Gerald Mayes Sr. - "Mind Ya Business"
This week on Sticky Note Conversations, Erika Washington sits down with Gerald Mayes, Executive Director of NAACP Las Vegas Branch #1111. From growing up on the west side of Las Vegas to serving in the Marines and becoming a father at 21, Gerald shares how his personal journey shapes his approach to community leadership.
They discuss rethinking Black parenting for the next generation, the NAACP's vision for bridging the gap between civil rights legacy and youth engagement, and why holding elected officials accountable requires more than just showing up to vote. Gerald breaks down Nevada's Ballot Questions 6 and 7, the importance of civic education, and what it means to build political power that reflects the full spectrum of Black life in Las Vegas — from 89106 to the affluent neighborhoods alike.
Plus, details on the upcoming NAACP Food & Fun Gala luncheon and Black Campaign School with Jessica Byrd.
Segments:
- Meet Gerald Mayes — connector, father, and community servant
- Growing up in 89106: from Western High School to the Marines
- Fatherhood, "normal," and giving kids what wasn't given to you
- Rethinking Black parenting: breaking the cycle of fear-based discipline
- The NAACP's vision: bridging generational gaps in civil rights work
- Youth programs, partnerships, and building infrastructure across organizations
- What the Executive Director role actually does (and why the branch created it)
- Civic education, midterm elections, and holding officials accountable between elections
- Do Black voters still have political power? A candid conversation
- Ballot Question 6 (reproductive freedom) and Question 7 (voter ID) explained
- Defining democracy — and whether we actually have it
- Engaging Black men in civic life: listen first, don't criticize
- Gerald's version of the American dream: let people live
- Upcoming events: Food & Fun Gala (Oct 10) & Black Campaign School (Sept 17–19)
Guest: Gerald Mayes — Executive Director, NAACP Las Vegas Branch #1111
Links & Resources:
- NAACP Las Vegas: naacplasvegas.org
- Food & Fun Gala Luncheon — October 10 at the Culinary Academy (tickets on website)
- Black Campaign School with Jessica Byrd — September 17–19 (free to attend, register on website)
Host: Erika Washington Produced by: Erika Washington Edited by: Black Gypsy LLC Special thanks to: KUNV 91.5 Powered by: Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact
- (00:00) - Gerald Mayes Sr. - "Mind Ya Business"
- (00:05) - Show Intro
- (01:29) - Meet Gerald Mays
- (02:56) - Fatherhood and Roots
- (05:41) - What Normal Means
- (08:26) - Parenting Young Adults
- (14:27) - Rethinking Black Parenting
- (17:09) - NAACP Vision Today
- (20:20) - Youth Programs and Partnerships
- (23:49) - Executive Director Role
- (26:46) - Civic Education and Midterms
- (30:56) - Accountability Beyond Voting
- (35:10) - Black Political Power
- (43:28) - Ballot Questions 6 and 7
- (46:47) - Defining Democracy
- (48:22) - Engaging Black Men
- (51:33) - American Dream Reimagined
- (54:10) - Events and Closing
Creators and Guests
