Remembering Juanita Walker

Juanita Walker inspired everyone around her to be their freest, best, most expressive selves. 

Originally from Delhi, Louisiana, she moved to Las Vegas in 1962 with her then-husband, Willie Lee Walker Sr., and raised three children: Michael, Willie Jr., and Gwendolyn. Following her lifelong dream, Juanita earned her LPN from Sunrise Hospital in 1964, serving as class president and becoming the first Black president of the Mental Health Auxiliary. 

A true trailblazer, Juanita and her daughter Gwen opened one of the first Black-owned retail gift shops at McCarran International Airport in 1985. Their entrepreneurial spirit led to many ventures, culminating in co-founding the Walker African American Museum and Research Center in 1996 — a lasting cornerstone for celebrating Black history in Las Vegas. 

Juanita Walker’s warmth, creativity, and progressive vision will be deeply missed, but her legacy continues to inspire