[1][7] Coates had served as staff director of the Congress Heights Neighborhood Development Center.
[1] Coates' candidacy was endorsed by Americans for Democratic Action and D.C. Citizens for Better Public Education.
[10] Coates supported more training for teachers and contracting with a private developer to build new schools.
[20] In February 1969, Coates joined other members of the Board of Education to review school textbooks for examples of racism and outdated content.
[21] 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.