Oral history interview with (Rev.) James E. Coates

James E. Coates, an African American man born around 1930, discusses his life before and after moving to Anacostia in 1957. Coates talks about being born and raised in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, attending Gethsemane Baptist Church, which his grandfather, James Thomas Harvey, founded in 1912, and playing many sports and musical instruments as a child. He provides information about his education at Howard University's School of Religion and how he was offered a position as minister at Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1957. Coates speaks on his participation with various community organizations, such as the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, Garfield Douglass Civic Association, Congress Heights Neighborhood Development Program, Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association, and Southeast Neighborhood House, as well as with the local Parent-Teacher Association, including at Birney Elementary and Savoy Elementary Schools. He ends the interview discussing his current political involvement and his growing family. Rev. James E. Coates was interviewed by Donna Coates on June 24, 1975. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part.