James Coates

Early years

James E. Coates was born to Louise and George E. Coates. He attended Howard University's School of Religion, and he graduated with honors.

Religious career

Rev. Coates has been the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church since October 5, 1957.

Nomination in 1967

In 1967, Coates was nominated for one of three open seats on the District of Columbia Board of Education. Coates had served as staff director of the Congress Heights Neighborhood Development Center. Coates supported opening schools year-round. He also supported privatizing the operation of vocational schools. Coates' candidacy was endorsed by Americans for Democratic Action and D.C. Citizens for Better Public Education. At the time, federal district judges appointed the members of the District of Columbia Board of Elections. The federal judges decided to appoint other individuals to the District of Columbia Board of Education.

Candidacy in 1968

The first public election for members of the District of Columbia Board of Education was held in 1968. Coates was a candidate to represent Ward 8 on the District of Columbia Board of Education. Coates' nomination was endorsed by the Washington Baptist Ministers Conference. Coates supported more training for teachers and contracting with a private developer to build new schools. Coates' candidacy was endorsed by the Washington Teachers Union, the District Republicans, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Washington, D.C., the D.C. Education Association, and the editorial board of The Washington Post. Coates and Edward E. Saunders both advanced to a run-off election. The D.C. Democrats declined to endorse him.

oates won the run-off election, receiving 1,584 votes to Saunders' 1,187 votes.

First term

Coates' term in office began on January 26, 1969. The members of the District of Columbia Board of Education elected Coates president.

In February 1969, Coates joined other members of the Board of Education to review school textbooks for examples of racism and outdated content. A high-school textbook described Southerners during the Civil War as "ready to defend the Southern way of life...slavery or no slavery". Another textbook described Ho Chih Minh as the leader of an "independent movement".

Council of the District of Columbia

Coates was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule. Coates represented Ward 8 on the Council from 1975 to 1977.

Personal life

Coates married Marcia Hall Otey in January 1987.