James Coates

James E. Coates (born ) He attended Howard University's School of Religion, and he graduated with honors. In 2019, the D.C. council passed a resolution commemorating the 65th anniversary of his ordination.

Political career District of Columbia Board of Education 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.

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 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. Coates 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1969, Coates joined other members of the Board of Education to review school textbooks for examples of racism and outdated content.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".

Personal life Coates married Marcia Hall Otey in January 1987.