HISTORIC BLACK VEGAS: Opportunity on the Westside, then and now

BY CLAYTEE D. WHITE

A few days ago, I interviewed Congressman Steven Horsford, who mentioned the Culinary Academy on Lake Mead, located on the Nevada Partners campus. Today, I opened a box of old newspapers looking for a topic for this month’s article, and on the cover of the Las Vegas Sentinel Voice, dated September 2, 2004, was Horsford, then CEO of Nevada Partners. The previous Thursday, the Culinary Training Academy had been dedicated. 

For more than two decades, this has been a place where people can receive training in a variety of fields connected to our tourism industry. Horsford has a bit of gray in his hair now, but in that cover photo, he looks like he’s about 25 years old. 

During my recent interview, I complained to him that not enough job-training opportunities are being utilized by members of the Black community. I wanted to know what I could do to help change those numbers. His answer was simple: “Knock on doors.” 

I thought, It’s 100-plus degrees outside! 

But since that conversation, I’ve kept thinking about what it really means to knock on doors. I want my neighborhood to spiral upward — to enjoy full employment, become prosperous, look beautiful, and be a place that people from all over the valley want to visit. I want them to shop for unique items, enjoy unparalleled entertainment, eat the best soul food on the planet, attend church services, and then return to their homes throughout the valley. 

Currently under construction, next door to Nevada Partners, is a mixed-use microbusiness park, the result of the creativity and vision of Commissioner William McCurdy. The development is designed to foster entrepreneurship and create opportunities for workforce development. The park will also include housing units. 

Sam Cherry’s shareWestside, opening soon, will promote microbusiness development while providing four floors of housing. 

Across the street is the Westside campus of the College of Southern Nevada, connected to the technology training center operated by the City of Las Vegas. The Historic Westside Education and Training Center will provide credentialed job-training programs in advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, and construction trades. 

These programs are focused on high-demand, high-wage industries and are designed to give participants direct pathways into careers while aligning with college degree programs. 

Historically, before the Culinary Academy and the Economic Opportunity Board provided training opportunities, there were several dealers’ schools in the community. One was operated by Q.B. Bush. Economic empowerment programs were provided by Bob Bailey and Ernest Fountain, while Operation Life offered job-training opportunities. 

Now, we are seeing a new beginning — training for the jobs of tomorrow at Nevada Partners, the Culinary Academy, the Microbusiness Park, and the entire campus hub that invites students of all ages into the Jefferson/D Street corridor. 

Innovative classes, workforce training, entrepreneurship opportunities, housing, and ample free parking are coming together in one area, creating a powerful opportunity for the Historic Westside. 

But what other opportunities existed in the Westside in the early days? Tell me about them, lest we forget. 

What do you want to be trained to do a year from now — or maybe two years from now? 

Picture yourself waking up excited about your day. Imagine getting dressed and heading to the perfect job — one that suits your passion, fills your bank account, and gives you the freedom you desire. 

Imagine having enough financial security to share, save, support local artists, tithe to your spiritual community, travel, raise a family, and simply live the good life. 

The opportunities are here. Now it is up to us to walk through the doors. 

Visit the five locations listed in this piece and complete the application that could change your life. 

And please, don’t make me knock on your door!