Our Alumni

129 Registered Alumni

The graduates of Bates Academy represent the very best of Detroit. Judges, professors, entertainers, journalists, educators, and leaders — each carrying forward the tradition of excellence that defines our school.

Notable Alumni

A few of the many distinguished graduates who have carried the Bates legacy into the world.

Diarra Kilpatrick

Entertainment

Actress, Writer & Producer

Creator and star of BET+'s "Diarra from Detroit." Emmy-nominated for "American Koko." Appeared in HBO's "Perry Mason." Got the acting bug at Bates playing Dorothy in The Wiz in 4th grade. Went on to Detroit Country Day School and NYU Tisch.

Judge Aliyah Sabree

Law

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge

Appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Wayne County Circuit Court. Previously served as Chief Judge Pro Tem at 36th District Court. Attended Youngstown State on a basketball scholarship, then MSU College of Law. Great-granddaughter of civil rights icon Daisy Elliott.

Judge Adam Sabree

Law

36th District Court Judge

Elected to the 36th District Court in 2022. Former Assistant Wayne County Corporation Counsel and Adjunct Professor at Wayne County Community College. Renaissance High School, Caldwell University, MSU Law. Great-grandchild of Daisy Elliott.

Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson

Psychology

Associate Professor, Columbia University

Clinical psychologist focused on racial discrimination and Black families. Creator of the EMBRace program. Named to The Root 100. PhD from University of Virginia with training at Yale.

Dr. Anthony Didlake Jr.

Science

Associate Professor of Meteorology, Penn State

NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at Goddard Space Flight Center. B.S. from Yale, PhD from University of Washington. Detroit native who has become a leading voice in atmospheric science research.

Rod Beard

Journalism

Senior Sports Editor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Academic Games Hall of Fame at Bates (1985–91) with 10 individual national titles. Spent 23+ years at The Detroit News covering the Pistons and Michigan basketball. Now Senior Sports Editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Victor Marsh Sr.

Government & Policy

CEO, The Victor Marsh Group

Legislative lobbyist and civic leader. Former Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor at the City of Detroit. Executive Director of the Coleman A. Young Foundation. University of Michigan honors graduate.

Charter Members Program

$100

One-time payment · Limited to first 100 members

The Charter Members Program is the cornerstone of the Bates Academy Alumni Association. As a Charter Member, you are among the founding supporters who formalized their commitment to preserving and advancing the Bates legacy.

Eligibility: ANY student, teacher, administrator, parent, or friend of Bates Academy is welcome to join.

Charter Member Benefits

Annual alumni picnic ticket included
Exclusive Bates alumni t-shirt
First access + discounts to all events
Directory listing in the alumni network

Class Representatives

Each graduating class has designated representatives who serve as liaisons between their classmates and the alumni association. They help organize reunions, share updates, and keep the bonds of Bates strong.

1980s

1980 - 1989

8 Class Reps

1990s

1990 - 1999

10 Class Reps

2000s

2000 - 2009

10 Class Reps

2010s

2010 - 2019

9 Class Reps

2020s

2020 - Present

2 Class Reps

Want to Be a Class Representative?

If your graduating class doesn't have a representative yet, or if you'd like to step into the role, we'd love to hear from you. Class reps play a vital role in keeping our alumni community connected.

Get in Touch