Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

Unknown Speaker 0:00
You're listening to locally produced programming created in KU NV studios on public radio K, u and v 91.5.

Kevin Krall 0:11
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Unknown Speaker 0:42
You can see what's going on? What's going on? What's going on?

Unknown Speaker 0:56
Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. And we're going to have a nice guest that I've asked to come and be with us today. She'll be with us shortly. I have a few announcements as as usual, I like to start out by saying, you know, this was Mother's days month. Well, Mother's Day was in this month, I should say. And also want to acknowledge and salute the nurses, the teachers were acknowledged this month. So just want to say hey, to all those good folks who do a lot of good work in our community. And again, I want to say Happy Mother's Day, belated Mother's Day now to all the mothers out there and the guys who acted as mothers. And in some cases, we know that we had a number of graduations to occur this month. And I want to acknowledge a few friends if I could. First of all, Madison, Madison metals is a young lady who's graduating from an art school over in California, and going to be pursuing a career in that field. And then her sister Mackenzie is a Georgetown University graduate. And I think she's this is a master's program that she'll be graduating from on the 19th. And then, from the high school perspective, I got a cousin, Alicia, Washington, my cousin cliff, and his wife, this is their daughter and she's going to go to the University of Reno. Doc, she that's funny. We have Dr. Frey. Kramer here for four from the University. And I'm excited that she's here when she gave me a kind of a look at this university of Reno thing. But she's going near I don't know what exactly what she will be studying. But we're pleased that she has taken that on and also have a cousin of my cousin, Tracy Jackson, his daughter, Rebecca is graduating from Lincoln University HBCU. So I don't know what she's pursuing in general. And then he also has two daughters that will be graduating later on this year from Bennett. And I thought Ben it was a woman's only school and my my aunt told me no, they're allowing boys in and now so that's that's a change, a good change, I guess you would say. And then on the condolence side, I attended the services of a dear friend and mentor, Chief Larry Purcell Powell, lair was the first black to become a chief officer in Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. And, in fact, at the time, it was called Las Vegas Fire Department. And he was also the first black to become a chief officer. Without department. I am going to miss that, that that young man, Larry lived a good life had a lot of grandchildren, and great grandchildren and two great graders. I remember from the program that his wife, Pat Ramos, Powell had put together so again, just want to say condolences to that family. And they did an excellent job putting Larry away and Leiria was 84 years old, and was always traveling he and Pat. So they told some great stories to include one that I had to tell about us. And what we were doing in terms of taking on the city of Las Vegas with a EEOC complaint. And we actually did win and all we wanted was a level playing field. And we got that. So with that, good morning once again, and we're going to be coming right back with our first guest Good morning once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. We have our first guest Dr. Frank, where are you from Doc and thanks so much for coming.

Unknown Speaker 4:47
Well, it's my pleasure to be here. Well, I'm from Newark, New Jersey. And after high school I went to school in Tennessee I went to Knoxville College, which was HBCU unfortunate It was one of the HBCUs, who didn't survive, but it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life. And then after that, I met my husband. And then we both went to University of Tennessee for our masters. And then from there, Ohio University and my last office here at UNLV. And I've been here since 1996.

Unknown Speaker 5:22
Okay, so what capacities Did you work in and I know you got a special designation now that you can tell our listening audience a little bit when I

Unknown Speaker 5:31
started here. So interesting story. I'll go back a little bit before here to tell you how I got here. I was hired in 1980. At Ohio University by Dr. Carol harder, some of your listeners may know that name. And that time, Dr. Harder was Vice President for Administration and Dean of Students at Ohio University, and she hired me as Director of Financial Aid. She went on from there to become a president at SUNY Geneseo, and wanted me to come there. And I said, Well, I don't want to go to another small college town, although I loved Ohio University and got my PhD there at my child there. But I said, I know our paths will cross again, not knowing where that might be. And then when she became president here at UNLV, in 1995, she recruited me here in 1996, as Dean of enrollment management. So I started off as dean of Enrollment Management. And then I had enrollment student services, as you know, admissions and financial aid registration. And then a couple of years later, I was promoted to Assistant Vice President for Administration, and had parking, human resources, facilities, and many other things. I think parking was the hardest part. Nobody likes parking or no. And then went on. I was Chief of Staff for three presidents. This is my seventh president, with Dr. Keith Woodfill. And my last, I was then 2008 became vice president for student affairs, and I was vice president of student affairs until 2022. And my final year here is I'm transitioning out to retire on June 30. I'm special liaison to President Keith Whitfield. Excellent,

Unknown Speaker 7:25
excellent. I know that, you know, this is a veterans affairs show, and I know that I've had what's his name? Is it Brian? Ross? Yeah. Ross.

Unknown Speaker 7:34
Ross, Brian Ross,

Unknown Speaker 7:36
Brian, I had him on the show. I'm gonna get him back on because I know that you guys do a fantastic job as it relates to veterans definitely

Unknown Speaker 7:44
was reported to me when I veteran Military and Veterans Affairs Center is a part of Student Affairs. And Ross and I go way, way back we both we kind of bootlegged ROTC, Army and Air Force ROTC. And now he's director of our military and veterans services center. And it's amazing it is I can't say enough about it enough about Ross was celebrating 10 years. With that, and we have so many services for two years in a row. UNLV is in the top 10 most military friendly, oh, really, university across the country out of 1800 institutions are excellent. And we've been in the top 20 For as long as I can remember, we have a very strong veteran student vet program. And of two years, our president of our student vet was named the National Student vet of the year. So

Unknown Speaker 8:48
you guys actually started that program 10 years ago, 10

Unknown Speaker 8:53
years ago. Okay, so the actual center now before that we provided services, but it was 10 years ago, when we actually had a designated office and space specifically for really all military related not just veterans, but veterans and their dependents and other military folks who are just coming out and wanting to go to school. We are so pleased that we now and it's not just UNLV but for all of the Nevada NCCIH institutions that's who come to who retire who after they leave the military services within five years they automatically are considered for residents for tuition purposes and that's a big deal.

Unknown Speaker 9:37
Absolutely. Cuz I got a son it's got a couple of dollars in school net out of state tuition kicks expensive. Yes. So look, what is your current role as the liaison or special as the liaison

Unknown Speaker 9:52
with the president because I've been here so long. I know a lot of people and smart moves so so I help him both internally and externally with community engagement types of activities. One of the projects that I'm really excited about and, and actually may continue to work on a little bit after I retire is our non traditional students. And I think we, you need to provide more services and opportunities for non traditional, which is defined as students over the age of 24. And we have 40% of our student population fit into that category. So that's one of the major projects that that I've been working on. And then other community activities working with different organizations around the around Clark County, during

Unknown Speaker 10:38
your tenure here at the university, what was most rewarding,

Unknown Speaker 10:45
you don't have so many things. But I think, you know, one of my favorite, I guess, the most favorite things, and like a lot of I love you and OB and we'll stay connected. But I think the most favorite thing that I love is commencement. Because to me, that's why we're here. And so to see a students that I may be worked with when they started out as freshmen and to see them walk across the stage at Thomas, is just the most rewarding thing that that I can ever do. And I'll tell a quick story. I'm dating myself, one of our English professors, here hooded, actually a PhD candidate in English. And that professor is now full professor was a student of mine at Ohio University when I was there. So I've been doing this a long time.

Unknown Speaker 11:33
You know, I mentioned that I run a program. I'm the president and CEO of the car homes executive development institute, it's a summer institute at Dillon University. And I can tell you, my daughter, she was attending Southern University in Baton Rouge campus. And she came to one of our first graduates and she just boohoo she said she couldn't leave because it's predominately black. But others come now because we do we put out a good product, we help people to move up through the ranks in the organizations that they that they represent. But that's exciting. Yeah, that it when you're an educator to me, when when cuz I was a training officer with the fire department. And when my when my classes graduated, man, you feel like oh, wait, you feel like oh, man, this is great man. And then to watch some of them achieve other ranks within the within the organization. And you

Unknown Speaker 12:22
don't really sometimes know what an impact you have one on students. And I have students back even before I came to UNLV, that I'll get notes from to tell me how much they appreciate my mentorship. And that's just so rewarding. So I would say that's probably the most rewarding thing.

Unknown Speaker 12:40
Excellent. Any suggestions you might Delve out to any students who may be listening, whether they are veterans, or just students in general? Sure,

Unknown Speaker 12:51
I would say, Take, there's so many resources at UNLV. And I think we do a good job in publicizing all of the resources for veterans, but for all of our students. And I would encourage students though, to, to seek out those resources, take advantage of it. You know, the time that you're in college goes by so quickly. So my advice would be study hard. And of course, your academics have to come first. But also enjoy your time. This is a time when you get to develop yourself, you get to know yourself. And trust me, it goes by very, very quickly. So my advice is, work hard and play hard and have a good time. And

Unknown Speaker 13:32
Absolutely. Any closing remarks just in general?

Unknown Speaker 13:35
Not just I think you know, when you first started earlier, you talked about one of the individuals who would went to you and our and I kind of smoked a little bit. But were great partners with all of the and she institutions. But I would just say, you know, I'm retiring in at the end of June. And it's just been such a rewarding experience for me. UNLV is a wonderful institution. And it's just been my pleasure to be able to serve. Well

Unknown Speaker 14:06
let me say this on behalf of all the citizens in our community, you have done a wonderful job, and always heard positive remarks about your doc. So continue to great work and stay around the community because we need good folks even after they retired to to continue to do good work in our community because Las Vegas is still getting near we got a lot of growth yet in my humble opinion. But we'll get

Unknown Speaker 14:27
there we do. And same to you. You do great things till we weren't I don't know, if you remember, was either 1977 1997 or 80 or 1980. Something like that. No, it was early to now came in 1996 was probably 1998. We both were on channel eight. We got the award it was black history. That wasn't when I first met you.

Unknown Speaker 14:54
All right. Well, we appreciate you and thanks so much for having me. I definitely thought it was a great idea to have you You on when we met the program for that was distinguished Nevada. Yes. A great program. Yeah. So thank you, Doc. Thank

Unknown Speaker 15:06
you. Thank you for all that you're doing and continue to do. All right. Appreciate. Thank you. Again,

Unknown Speaker 15:11
this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. We'll be back shortly. Once again in Las Vegas, good morning. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host I'm excited and appreciate giving her giving me our show another opportunity to hear from her and this, Miss Diane Pollard. I do.

Unknown Speaker 15:37
Thank you so much for having Las Vegas Juneteenth festival on again. Thank you. Absolutely,

Unknown Speaker 15:45
yes, please give us an update on what's going on your guests.

Unknown Speaker 15:50
I just want to say that we are still moving forward with the 22nd annual Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival, the event the experience the journey, we have added our own returning Las Vegas 702 That will be performing live, they are starting their tour up and they came home to Las Vegas to start it. So we're excited. So on Saturday, June the 17th at the ES Expo at the World Market Center at 435, South Grand Central Parkway from four to 9pm. And the cool environment of the facility. We will be having June 10. It's free to the community, it's our way to give back this free community activity that's family orientated. Like I said, we've been doing this for 22 years. We want to say that we got some great vendors that are coming, we've got a great lineup of individuals. And you can go to our website, if you want to see our no all of them that will be there, which is WWE June 19 lb.com. We'll have small vendors there. There'll be learning resources for the community delicious food. And it's our way to give back to the educational community and the children. And you will be meeting some of our scholars that have started at Rainbow, they're graduating, and you'll be able to see them live. Of course, every year we take on more scholars that are going to college or trade school. So we're really excited about the whole

Unknown Speaker 17:58
thing. You know, one thing that you mentioned and trust that the community appreciates that you say is the whole environment is family oriented.

Unknown Speaker 18:08
So that you know there'll be some play area for the children of course, and you know, the parents will have to supervise, supervise them. We have a Father of the Year award. And you can go online and sign up your dad for that and of course, be there. They'll be select. There's a selection committee, a committee that will make the father of the year and there's some prizes associated with that. But I'd want everyone to know that it's a free event. It's going to be inside away from the heat. We'd love for you to participate. So say June, the 17th from four to 9pm for us and remember that we appreciate the community coming out along with all of our sponsors. And this event directly support rainbow dreams Early Learning Academy it's a preschool for threes, fours and we have kindergarten five year olds so excellent. We're we're just excited and like I said we've got some lead sponsors. Rainbow dreams Educational Foundation is our biggest fundraiser so examples will be there the city of Las Vegas and we want to thank Councilman Cedric career and Caesars Entertainment are some of our major sponsors and like I said every dime that is raised from the event. We try to give that back less our expenses to education. Your child and to help a child go to school, whether it's starting at preschool all the way to the university or college.

Unknown Speaker 20:12
We're certainly kudos to all those sponsors, because I know generally you need sponsors to be successful in any category. So give me give us that website as we close out the session.

Unknown Speaker 20:24
That website is www Ju Ju N E, one nine ld.com. So, June 19. LD dot

Unknown Speaker 20:38
Great. Well, we appreciate it sister friend, and I can tell you that is our intent to try and be there and I can tell you that I know I can speak for the rest of the community so enjoyable that you're gonna have indoors. And that's a pretty, pretty nice size. Location.

Unknown Speaker 20:54
It's a fabulous location. We were there last year. You know, hopefully we can. That's our new home.

Unknown Speaker 21:04
Great. Husband the good Doc, I said hello.

Unknown Speaker 21:10
Or your wife. Okay. Thank you. We'll do

Unknown Speaker 21:15
bubba. Again, Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. We have one more calling guests that will be on shortly. Once again, good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. Before I bring in our first guest something that I failed to say earlier, Mike armagard. My son in law's father will be funeral last today in Cape Town, South Africa. So may God rest his soul and bless his soul for Mike Aragon. All right, we got Mr. arky. Hodges, he is the president of the Black achievement fund. And they are hosting a big function. And we just had a Las Vegas discussion with Diane Pollan and we're gonna have one on the national level. Mr. arky, go for it.

Aki 22:11
How you doing brother Washington doing well, always a pleasure. Always a pleasure to speak with you and your audience. We are excited here in Atlanta for our Juneteenth Celebration. I don't know if you know, but Juneteenth is actually our birthday here at the black achievement fun way before it became a national holiday. So it was a big, big, big time for us here. Great. So we have a whole four day weekend plan for June team starting Friday here at our Kemet club and our Atlanta headquarters for the black achievement fund. We have events Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Everything from talent shows to official birthday party. We are marching in the Juneteenth Parade which is nationally televised. And that's happening on Saturday. We have a big big big gala celebration on Father's Day at a black owned estate here in Atlanta, also honoring Dr. Ray Hagen's, one of our board members and spiritual leaders, we have a screening special screening on ko tilde, the very last slave ship here in America and the descent, the story about the descendants behind that really, really, really powerful story. We have games, we have DJs we got drumming, we got all types of stuff, man, all types of stuff. That

Unknown Speaker 23:41
is great. So everything with with respect to the organization still growing.

Aki 23:48
Everything is still still growing. And right now we are really pushing hard to raise $500,000 For our real estate investment fund. Because we want to begin actually investing in real estate in our own communities. Right. You know, we talk so much about gentrification and the negative aspects of gentrification, but we don't ever talk about how we can work collectively to gentrify our own communities and improve them and increase the value of those communities. So that's one of the things that we're working towards now with the black achievement fund. We recently expanded the Kemet club to double size. So when you come back down, you will see we have a pool table now. Ping pong table basketball games. We have a card table in there now so we're just steadily progressing and we're about to roll out a whole new social media campaign so I'm really really excited about that as well.

Unknown Speaker 24:51
Oh, yeah. So someone else was that you were looking to hire someone so you've done all the interviews, etc. for that? Yep,

Aki 24:58
yep, yep. And we hired a couple people, and I'm really excited about who we've hired. And we got some good stuff coming up.

Unknown Speaker 25:06
Are they local live videos? Are they local? Atlanta? Oh,

Aki 25:10
we have someone local. And we also have someone out of New York.

Unknown Speaker 25:15
Oh, great. Okay. All right. So you said you double in size of the chemical? Yes, the chemical. So you went through that? I don't know if there'll be south or west on that wall.

Aki 25:30
So yep, we went west West.

Unknown Speaker 25:32
Okay. Sounds good. Yeah. So is it is that already completed now?

Aki 25:40
It is about, I would say about 75%. Complete. We, we've added the new bathroom, new kitchenette, area dishwasher. We've done all the painting. And now we just have to do the floor. And a couple little bit more touch up.

Unknown Speaker 25:58
So our listening audience in the near future will probably be able to see that on the website.

Aki 26:04
Oh, most definitely. Most definitely. We plan to have it all. Finished for our Juneteenth Celebration next month. Oh, excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Yeah, so we're gonna be live streaming. So all of you out there. If you have not joined the Black achievement plan yet, please, please join us 10 million black people in our allies plus $9 A month equals 90 million a month and over a billion dollars a year for us to finance our own development for us to finance our own development. So just to put it in perspective, brother, Washington, if we gave you a million dollars a year for any type of programs and services in the Las Vegas area on behalf of black people, how much would you be able to accomplish? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 26:49
a lot? A lot. I'll say that. Without hesitation. There's a lot you can do with it. Some people say oh Million Dollar, there's nothing? Oh, yes, it is just how you use it. And where you place it? So? Absolutely. That would be well spent. Well spit. So any other any other programs that you got going on? Because I think we got a few more minutes. Just trying to make sure you give you some positive on the airwaves. Mr. President?

Aki 27:18
Yeah, it's just really, really, really want people who are listening to you to really hear what we're saying. What we're talking about here with the black achievement Fund is a bonafide solution to so many of the problems that we talk about. And this is a solution that we can implement virtually overnight, we just need to all be on the same page at the same time and act, you know, 10 million of us out of 50 million, that should be a small, small, small, small order.

Unknown Speaker 27:45
Okay. So if you're listening,

Aki 27:47
join us. Great.

Unknown Speaker 27:49
So would you just give us your website. So our listening audience will be familiar with that. And maybe they can tap in as we close?

Aki 27:59
It www.ba F dot solutions. Great.

Unknown Speaker 28:05
Well, we appreciate him, we'll get you back on again. And hopefully, you'll have great success with the program this year. And we appreciate you coming on Veterans Affairs plus.

Aki 28:16
Thank you. Thank you. Always a pleasure, brother. Talk to you soon.

Unknown Speaker 28:19
All right, take care. Now. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more, you know in in my early discussion, we talked about this as graduation time of the year and one thing I failed to mention was my grandson Karen Aragon is going from the fifth grade to middle school sixth grade so congratulations to him and Amira is going from second grade to third grade I got to make those statements because if I don't I'll be in trouble with the family. So we got Wes our engineer, he's keeping me on point and I appreciate Wes and all that he does for our program here. And once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 chairs and more and we'll talk to you soon.

Outro Song 29:36
All the smoke in the cylinder hey when I step on the pavement we

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