Part of a series on nine local athletes being inducted into the African American Legacy Project’s Sports Legends Hall of Fame.

Kim Bates-Barnett is Toledo. A graduate of DeVilbiss High School, Mrs. Bates-Barnett went on to play volleyball at the University of Toledo, then spent the last 19 years as a teacher in the Toledo Public School system.

If there’s one thing Mrs. Bates-Barnett is more passionate about than her hometown, it’s family. But in her mind, there’s not much separating the two concepts of Toledo and family.

It’s why she values her role as a teacher and coach in the Toledo Public School system.

“Having the opportunity to give back, because I was once one of those kids,” Mrs. Bates-Barnett said. “... Being a teacher, I’m just so excited to be teaching the kids where I came up and where I grew up. It’s amazing. I feel blessed and honored to be able to give back.”

Mrs. Bates is one of nine inductees into the African American Legacy Project Sports Legends Hall of Fame. The class will be honored during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at the Premier Banquet Hall, with tickets available at $20 per person. The induction ceremony — which is free to the public — will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the African American Legacy Project, 1326 Collingwood Blvd.

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First Published June 16, 2018, 3:22 p.m.