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Veteran's Affairs Plus discusses the issues that veterans in Las Vegas deal with on a daily basis. Your host, David L. Washington connects listeners with relevant community resources and information that they need to help veterans or themselves.
Announcer 0:00
This is a KUNV Studios original program.
Wesley Knight 0:04
You're listening to special programming sponsored by Making Moves Life Coaching Services. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and Moore, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Pick it back and
Gene Campbell 0:30
pick it south. Come on, talk to me, so you can't see what's going on. Yeah, what's going on? Tell me what's going on. Good morning, good morning, good morning. It's a beautiful Saturday morning in Las Vegas, and I'm excited to be here this morning in front of you. I'm standing in for David Washington, Making Moves founder and former fire chief of Las Vegas, as he's off probably doing so many other things that David does, not only throughout Las Vegas but in the world itself. Today I have two special guests. I have my son Brandon Campbell and my nephew Shaolin Campbell. They're both here, and they're going to be talking about some interesting things. So we're going to get right into it because they have a lot to say. I'm just going to throw it out there and let you guys start chopping it up back and forth. And then when you get to a point, I might throw some other questions in. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Did you grow up in Las Vegas? And maybe you you end up your your your your recap or your your introduction with how did you touch UNLV during your life? So go ahead. I just throw it out to the room. Go ahead, Ruben.
Ruben Campbell 1:44
Yeah, Shylyn Ruben Campbell here, long term, long time Vegas resident. Been in Las Vegas since the mid '90s. Spent a lot of time on campus as a student, both in high school and as a student here at the university, came up through the upward bound program, and you know, happy to be back and speaking with you and Brandon.
Gene Campbell 2:12
You know, Reuben's a little humble. He's very smart individual, and you know, I call him that because I'm his his uncle. But Shaolin is his name that everybody knows him by, so we're gonna go by Shaolin, and he's gonna tell you a little bit about. He's a fantastic writer, and he has a lot of things he's been doing out in nature. Brandon, why don't you tell us what you've been doing with your life? Your little touch on UNLV, and what you've been doing?
Brandon Campbell 2:34
Absolutely, I appreciate that, Dad. I just first of all want to say it's an incredible opportunity to be here with my with my cousin and my dad. These conversations and opportunities come few and far in between. But my name is Brandon Campbell. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attended Valley High School, and my introduction to UNLV was through a program called Upper Bound. And actually, by way of introduction from my cousin sitting to my left. So, and it's so interesting. I think didn't we used to do it on Saturdays?
Ruben Campbell 3:00
Yes, sir.
Brandon Campbell 3:01
Yeah. So this is a this is apropos. Again, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Actually attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, and currently, well, a career lawyer. I worked as a intellectual property lawyer, drafting and negotiating agreements in music, television, and film, and now fully, firmly planted in startup life. So that's a little bit about what's been going on with me and my connection to the city that I love. And so interesting, actually. Last piece is entertainment capital world, and it's finally, it's good to finally see it, like living out what it what it always was supposed to be. You know,
Gene Campbell 3:38
right? So you know, Shaolin and Brandon, as we talk to our community, although people can listen to K U N V, and I sometimes, you know, Wes, I get that a little soon when I ain't have my coffee cup of coffee in the morning. But 91.5, when we when we come out here and we start to talk, we share different things that we're doing, so the community understands what's going on, how we're connected to that. But it also speaks to the youth and people who are trying to follow in your shoes. So tell us a little bit what you've done on campus, Shaolin.
Ruben Campbell 4:13
Yeah. So most recently, I was working for the business affairs department on the communications team, so that was a wonderful opportunity. Was able to write articles on different topics and also profiles on a lot of the long-term employees here. So that was a wonderful opportunity. Was able to reconnect with a lot of people from my youth, and really enjoyed it. That was a few years ago. I was here for two years, so wonderful experience.
Gene Campbell 4:47
Yeah. So you talk a little bit about that. Tell us a little more. Tell us a little bit about the writing and what you're doing with writing now, because you're really trying to impact Nevada. You're truly trying to impact. The Western United States and the country. Tell us a little bit about your your trips to Sacramento, maybe, and your impact on what you're trying to do, and how people can can look into that and understand it a little bit better, how it impacts them.
Ruben Campbell 5:13
Yeah, of course. I'm also the associate editor of Melanin Base Camp. It's an online community dedicated to uplifting people of color who are active in the outdoors. So, been working with Melanin Base Camp since 2021. With that, as an editor and also a writer, just letting people know my experience when it comes to the outdoors, what got me into hiking, you know, that's one thing. You don't see a lot of brothers out there on the trail, so I feel like it's my duty to not only uplift my stories, but to find and uplift other stories from around the BIPOC community.
Gene Campbell 5:58
You know, one thing about Shaolin is every Saturday morning. I don't care what time of year it is. If the sun is coming up, he's getting ready to peek some mountain or look at the sunrise or do it. And so we'll talk a little bit more about some of the photography and places he's gone. But we're gonna ask Brandon some questions now too. Brandon, tell us a little bit about you. You touched a little bit on your your career as a lawyer, and and I know you you really impacted some great people. Worked with some folks coming up through college, you know Trey Song, and you did some things with a few other people that are well known. You also didn't touch on with the Atlanta Braves, but tell us how all that journey came to where you're at now, and tell us a little bit more of what you're doing right now.
Brandon Campbell 6:42
Wow. Okay, that's a that's a lot. Let me see. You know, sometimes I can be long-winded, so I'll be as succinct as possible. Just to touch on a little bit of the journey that you that you mentioned. You know, after undergrad, I had an opportunity to work directly in music with an artist called Trey Songz and his management team, and did that for about a year before I moved on and worked in brand marketing for a company for for a brand agency called Octagon, and then worked with the Atlanta Braves in promotions. And that was all in an effort. I think it's super appropriate, you know, as a you know universal. I mean, a university radio station is that that was important context for me to know what it felt like to work in those industries before I attended law school, and so that was the context necessary for me. So attended law school afterwards, worked in corporate America as an attorney in television, and then moved on. And how that contributed to what I'm doing now is I've always felt as though I've had an innate desire and responsibility to have a global impact, and for for me at the time when I decided this a few years after law school, I hadn't had any experience living and moving throughout the world, and so I took some time, started my own law practice, and lived and worked in different places around the world for a year. And what that ended up contributing to is what we're building now, which is called Naremi, which is a members-only network that helps you find people, places, and experiences that match your interests anywhere in the world. And so, the context gained from having conversations in local communities as I traveled around the world led and inspired me to want to connect people more meaningfully, and because you know, as we live, we must be able to earn. I decided to create something that not only served people, but you know, had some had some financial gain as well. All right, so we have Nourremy, and and how do people see what you're doing, Reuben? What was what was that again, Hannah?
Ruben Campbell 8:41
Yeah, so Melanin Basecamp is an online blog. You can find us@melaninbasecamp.com, also on Instagram at melaninbasecamp That is what I'm doing as far as writing. My day job is with the Conservation Lands Foundation. I'm the Grassroots Engagement associate director, and we work with over 90 community-based organizations that work to preserve and protect the national conservation lands of America.
Gene Campbell 9:11
Wow, you know we could stay there for a minute today. It's probably 107, 108 in Las Vegas, or getting going to be that way. Being this is a Saturday morning, so who knows what it's going to heat up to be today? But just saying that it's been hot. We've been talking about a drought, and we've been looking at fires. That fire up there in Reno was an amazing thing at the beginning of the week, and so you know, nature and conservation has a lot to do with it. You know, this time moves really fast, and so I want to make sure we we say where we are. We're at 91.5 KUNLV, and we really appreciate them for allowing us to be able to come at you this morning. So let's just think about this, gentlemen. Both of you looking back at what you're doing now and your passion. And if I was a youth, let's just. Touch on three to five places you went to as you as you live in your passion right now, Brandon. You know I know you've been a lot of places, Reuben. I know you've you've hiked. When I look at your photos that are online, some of the places you're amazing that you've gone to and seen some of the colors, the natural colors in the water that's around the Southwest. Maybe you can talk about three to five places that our guests might know about, and the same thing for you, Brandon. Well,
Ruben Campbell 10:27
I would say that the number one place that's on my mind right now is Bears Ears National Monument. Was able to spend a week out there last year, and this year the protections for Bears Ears was dismantled, so that's something we've been working fervently to get restored as the area has now been opened up for mining. So that natural beauty that you're talking about is now under threat. So that's one place that's that's definitely on my mind. Spent a week out there, you know, just hiking amongst the natural beauty. So Bears Ears would probably be number one, and also Las Vegas. You know, you think of casinos, you think of entertainment, but we are surrounded on all sides by public lands. So one of my favorite places here, just to the west of the valley, Red Rock Canyon, probably about 20-minute drive from where we are today, and just a beautiful, beautiful place, as well as my favorite place right now, Mount Charleston. It's about 20-30 degrees cooler up there, so that's a place that I frequent during these warm summer months.
Gene Campbell 11:45
Yeah, it's interesting. We started talking about how warm it was outside, so we'll probably get a chance to touch on that again, Brandon. I'm gonna switch over to you. What place hit your heart? What place do you want to know? Let people know about. And and when you went on that year long journey and you came up to where you're now. Looking back, what do you think impacts you the most?
Brandon Campbell 12:06
Yeah, you know what? Actually, I'm definitely going to get into that, but I actually want to touch on something that you mentioned real quick, Shai. I think the beauty of the Las Vegas Valley, as a person that is born and raised here, is something that we often take for granted. Yes, and as you said, we're surrounded on all sides by natural beauty, and it took me to take some time away from home to come back. And each time I come back, I really feel like I'm in a postcard. And so, for people that are either born and raised here, spend enough time here, do not take for granted all of the natural beauty that we have. I feel like Shai, you're one of the poster children for when people say, "What is there to do in Vegas besides the Strip? I feel like you know you should be the one they call every time I have a conversation with someone. I was like, "Listen, every time I go home, I go hiking with my cousin. You know, he's he's my expert guy. I hate the I hate the mountains with him. Whether it's Red Rock, whether it's Mount Charleston, whether it's I'm learning more about the you said beers ears,
Ruben Campbell 13:02
beer's ears, yeah,
Brandon Campbell 13:02
yeah. Today, and so such a staunch advocate, and always admire and honor and honor the work that you do. So for me, the reason that was important is because you know home has always has to always, in my opinion, be your foundation. And some of the places that inspired me were either because I could call back to home and say I did have or did not have like a great example, and so I I can't run through the entire list. I don't think we have time on on the radio show, but a few that are top of mind, especially for anyone listening who is who is a Black American spending time in Africa, in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life because it gives you a different exposure and context to what it means to be African American, and so that's hopefully succinct enough to answer your question, Dave.
Gene Campbell 13:58
Well, that's yours. You guys, I like to chopping it up back and forth. It kind of cut me out, but that's good because both of you have such great intellectual minds, bringing young men like you are. And sometimes we're categorized. Both of you are very articulate and very excellent writers. If I could write like half as well as either one of them, I probably would have finished some advanced degree because each one of them does it excellent. I remember, you know, Shalene when he was a young man, he did it in the third and fourth grade, and he's done it throughout all his life. So let's let's just say a few things for some of the folks. You know, we always talk about Veterans Affairs Plus. This is a plus today. As as you start to talk about it, and you want to put some some seeds down, you want people to follow the seeds, maybe to something else, or you want to say or shout out about something that's being affected in your life that you want people to to to to help them enlighten themselves. Think about that for a minute, and then then talk about it because. This is a freeform thing. We talked a little bit about what you're doing. You both gave ways people connect with what you're doing. But what else, given you know, 10 minutes or less that we have on on the on the show today, what else did you want to leave with somebody? Now let's let you guys bring that up. If there was something that you wanted to say or a goal you had for today, what was your what was your goal, and maybe what else did you want to say to folks here in Las Vegas? Because we talked a little bit about connection. We talked about things that maybe people could start to understand. Maybe if they wanted to be like you. So if we were talking to somebody who was in the ninth, 10th, 11th grade, or we're talking to somebody who's a freshman here at UNLV, or we're looking at somebody who might be retired, moved to Las Vegas, and looking for something to do. How could they do what you do, or get involved with what you're doing, or where would they go to read to understand more of what you're talking about?
Brandon Campbell 15:50
Yeah, you know, my perspective is, you know, if I could be of any advice to anyone, I would say maintain insatiable curiosity, maintain insatiable like an incredible curious spirit about who you are and what your role is in the world. You know whether it's your interests, your likes, what you don't like, and you know what I'd say is what I focus on is being able to find home anywhere. I'd say that's how I would succinctly categorize the journey that I've been on is finding finding community in various places, finding things that align with me, alignment that the work that I do in the world, the energy that I receive from it, and how I am able to sustain myself are in alignment. I can be you can find me on Instagram. My handle is b c a m b o s s or what we're working on now currently with Naremi at www dot naremi n u r e m i dot i o shall let y'all in
Ruben Campbell 16:51
yeah I would say you know start where you are like I said with myself working in conservation public lands we're surrounded by public public lands here in Las Vegas. We work with over 90 organizations. There's more than 12 here in Nevada. Groups like Friends of Red Rock, Save Red Rock, Get Outdoors Nevada. They have volunteer programs. You can donate. You can come out to one of their events. So you know, start where you are. Start small. And I definitely have to echo what my cousin just said. Keep that curiosity. An insatiable curiosity is something that will take you very, very far. And just to restate, Conservation Lands is on Instagram at @conservationlands. Also, conservationlands.org. We have a few action items on our website that you can learn about what we're doing on the ground. Also, coming up at the end of September is National Public Lands Day, so we'll have events all over the Southwest. Hopefully, you can link up with myself or one of our friends, Grassroots Network organizations.
Gene Campbell 18:10
Yeah, please make sure if you hook up with Reuben that you have Shaolin. I should say you should have your your your backpack, have plenty of water, have some good shoes, and just come with a good open mind, and because you can learn a lot and see a lot of beautiful things, depending on your abilities to to interact. Now, Brandon, what else did you have to share as we get close, get closer to close today?
Brandon Campbell 18:33
I say, if you ever go hiking with Shai, you better respect nature around you because he will get on you. Okay, and and learn the rule, understand the rules, and never leave the group, okay? Because you may have to apologize to him for weeks on end afterwards. Weeks on in,
Ruben Campbell 18:50
I just believe in no person left behind. So you know, if you separate from the group, then you become a liability for me. So I just try to keep everyone together, everyone having fun, leave no trace principles. You know, pack pack out what you pack in, and you know, just just enjoy it and have a good time.
Brandon Campbell 19:08
And you know, I think the last thing I'd say is, you know, align with those principles and the environment that we're here enjoying is we stand on the shoulders that come before us. That no, not only is true for interpersonally or our lineage or our family, but also the environment as well, right? And so, once we understand that, we have more respect for everything that comes before us, and can respect it more in the present.
Gene Campbell 19:28
Yeah. So, hey, you know what? That is a beautiful thing you just said. I know both of you been impacted by some people in the community. Could you name one or two or three organizations that you say really helped you, you know, develop when you were young, and that you know might be something that you would say, "Hey, have you ever heard about this group or that group? Maybe look into it because I know both of you, when you came here, were were different stages of development, and I know Brandon, you were born here. Tell us a little bit about maybe those organizations, because there's people listening now. What else? Did you do to get here, and who are the people that you're riding on their shoulders? Yeah,
Ruben Campbell 20:04
yeah. Let me go ahead and start because I know you know you have some of the same plus more. I was part of the Martin Luther Martin Luther King Jr. committee. You're probably part of that as well. Like I said, Upward Bound, the late Dr. William Sullivan, he, as we called him, Doc definitely let us know that you know education is the path to a more fruitful life. So definitely respect what Doc taught us as well as the other counselors at Upward Bound. So I'll start with those two organizations, and I know you probably have some more to add to that, right?
Brandon Campbell 20:45
Yeah, quick rapid fire. I'll go upward bound leadership, Las Vegas, the Kappa Leadership League. Some of the names that that I'll mention are then Councilman, then Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, great friend and mentor Joseph D. Thrower, you have you know childhood mentor Sam Smith, right? Let's see how. I mean, we can we can we can go through them. Actually, you know, one a person who gave me one of my first internships, Mike Waller. You know, so many people, so many people.
Ruben Campbell 21:17
Uncle Gene. Yeah, Uncle
Gene Campbell 21:19
Gene. Well, you know, Uncle Gene's a little different, so we won't talk about Uncle Gene today. But what we will say, there's so many other people, and some of those people you try to touch base when you come back to town, and you hope to see them. And some of those people are are still here; they're still fighting, you know. And you know, Dave Washington. I was about to
Brandon Campbell 21:37
say, if I could shout out a couple more, I gotta pay love and respect to you know mr. David Washington, who I still remember. I've never obviously I don't remember the experience, but I remember distinctly the picture that we have of him holding me as I was a baby, and such a strong figure in our community, Camp Brotherhood. You know, you know, much love and respect to the late Melvin Ennis as well. So we can we can go down. We can keep going. We
Gene Campbell 22:03
can keep going. So you know, we got a little more time. You know, Wes has allowed us a little more time. So we're gonna make we're gonna make use of that. You know, one of the things that I've been seeing here lately is is the growth of Las Vegas and the change because when you first came here, especially Reuben, you're a little older than Brandon. They said there ain't much to do here now. There's not much to do. And can you think about when you first came here back in probably 1997, eight, something like that? When you came, your parents, your grandparents moved here in '95, '93. I think they moved here. 95 is when your grandfather passed. How's Vegas changed, and and what do you treasure now that you that you really like? And and you talked about conservation and how the water's impact being impacted by the growth and the change in the climate. But tell tell us a little bit about that and how you're involved in that too, because even the growth in what you like is involved in what you do. And Brandon, the growth that you've seen, just just think about the growth that you've seen here, especially as you talk about intellectual properties and opportunities here now with all the different lawyers. You know, you had some some some lawyers and judges back in the day who were ones and twos? It started off, especially from the African American community, to now when you look at all the lawyers that we have here now, and the former friends that we had, and one of your one of your alumni, Doctor excuse me, Judge Karen Bennett Herron, who who recently retired, I believe, as a judge. There's a lot of people here now, so maybe you can expound on the growth and change in Las Vegas.
Ruben Campbell 23:48
Yeah, so you know, coming to coming to Las Vegas, we lived on the north end near Elkhorn and Jones, and you know, I remember getting teased by my friends when they dropped me off, they said, "Man, you live in Utah, and you know, if you know the valley today, you know it's many houses much further out than Elkhorn and Jones as it keeps expanding. But also, our public lands have been expanding as as well, so it's great to see that we have new areas to celebrate and and to visit. Also, when it comes to the city, they told us we'd never have a professional team, and now we have several as the A's look to come here in the next few years. So, seeing the growth of the valley has been good, but it's also good that you know we have more wilderness areas and we have more conservation also taking place.
Brandon Campbell 24:48
Yeah, but you know that's so interesting. If if you don't mind, Dave, you know you know you talk about Elkhorn and Jones, and so you know that's like core life memories for me. You know, seeing you know grand grandma and granddaddy over there. And to me, when I think about your journey, I want to ask: Was it inspired by? Because Grandma was always she was a nature, like she was a nature person, right? And where she lived, like she had chickens in the back, she had peacocks, right? At some at one point, there were horses back there. Were you inspired by by that experience?
Ruben Campbell 25:17
Yeah, yeah, I think so. I think that was always instilled in me. Before living here, I lived in New Jersey and also Mississippi, where my grandmother was from. So you know, spent a lot of time in ditches looking for crawfish and things like that. I felt like you know the city life kind of gets you away from that. But yeah, as I got older, definitely you know recalled all those times growing up, and it made me feel more at home being out in nature.
Gene Campbell 25:48
You know, one of the things they told me when I first came here, I came here as a young airman, was don't go to the West Side, and and you know David and and yeah, that's where I met Ray Feaster, that's where I met Bonnie Janelle. That's where I met Sarah and Knight Purdy. That's where I met James Walker. That's where I met so many Las Vegans, some that are now ancestors. But it was just such a welcome to come back to the South because everybody was friendly. We were all looking to grow, and everybody was looking to help support people. So you know that's one of the things I always want to encourage, not only in today's youth but everybody, is that it makes a community when we're able to talk, look at each other. Sometimes we don't have the same viewpoint, but that's good because we need to have multiple viewpoints. But I tell you what, that's what made Vegas home for me, and and it's just great to see so many people not only have the same feeling, but see some people now that have come back or making Vegas their home, or some people that are have transitioned from other parts of the country, just as I did, and are coming and making a difference, a positive difference in in in Las Vegas. So you got about 30 seconds or so, gentlemen, for us to wrap up. First, I'm going to go ahead and throw it to you, Reuben, and let you say a little wrap up, and then Brandon, you're gonna close out the show and leave us with something that's gonna take us to a higher level. All
Ruben Campbell 27:09
right, Shailen Ruben Campbell. You can find me on social media, Hike Nevada. That is a group project that we've been working on, highlighting people who get out into nature in Nevada, as well as you know myself. You'll find some of my photography on Hike Nevada on Instagram. Again, Conservation Lands at Conservation Lands and Conservation Lands.org. Find out a little bit more about what we're doing for public lands in the Southwest. We work primarily with BLM lands, but we have over 90 organizations that have multiple missions, as well as several here in Southern Nevada that you can connect with. Brandon, yeah, yeah. You know, I was just sitting here
Brandon Campbell 28:00
thinking, and it's such a such such a shame that public radio has has lost its gravitas over the years because it's so important for the community. And I'd say you know when we're talking about how things have changed over the years, everything that I believe in, and honestly, honest, our lives generally, it's just an unimmutable truth that humanity is interdependent, right? And so when we talk about the stories of the individuals who influenced us, I think one of the things that inspired me most is how close knit the Las Vegas community was, especially in our community. So whether it was the Martin King Martin Luther King Jr. parade, I remember living in Atlanta and telling people our MLK parade is better than the one here, and and it was the truth just because we were so close, and I don't know it's because of our percentage as you know African African American community compared to the other states, but community here was so so important. So I say when as we close, I'd say you know excuse me, oh my oh my gosh! I would say that the person with perspective bears the burden of the responsibility. Right? The person with perspective bears the burden of the responsibility. Meaning, if you have perspective that your situation should change, your environment, your environment should change. It is upon you to change your situation. And I know we're over time, but that's what I'll leave with. You can find me on Instagram, as mentioned earlier, at b c a m b o s s or w w dot naremi. io.
Gene Campbell 29:29
Well, that South Show Saturday morning. I hope you had a good breakfast, a cup of coffee, as you touched a little bit on what some of our guests are doing. My hats off to mr. David Washington. I hope you enjoyed your time, and that's it for Veterans Affairs Plus. Gene Campbell, I am your host today.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai