Ms. Coates is resident of Ward 8 and a founding great grandparent at Rocketship Rise Academy. She is no stranger to hard work, growing up she watched her father work daily at Freedmen’s Hospital, later to become Howard University Hospital. A dedicated member of Rise Academy’s Parent Leadership Team  Ms. Coates has never missed a meeting and spent the school’s inaugural year working with community groups like the Ward 7 Education Council, DDOT to improve traffic safety around the school and was greatly instrumental to Rocketship joining mobilization efforts in support of DC’s second Rocketship school; Legacy Prep at the Public Space Commission.

Ms. Coates believes that education is the key to success that will open any door for her Rocketeer.