Gwendolyn K. Walker: African American Museum Founder - Driven by a Dream

For over 50 years, Gwendolyn K. Walker has been a driving force in preserving Nevada’s African American history. In this episode, host Erica Vital-Lazare sits down with Gwendolyn, founder of the Walker African American Museum, to explore her lifelong commitment to ensuring that the stories of Black Nevadans are not forgotten. Gwendolyn shares her inspiring journey, from collecting photographs and historical artifacts as a young girl to establishing her museum in the heart of Las Vegas’ historic West Side. Tuning in, you’ll learn how her passion was sparked by the lack of representation in school libraries and how she overcame numerous challenges, including personal loss and community setbacks, to keep the museum going. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of African Americans in Nevada’s sports and entertainment industries and Gwendolyn’s vision for a larger museum that continues to honor the past. Tune in to hear Gwendolyn's story and discover how one woman’s dream became a cornerstone of cultural preservation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Gwendolyn reflects on her lifelong passion for collecting African American history.
• How a childhood book report sparked her interest in Black pioneers and leaders.
• The significance of her mother’s support in fueling Gwendolyn’s thirst for knowledge.
• Gwendolyn’s journey from running businesses to founding a museum in Las Vegas.
• Challenges she faced while searching for the perfect location for her museum.
• The importance of Las Vegas’ West Side in Nevada’s African American history.
• Gwendolyn’s dedication to teaching children about Black history through her collection.
• How she preserved entertainment memorabilia from notable Black figures like Eartha Kitt.
• The role her museum has played in educating college students and local residents.
• Personal experiences and setbacks that have shaped Gwendolyn’s preservation efforts.
• Her ongoing work archiving Nevada’s Black sports figures and their contributions.
• Gwendolyn’s plans for incorporating technology and digitizing the museum’s collection.
• Her hopes for expanding the museum and her vision for its future.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Gwendolyn K. Walker
The Walker African-American Museum & Research Center
George Washington Carver

Erica Vital-Lazare

Su Kim Chung

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

Send us a text

Support the show