Nicole Williams (00:00):
Hi, this is Nicole Williams and this is compassionate. Las Vegas, the podcast.
Will Rucker (00:28):
Welcome to compassionate Las Vegas, the podcast I'm your host will Rucker and joining me today is a
very, very, very special guest. She's becoming a fast friend and I, I think you are going to be so inspired
by what she's bringing to our community in Las Vegas valley. Please. Welcome to compassionate Las
Vegas, the podcast, Nicole Williams. Hello, Nicole.
Nicole Williams (00:55):
Hello. How are you doing Will?
Will Rucker (00:58):
You know, I am doing mighty fine. So glad had to talk with you now that you've gotten a little sleep.
Nicole Williams (01:05):
Yes. And I definitely did get that. It feels like just yesterday though.
Will Rucker (01:10):
Yeah. So for those that don't know, Nicole puts on a fantastic urban centered pride. So her event really
is, is specifically for people of color, but of course, everyone is welcome and it's just, you have to be
there. So next year it'll be back here in Las Vegas, but you've gotta go because it's really unique. And she
just does everything with such excellence and creativity that I said, I've gotta bring her on the podcast
and I've gotta introduce her to the few, two or three people in Las Vegas that don't already know her. So
Nicole, just, just tell us, like, how did you come up with the idea around doing your event and why you
chose to do it?
Nicole Williams (01:58):
Well I chose to do it because definitely having my own marketing agency, it's my job to find holes and
niches, target demographics, and see where there is a need for a company in its in itself. So I also plan
and do my own events. And for the last three years I've been doing pride festivals and I saw that there
was a need for more cultural aspect to be added to the Las Vegas community with us being in a city of
just awesomeness and the entertainment of capital of the world. It's really easy for the community to
kind of get lost in the shuffle. So with that being said, and just doing the work for the last four years it
was definitely a need for the LGBT community to have a destination place event themed for anybody to
come out for a pride in Las Vegas from any walks of life.
Will Rucker (03:00):
And, and you just kinda just slid that in. Yeah. Cause I've got my own marketing company, you know?
Yeah. that that's no small fee somewhere . Yeah, exactly. And the fact that you're doing
this in such a community focus, so the, the pride you dubbed house of love is that right.
Nicole Williams (03:18):
The house of love is the community event. So the Vegas pride is the communal house of all events, all
themed events that welcomes all. So each event for the festival this year was themed off the word
house which is a, a famous word that we know from the ball room era, you know going back, back, back
back to the seventies and all, you know, those days playing off of that. So it's a familiar word. It's homey
it, you know, it's good, good times when people hear the word house, I believe whether it's house music
or a house ball. So all the events were themed off of the word house. House of love, the Playhouse the
exotic house. Like I believe you had like everything
Will Rucker (04:07):
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the house of love community event, which was so special because
you didn't just provide resources. You had a job fair on site, you had inspirational speakers, you brought
community members and elected officials. And I mean the entire spectrum to really bring everyone
together because your, your house of Vegas, the actual pride event, people from all over the country
came to that. But the community fair was specifically for Las Vegas
Nicole Williams (04:38):
And it's done specifically that way. So when I, when I planned the festival, I learned through doing it that
it needs to be separate. It's always a welcoming aspect to the, the festival goers. However I do
remember is Las Vegas and it's 72 hours a nonstop event. So respectfully I don't push them to wanna
come to the community event because, you know, they have their prize in their own town. So the
community house of love event is more so for Las Vegas, bringing our community together and creating
that inclusiveness and welcoming all
Will Rucker (05:12):
I wanted to dive a bit deeper. You didn't have to do a community event. The pride was more than
enough. You said 72 hours nonstop. So I mean, that's an endeavor in and of itself and I've done
community resource fairs. And I know this type of work that goes in to get people, to show up, show up
on time. , you know, all of those things and you chose to do both to me that says, you're
thinking bigger than just the business. You're really thinking global community and longevity. Talk a little
bit more about that.
Nicole Williams (05:47):
Well, it's important to have the community event for pride with, with the history of discrimination and
prejudice within the community. Sometimes we don't feel comfortable going to certain places or even
like, like you said, a job fair or feeling like, oh, well, they're gonna accept me. You know, if I apply for
this. So there's some, I feel like there's still some insecurities and some things that we're working
through with our allies that I feel like it's it's for our community to have a, a resource fair that is deemed
with pride. So you know, that anybody in all that are at the community event are for, and are allies or
already in the community, that you can meet somebody in a more business sense in a more communal
sense to where those connections can happen locally. Because a lot of times, a lot of people don't know
other vigils here in the city, a lot of people it's a transient town, so people are alone. So it's a place for
people to come meet and that's the goal to grow it to where people will be able to meet and greet and
then receive the resources from our allies that are open to a transgender applying, or, you know, a
lesbian applying that you or a person with, you know, just are okay with, with how they look and how
they feel and not feel uncomfortable in those types of spaces. So it was very important to keep that
aspect,
Will Rucker (07:09):
Just like your event, people from all over the, literally all over the world, watch this podcast. So some are
probably sitting here thinking, why would they need that in law, Vegas? It's, you know, since city
everything's acceptable in Vegas, why do we still need that here in 2021?
Nicole Williams (07:26):
Well, one, I grew up here in Las Vegas and we are a city and a town just like anybody else that has the
same things. And just going back to where we kind of get lost in the shuffle that we're the place where
you just, you come and you lose yourself, but no, there's real family here. My, you know, my mom
retired here from LS air force base. And, you know, I came here at a very young age and our
community's really small, but it you still need to gel that together. That's cuz we don't go on the strip all
the time. You know, we, we have our, our regular lives to live and it's no different from any other town.
So it's important that people like us continue to do the work to add that. Because it's very far few
between why people move here. But our community workers are very strong and mighty here in Las
Vegas and we work together and I'm very proud to be a part of that. Cause when we call, we all come
together other, you know, for each other and say, all right, all right, Nicole, I'll be there. And I'm
appreciative of that. You know, that we're phone calls away. So I feel like we're kind of like a small town
in a sense.
Will Rucker (08:30):
Yeah. That's what surprised me the most. When I moved here, I am basically a native now cause I've
been here for seven years. But when I first moved, I didn't realize how small this place really is. We've
got three major cities, Henderson, Las Vegas and north Las Vegas. And even then with those three cities,
they are so interconnected that, I mean your three degrees of separation from everyone, you know,
most people are like, yeah, you're six degrees, no in Vegas it's like three, maybe two. And that's just
really the way that we, we operate. But with that, the other thing I noticed is we do seem to be a bit
behind as a community socially. And with our technology, if you take this strip out of the equation, we
really are kind of a small town still growing very, very fast, but it's hard to keep up from an infrastructure
standpoint with the type of growth we're having from a people standpoint. And I don't know that
everyone really recognizes how hard that can be and specifically for marginalized community like the
LGBTQ plus community. I heard you speaking once and you mentioned that sometimes people even on
the strip still encounter issues where they feel afraid or unsafe, what could we do as a community to
help make that be eradicated completely where , it doesn't matter where you are when
you're there, you feel safe, whoever you are.
Nicole Williams (10:02):
That's like a, definitely a unfilled onion. As I always say, you know, with the platform that I like to be on
is more of a larger scale. I'm obsessed with doing larger events multiple in, in multiple days. But what I
do encourage my promoters volunteers, employees that work with me during the festival and the
community partners is that I literally begged them to keep doing events on a weekly basis, a monthly
basis. Keep 'em diverse and work together to wear a, it's not so much of feeling like a competition. I
used to be a part of the motorcycle world and one of the most important things I, I took from that being
on part of a national chapter is that there was like coalitions. So on a local level, the national presidents
would talk from all the chapters and they would schedule their annuals respectfully.
Nicole Williams (11:00):
So everybody can have theirs and not feel like you're stepping on anybody's toes. So my mission is to
take that and operate it as such, you know, as house of Vegas pride and even Las Vegas pride are the
cell, the city for a more large, a scale that operates to help the entertainment tourism industry for the
city that locally promoters and community workers should keep it going. Because without that, that
doesn't, that that helps me because you're bringing in people to the city that need to have somewhere
to go. And there's groups on Facebook, all, all kinds of, you know, I'm like probably 20, you know, LGBTQ
groups and we're posting and they're looking for things to do. And I'm constantly campaigning. Like, can
somebody like, you know, keep, keep the industry going. And that's, what's important is that respecting
each other, that we are a small town to work together as a group just to keep things going on a, on a
weekly annual and community basis so that it, it, it can become bigger and larger and people don't look
at Vegas like, oh, there's no gay community to where it'll start to get known and then it'll catch on.
Nicole Williams (12:10):
And we'll probably have some things on the it's like it took hip hop, you know, into the two thousands to
get a residency. You know, it's the same thing. It's just, you know, it's just evolvement. But we, as the
people have to make it, make the evolvement work in order for it to get notice. So the more people
involved, the more people doing the work, the better chances for us to create more of a community for
our ourselves.
Will Rucker (12:34):
So it's what I'm hearing is getting to know people, bringing people together, giving them a chance to see
each other to interact is really how you see this evolving and also being respectful of the fact that we are
diverse and different people have their own endeavors. And so instead of competing, trying to be more
collaborative is, is that right?
Nicole Williams (12:59):
Dr. Muno, that's the key to it. We have to work together at the end of the day. Separation is not what
this world is for. Nobody came to this earth to be alone. And in our community, you have so many
people that are and are looking and moving to Vegas. Cause they think there's something here and they
don't find it. You know, I hear it in groups all the time. So that's what keeps me going. I share what I can.
I work with who I can cuz I per I don't, I don't have the time to do something weekly or monthly. I'm
working on doing a monthly event, but I, or anybody and everybody that's doing something no matter
what color age or that they see it so that we can start getting people involved
Will Rucker (13:46):
As a female, you faced a unique intersection of bias and prejudice. And so the fact that you are pulling
off the level of events that you're doing is a Testament to not only your skill, but your character and your
fortitude. The other part of this equation with what you're doing is you, I have also been invited by
others to their stages because of what you're presenting. Can you tell us a little bit about how you are
pulling that off?
Nicole Williams (14:20):
Well the toughness comes from, I'll say this you know, I've been in this work for 15 years. I, I was
groomed by men. , you know, down south, you know, the, the, in the entertainment, hip pop
industry is not exactly the nicest. So early on, I used to cry a lot and deal with, you know, the, the
prejudice and the cat calling and not taking me seriously as a graphic designer or event planner like, oh
girl, I want your number. No, I, I wanna be your flyer. They're like, nah, you know, like great. And they,
they told me early on, like when I, you know, they were saying that like, you are gonna get that, so deal
with it, you know, it's going to happen. So stop crying. If this is what you wanna do, you gotta tough
enough and demand your respect.
Nicole Williams (15:10):
So luckily to have that kind of, you know, friends and mentorship of business partners going on to with
that. So I just carried little bits of my lessons through my journey of my life to come to this point to
where, like I said, again, it comes back to togetherness. When I met Las Vegas pride, when, when I did
my first pride into 2018, you know, everybody in the community's like, oh, they're competing. They, they
don't want you around. And LA you're doing it the same weekend. Saw them at an aviator's game in
2019. It was the pride night and they were like, whispering like, oh, they're over there. It should be,
should we going to, I'm like, I'm gonna go introduce myself and I'm gonna fill them out for me. And at
that table was Brady McGill, the president of Las Vegas pride.
Nicole Williams (16:01):
And he couldn't have been the most nicest, open warming, already knew who we were person and was
open to helping and knew that there was a missing link that just, they, you know, couldn't really capture
all the way because the lack of our people on the board and involved the people of color and our culture
involved with Las Vegas pride, you know, so it's not, I don't blame any, I'm not blaming them. You know,
it's just that we have to be involved if we wanna be heard. So instead of trying to come together, like,
you know, work with Las Vegas pride, they respected my space of having my own cultural events and
said, okay, well you can take care of this sector and we'll do this and we'll work together. And we
support each other. And it was just like that.
Nicole Williams (16:47):
It was never an issue. And, you know, just by working with each other and developing our relationships
and learning each other, just over the past four years, it's just gotten stronger. The bond has gotten
better and the trust is now there to where now I, I have the, the cultural urban stage for five hours
instead of two, you know? And they, yeah, and they, you know, they, they help with the sponsorship.
They help cover my cost for, for the, for the flow and, you know, and help be put up my headliners in
the hotels for their, for their festival. So we really do work together to make sure that we are
representing the Las Vegas community and also respecting that we are a tourism town and we're all
here to make sure that a guest that come to Las Vegas are having a good time. So I'm very grateful for
their community partnership.
Will Rucker (17:34):
But here's what I just heard you say, it wasn't that there was prejudice or resistance to including
including the urban community. It was, we weren't present yet. And once we made that connection,
magic is happening. It that's so important for people to hear
Nicole Williams (17:57):
And that, and that's what it is. And it's all in perspective. A lot of people will look at it like, oh, well, they
don't have black people there. They don't have hip hop, urban events, or you going to the board
meetings and voicing that, are you showing up and saying what you wanted them to do or suggesting
things because they have monthly public meeting, you know? So I'm, I'm here to represent that and
open that up to where, you know, people know that that's there and, and on the other side might have
not even known, you know, unless we do the research. So I just wanna be a vessel and, and a voice and
a resource of letting everybody know all that's here in Las Vegas for everybody that we already have,
everything we need, we just need to be present.
Will Rucker (18:37):
Karen Armstrong is quoted as saying that a compassionate community is an uncomfortable community.
And the spirit of what that means is you don't ignore the issues that are there. You actually, we do
address them. Sometimes compassion can be seen as soft or you know, kind of just something that's
there is like mushy, but doesn't actually do anything. No compassion takes action. It it's the, the spirit of
moving to alleviate suffering. It it's that desire. And so desire leads to action. And that's what I heard in
your story is you, you took action and said, Hey, let's talk. And a little bit of fear, probably, you know, are
they gonna respond? Or how is this gonna turn out? But you did it. And you know, and actually now I'm
thinking about now that I know you a little better, I don't think there was any fear in that for you, what
others may, the
Nicole Williams (19:32):
Fear comes from actually. And I won't go too deep, but just making sure that I have everything I need,
that the doors are gonna open, that I don't have any surprise popup business, just like with any
business, you know, that the fire department comes in and says, oh, you, you have a chair over there,
that's blocking an entrance. You know? So you have those fears of just making sure that you have your
business in place and taking care of on, on that scale, that your doors can open. That's what gave me
anxiety. , I'm more so like, I, I love doing the work I love creating and, and pulling it all together.
I'm already working on next year and pretty much ready for my launch almost, but, but it's the fear of
that door opening. Cause if that door don't open, that means you have to cancel that's it, that one little
thing and making sure that you have everything in place can jeopardize a whole string of things that you
can't have.
Nicole Williams (20:24):
It I'm not worried about who comes. I'm not worried about how much money I make. Whoever comes
to that door is, is, and to be there and is, and it's my responsibility to create an experience for those who
want to participate in that. I never want anybody in inside of the festival that doesn't wanna be there. I
never want anybody around me personally, that doesn't wanna be around what I'm doing and creating.
So I'm never worried about the numbers is just making sure that the production is top notch and I have
things in place. So the few people that do come don't bash me online. Everybody leaves happy.
Everybody's creating a memory. And that's what the most important thing with doing this one at the
artisan coming at out of a pandemic and creating a more homey field to where yeah, we're having all
the events in one place, however, you're gonna meet new people. You're gonna you're stay at the hotel.
You're we have suites with popup shops and all these other things that people didn't even know was
going on for the weekend. It was like a fun house. So I was really happy about how that, but that's, it's
my fear is always making sure the door opens so that we can have the actual event. I
Will Rucker (21:32):
Heard two big things in that that I wanna highlight. One is you are focused on the experience. You, you
have the end in mind in the entire process. And I think that's so important. So as we design our
economy, what is the, the purpose of an economy? What is the end goal? Well, economies are here to
serve people. People aren't here to serve the economy. So that's just a little tidbit. We're not here
talking about economics. But the other thing that I heard
Nicole Williams (22:01):
On Facebook yesterday in the group don't ,
Will Rucker (22:06):
But the other thing that I heard was really around systems and how interconnected everything is. You
use the example of a door being blocked, could shut the entire thing down. And I think that if we, we
look at that from a people-centered perspective, if one person isn't doing what they are designed to do,
or if something is hindering, just one person, the entire system itself can be shut down and will not
function. If it's not all the way shut down, it won't function at the level that it should or could. So there's
power in just one.
Nicole Williams (22:43):
Yes. And I definitely did understand that whole heart this year, the pressure because when you find a
need or a niche, it can either fizzle or it can just ignite and just take off. And this one took off a little
faster then I would anticipate it for growth. So I did endure a little, little growing pains of that. I
wasn't projecting, ready to do this year. But I fought through it to make it happen just for that is it's like,
you know, at the end of the day, if I'm gonna say I'm responsible for something I like to always keep my
word on what I say I'm at least gonna do at the bare minimum. But the ones just got bigger, bigger, and
bigger. And I'm like, oh my God, like, I don't know what , but okay, let me figure it out.
Nicole Williams (23:37):
And you know, it got provided away every step of the way when I thought that I was done, like, there
was times where I just was like, it's not gonna happen. I just need to stop. I mean, like, you know, it's
like, it's not all glory and I'm not perfect, but I have those moments and an angel just always come, you
know, somebody that was doing the work with me that I didn't know that was back there, cheering me
on or heard me whispering and talking to somebody else and said, Hey, I heard blah, blah, blah, blah.
You know, do you, do you need some help or do you need this? And what can I do? It was a lot of that. It
was a lot of people that I didn't know was listening when I wasn't trying to be heard, you know? So I'm
very appreciative to those silent supporters and swell was the ones that were out front supporting to as
well. But you, it all worked in a sense to where I didn't do this alone at all. I was just there to just keep it
going and, and, and be the warrior that I needed to be for the timeframe. But it definitely I was
appreciative of the people that did believe in my, my vision and helped me by any cost, like to see it
through.
Will Rucker (24:45):
And you showed that the whole weekend, your, your graciousness to everyone. And, and when I lack
sleep, I'm not quite as gracious as I like to be, but you just, I mean, you held it together and you, you
rolled with it like water, like whatever's coming, whatever changes we gotta make, lets do it. You go at
the community fair, we had us a small issue that erupted. Right. but you just, Hey, can we do this? Can
we do this? You know, and roll through it and everybody literally just yeah. You know, so
Nicole Williams (25:18):
It's great. I, I enjoyed it. It was funny cuz I I literally, cause I mean, nine events in three days is know toy,
even though the charitable aspect of it that, you know, the, the nonprofits that were involved were
managing their own events. It was just a lot of talking and I woke up that Sunday. I got some rest with
no voice for the, that was a love event and I thanked God that I, I, I hired a host because usually I would
do the hosting for that. But I said, no, you know, Nicole, you know, stepped back. But man, I, I was
happy that I was talking the way I was talking. Once I got there, cuz it was completely gone. I'm like, oh
my God, we had the after hours that started, I had an event that started at 2:00 AM and ended at 6:00
AM before house alone. so yeah, it was definitely intense, but I, I love it. And when you're in it,
you know, you, all you have to do is just put out the fires and keep going and, and keep people calm and
go with the flow. You, you can't do anything now you're you're in it. So there's no reason to, to bust the
doors are open. You know, that's always is my main goal.
Will Rucker (26:37):
yeah. I was tea you before we started recording and saying to be in the profession you're in,
you gotta be a little crazy. You gotta be a little out there to, to even consider it. Tell us the story about
the reunion.
Nicole Williams (26:51):
So shout out to Clark high school. That is I, I did graduate from Clark high out here in Vegas. I'm actually
planning our class reunion and I begged them to wait just a little bit for me to get revved up on it. Cause
I started both pride and the reunion at the same time. But they're seeing me work, how I work, you
know, they know me from high school, but you know, in our, our committee group they're getting
inboxes of things at like three o'clock in the morning and two o'clock in the morning, four o'clock and I'm
like, you don't have to respond. And one of the committee members was like, why are you still up? And
I'm like, well, you know, things need to get done. And he, he couldn't believe that I was still up and I told
him, I was like, well, you said the same thing.
Nicole Williams (27:40):
I was like, you, you have to be a little, I said, I'm a little bad, you know? And they said, LOL. So like just
don't mind me with it. But it's cool. The, this is another event that started out just my class reunion, but
because of the pandemic we are adding another class to that. So I'm doing two reunions and one and
working with two classes to make sure that it's memorable for everybody. So that's two yearbook and
two cheerleading squads, like, you know, and the two classes and stuff and separating it out, but still
making feel like we're all together. But the great thing about it was, is that Clark was, I went to the
magnet program and we were all pretty much close, so it's kind of cool that we're all gonna be together
and it's, it's been great, but yeah, it's, it's been nonstop.
Nicole Williams (28:30):
I have this. And then October pride festival, the eighth and ninth with Las Vegas pride stage and two
after parties and, you know, creating that sense of community when I was only supposed to do the
parade and the, and the stage, my one business partners is like nah, we're gonna do some after parties.
And some, you know, community was like, no, we need to do, we need to add some stuff to it. And I'm
like, you know what, and that's what I need them for. Cause I'll be like, oh no, this is enough. They're like
none, Nicole, let's go like let's, let's do it. And we start adding onto it. And I, I, I do my best to hire strictly
from the L GT community. So like the DJs, the artists throw in some allies that are supportive in, in are
popular within our community. But it's gonna be a great weekend.
Will Rucker (29:18):
Let me ask you this and then we'll, we'll move on to a couple of my, my surprise questions. I didn't tell
you about, oh, you in a very important role with a very important organization, you are the L G BT, Q I a
plus chair. Tell us about that.
Nicole Williams (29:38):
Oh, I am the co-chair to the national action network for the L GT community for the Las Vegas chapter
here. Nan is an organization that was founded by Reverend L sharpen. And the unique thing about
Reverend sharpen is that he is inclusive when it comes to his mindset on fighting for justice and, and
against president's per and racism. His model comes from Martin Luther king. And if we, if we go back in
the history of Martin Luther king, when he was an advocate in the community fighting for our rights in
the civil rights era he had people from the L G B T Q I a on his and as advisors and he was open. A lot of
people don't know back back then too, as well during the Stonewall riots, the black Panther party was
also a part of that fight when the injustice was, was being done.
Nicole Williams (30:37):
So with Reverend Sharpton, with him being there during those times I respect him wholeheartedly for
still keeping that same model from what's truly was happening back then that we were present and we
were all present for each other people of color with, with our rights. It's very important for me to as
well, and I will speak openly and freely because I do feel like it is an issue within our community. And I
call, I always call this out. We we separate each other through the sex and prejudice through between
being gay and black and the things that are happening. And I feel like we are hurting ourselves because
our numbers are actually larger as far as the murders and the no names and things that are happening.
And because we we're still working on how that looks like for us to be inclusive, to come together, to
fight for our rights as African Americans, no matter our sexual preference, we are doing ourself with dis
justice.
Nicole Williams (31:34):
So I speak very public on that, that, that is my overall goal to, to, to stop seeing sexual preference and
see that you, we are all people of color that are going through the same things. And we need to get back
to how it was during a civil rights era when they were actually helping and assisting each other. Not sure
when it, when it kind of fell, you know, but, and I don't know too much cause I'm not from all from that,
but I do know that we could be doing a better job as a community with fighting for all of our rights and
not just what we think is right. So the NA helps me to communicate the messaging to Reverend
Sharpton because the, the LGBTQ I, a chapter is national. And so my reports go straight to the national
chapter to Reverend Al Sharpton for the work that we're doing out here in Las Vegas. And I make sure
and let him know everything that we're doing. I, I
Will Rucker (32:31):
Just wanted to highlight that. And you touched on a couple of things. Thank you for bringing them into
the conversation.
Nicole Williams (32:36):
Yeah, I'm sorry, but it's really passionate to me.
Will Rucker (32:40):
No, it, it was great and it wasn't long at all. But in my experience as a African American male who is gay, I
also feel uncomfortable in African American spaces because of that. And a lot of people don't know who
was with Dr. King in the fight. And a lot of people don't understand, like, no we've been around, we've
been doing this together. So why are we still hating each other? Why are we still making it harder for
each other? Why are we making, you know, another minority group feel like an outside group, not just
the minority. So I'm so glad that you are getting voice to our issues and being present because that's
what, again, makes a difference. You're bridging these various sectors in our community together. So
entertainment with activism, with politics. I mean, you're, you are really, I'm just gonna dub you like the
connector or something because it's phenomenal.
Nicole Williams (33:40):
You, I appreciate it. I just, you know, you don't know if you don't know what's out there, how can you
have an opinion? How can you have a judgment? So I make sure to keep it very open to where anybody
can come so they can, nobody can ever come back and say, well, I didn't know, it's there, you know, you
know, get up and come out, you know, let, let let's support each other. Let's not just support each other
when we feel like it's needed for, for whatever reason for your, your business or whatever. Like we need
to be here all the time for each other. So I will continue that fight and everybody knows, you know my
mom said for national daughters day yesterday said she's not about that lip service. She's a about that
action. But I found it kind of funny because I like to voice my opinion. And I am about that lip service,
because at the end of the day, I will always speak my truth with no fear. You, you know, if you don't like
it, then, okay, that's fine respectfully. We, we don't have to be on that level yet, but I'm always gonna
feel comfortable to speak as that want that person to as well. Cause we're all different, you know, so
it's, it's, it's needed. I wanna learn from you just as much as you wanna learn from me.
Will Rucker (34:54):
Yeah. And, and speaking up is so critical. They go hand in hand with the, in, with minority communities.
Sometimes you'll get the question, well, why do you need a gay pride? Which, you know, that's a whole
nother podcast episode, right? Mm-Hmm , but you'll get, why do you need a black pride?
Why do you need this? And the thing that I, I try to help people understand is it's not about supremacy.
It's not about, we want to be over Lords of anyone else it's that we haven't found representation in the
mainstream. And so, so that we can see ourselves and take pride in ourselves instead of being
demeaned, that's where these events and these communities come from, the goal isn't to have, you
know, a gay pride be needed it's it's needed because it wasn't existing that we, we weren't accepted.
We weren't allowed to be in those spaces. We were oppressed same with African Americans and other
minority groups. It's the same exact concept. The reason there's a black entertainment television is
because on just enter at television, there weren't any blacks. So, you know, I just try to throw that in
compassionately mm-hmm .
Nicole Williams (36:02):
And I remember that too, as a kid, I remember I used to watch MTV all the time and knew all the rock
bands and stuff, but I knew my father and, you know, my mother, they always had the barbecues and
played the music, the records. But as a kid, I only thought that the R and B and hip hop was on the
record player and, you know, the tapes. So it's not like, I didn't know it, like, I I'm total hip hop head. I
didn't know there was music videos, you know? So when I found B E T and I just lost my mind. I'm like,
oh my gosh, what is, this is a kid in play has a video to two hype. Like, what
Will Rucker (36:41):
you took it back? Oh my gosh. Yeah. So
Nicole Williams (36:44):
It's like, when you, when it's like, when you think about it, it's not so much like, oh, I didn't know that,
you know, I didn't listen to hip hop or urban music. No, I just didn't know that we were making music
videos and we were doing that. I just heard the records and the player, you know, and the CDs and stuff.
So it's good. It's good to have representation, you know, without that, you know, we can't evolve and be
who we are and, you know, water seeks us own level. I love B E T video soul and you know, all that stuff
like, and it actually helped me to understand who I am today because I love music and entertainment. I,
you know, I always say in my next life, I'm gonna be a DJ. . I love music that much. And, and
going back to the experience with pride that's very much important to me, you know, my DJs, the, the,
the artists, the host, everything has to theme together.
Nicole Williams (37:36):
I just don't throw people in, be like, yo, lemme go on a stage. No, we're not doing that. You know, it has
to make sense. So I'm talking to people I'm biting with you, are you on the same energy as me? And are
you for the community? That is something I had to learn this year. That was a, that was a, a tough Le
lesson this year, understanding levels of support of the community. So I'm gonna definitely take that
more to heart this next year that you are in support of doing community work, because that's important
to me. And if that's not important to you, then that throws my whole thing off when we're just talking
dollars. Like, I know I need you to underst stand why I do certain things, and I'm a nonprofit, you know,
cause you have people that come over and wanna capitalize off of our community and that's not what,
what this is for, you know, mm-hmm so I like for everybody's vibe to be on the same. So
that's important as well. So it's like you're playing a concert, you know, for the weekend. So, but yeah, I,
I do understand that one. ,
Will Rucker (38:48):
I mean, you just kind of dropped the bomb there for just a moment. Yeah. You know, I know this, if
there was a song or you know, even maybe an album that represents to you, the true spirit of Vegas, not
necessarily, you know, the, the challenges we're growing through, but the Vegas that you see us, that
we could become, what would that song be for you?
Nicole Williams (39:14):
Holy Hannah. So it's so funny. My girlfriend just asked me, what song would I dance to dance to, cause
we're going to a wedding and that's with the bright a to, and I was on pause for like five minutes. Like,
please, babe, don't hang up. I'm gonna think of something, umm, gonna answer honestly, because I, and
I, and it's not gonna be a, a LGBTQ type of what for the community answer. I used to work for a, really a
popular nightclub out on the, on the strip here in Las Vegas when I got outta college and there was one
song that just would get me hype and it's probably like, like girl Nicole, really? It was Diddy's last night.
And it was with Keisha Cole and I don't know why, but that song just, it just to me, that was like when I
was going to the club and going to work, you know, the evening it was like that last night I
couldn't even get an answer, you know?
Nicole Williams (40:21):
So it's like, you know, you're at the club, you're, you know, you're out partying. So that just used to
always just vibe with me, like, like, you know, I want my, my clients and people just to lose themselves
for the night, get away from your phone, you know? Like, and that's the one thing I want people, you
know, actually that goes, put away your phones and live in the moment. And that's, that's why cuz I, and
that's what I that's actually truly what I want. I want people to learn how to put their phones away just
for a moment and just be in it. So that's probably why I always like that song, but I used to just vibe that
song on the way to work. Like yeah, we have to, you know, have a good time and, but it's just like lose
yourself for just one second.
Nicole Williams (41:01):
Not everything needs to be on camera. You know, sometimes this is good to meet a new friend and to
be able to talk about it and just reminisce, you know, cuz you know, we take those videos, those 20
minute videos and stuff. And when do we ever go back to them when we're clearing out those posts and
memes that we don't want anymore. And we happen to see, oh, that's when I was at that concert, let
me look at this real quick or whatever, or a throwback Thursday. So living in the moment and that's
what that song represented to me. You know, that it was like a Vegas night where you can just lose
yourself so much.
Will Rucker (41:34):
I, I, I don't know the song, but thank you for, for sharing.
Nicole Williams (41:40):
I'm it to you. It's definitely like a song like you had a night last night and you didn't call like you,
Nicole Williams (41:51):
It represent a community. That's where the national platform comes to, to where I wanna create that
for our community, that you also have a Vegas experience whether you're gay or straight, you come
here and resort style living, have those parties, the bottles pop in with the sparks going up, you know
what I mean? And feel comfortable that you can see and do what you see on TV, your friends doing, and
you might not wanna go to a straight club, you know, or, or do certain things. And it'd be at affordable
reasonable price too. Cause Vegas gets kinda pricey. So that's it right there for, I
Will Rucker (42:34):
Love it. If you had the magic wand that you could wave and change anything about our city to make it
really live up to the hype, so to speak, to really truly make Las Vegas compassionate, what would that be
for you?
Nicole Williams (42:49):
Well, I think we have the compassion it's there. You know, we definitely passionate. We definitely show
when we, when we need to, I think we need to always just always have a conscious effort to show up all
the time. Not just when there's a problem. Because we come out, you know, we come out in numbers
but we need just more consistency to, so that we can continue to, to grow the community in that way.
And not just when there's an issue, cuz that goes back again to like if you're wanting the respect of the,
the legislation and the government and you know, the city officials, you have to show up more so than
just not always at when there's a problem. So we have our, we have our staple individual here in the
community. Like I said, like that, that show up, they come out, they speak on our behalf, but I think as a
whole, you know, there's more power in numbers.
Nicole Williams (43:46):
So you don't always necessarily have to be that, that person that holds that title to feel like you need to
go to a city hall meeting, you can just sit in a city hall meeting and this listen to what's going on. I, I listen
to channel two all the time and it's really hilarious half the time, you know, and hearing the stuff that's
going on. But just again, being present and being consistent with that and not just when it's, you know,
it's time to get the popcorn out, like, Ooh, who said what? Let's, let's listen to this board meeting, you
know, hear about what the, the, the construction that's going on, the bills that are being passed and
how their, how did we come out of this pandemic the way we did, how did they roll it out? You know,
that was important to me on how we, how were we gonna get to concerts in large gatherings? And it
was a rollout and they explained that there, you know, so again, everything's there, we just have to take
advantage of our resources.
Will Rucker (44:35):
That's, that's one of my, my big, my Clarion calls please be involved. And I mean, an elected official is an
representative. They represent the people and we are the people. And if we're not participating in the
process, how can they adequately, truly represent us? And we have to show up as our authentic selves
bringing all of our various I identities to the table so that everyone's interest is considered and met. So
I'm so glad you shared that. So, so glad. Yeah. Last question. How do you define compassion
Nicole Williams (45:16):
By just doing what your heart says going off your first mind and not being easily influenced when you
think that you need to fit in do, do everything from the heart. Even if it's not a, you know, your heart
might be a little, you know, but you're authentic self because that's allowing energetically for other
things to play out the way it should. So no matter how we feel who we love, who we don't love be you
because we're all here to teach. We're all here to learn and you showing up as you is helping that next
person to, to receive their lesson and their gift in life. So just being yourself and, and don't hold back no
matter whether how you feel, you know, it's not always about like, oh, oh, it needs to be lovey and E no,
you, you, if you don't like something or something, you don't agree with somebody be your authentic
self and that's,
Speaker 3 (46:34):
I.
