High School’s team physician for ten years.
Dr. West’s contributions to Las Vegas go beyond the medical field as he was a prominent civil rights activist working alongside other notable activists in the city including Dr. James McMillan and William H. “Bob” Bailey.
Dr. West founded and published the Las Vegas Voice, the only black newspaper in the state. It served the valley’s African-American community. The paper was later known was the Las Vegas Sentinel-Voice.
West Preparatory Academy at Charles I. West Hall opened in 1989.
