"Rhythm and Resilience: Black Vegas" explores African American life in Las Vegas from the arrival of its first Black resident through the 1980s, tracing the impacts of segregation and racial barriers while celebrating the creativity, resilience, and achievements that shaped the city’s character.
Beginning with John Howell, the first African American settler, it follows the growth of a downtown Black community and its forced relocation in the early 20th century to what became the Historic Westside.
Despite systemic exclusion, this neighborhood emerged as a vibrant cultural and social hub where residents built businesses, churches, and civic organizations, cultivated music and nightlife that drew world-class performers, and organized for civil rights and equity. By honoring these histories, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the enduring legacy of the African American community and its lasting influence on the identity, spirit, and future of Las Vegas.
The exhibition is curated by Carmen Beals and narrated by Claytee White.
"Rhythm And Resilience: Black Vegas" Exhibition
March 12-August 20, 2026
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed holidays. (Opening reception March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.)
FREE
Civic Center Gallery
525 S. Main St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Parking available at 500 S. Main Street (two-hour validations will be provided)
