The most famous people from every Detroit high school

By Layla McMurtrie on Sat, Jun 15, 2024 at 12:42 pm

Albert duce, Wikimedia Creative Commons

Detroit’s Cass Technical High School has produced many famous alumni.

For many of the high schools in Detroit — whether they are still running or closed down decades ago — there is a famous person. Some of these celebrities are internationally renowned and have left a lasting impact, while others enjoyed their fame in past decades or have a more niche following like sports or film. Nevertheless, Detroit is a star factory.

Read on for our picks for the most famous people to come from (almost) all of Detroit’s high schools.

Did we get it wrong or miss your school? If you know of a celeb who graduated there, send us an email so we can add them to our list!

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Page 1 of 2

Raph_PH - DRossLongleat010722 , Wikimedia Creative Commons

Cass Tech: Diana Ross

Detroiters know that Cass Tech births stars, from Big Sean to Jack White to the one and only Diana Ross, and more. The high school has produced many famous alumni, but Ross stands out as a multi-generational icon. As a teenager, she gained early recognition with the Supremes, one of Motown’s premier acts. The group’s chart-topping singles, such as “Where Did Our Love Go” and “Stop! In the Name of Love,” catapulted them to global fame. Ross’s influence extended beyond her music, breaking barriers as one of the first Black women to achieve mainstream success in the entertainment industry.

1 of 31

Shutterstock

Detroit School of Arts: Aaliyah

Though born in Brooklyn, New York, the Princess of R&B found her musical roots in Detroit. She soared to stardom with her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number at 15, later graduating from Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts in 1997, which is now known as Detroit School of Arts. Her smooth R&B tracks, produced by legends Timberland and Missy Elliot, alongside sensual hip-hop choreography, put Aaliyah on the map as one of the most influential artists of the ’90s. On August 25, 2001, the singer tragically lost her life after a fatal plane crash at the age of 22.

2 of 31

Mark Reinstein /MediaPunch

Northern Senior: Aretha Franklin

Emerging from Detroit’s gospel scene, the Queen of Soul left an undeniable mark on music history with timeless hits like “Respect” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Beyond her music, which earned her 18 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she was an advocate for civil rights and Indigenous communities. Franklin attended Northern Senior High School on Detroit’s north end, which was founded in 1916 and closed in the early 2000s. The school, which Motown icon Smokey Robinson also attended, now houses the Detroit International Academy for Women.

3 of 31

Courtesy photo

Davis Aerospace Tech: J Dilla

Renowned as a groundbreaking figure in hip-hop production, J Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, spent much of his life in Detroit. His innovative, off-kilter beats defined an era of hip-hop, including collaborations with icons such as Slum Village, the Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, and Common. The 2021 biography Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm details how his parents initially enrolled him at Davis, where students are taught aviation skills, despite his desire to join his friends in Slum Village at Pershing. Eventually, he left Davis and made his way to Pershing, where he graduated.

4 of 31

Courtesy of El Club

Cooley: Black Milk

Curtis Cross, also known as Black Milk, has been rapping for almost two decades, collaborating with artists such as Danny Brown, J Dilla, Jack White, and RZA. In his early days, he went to Cooley High School, which ceased operations in 2010.

5 of 31

Shutterstock

Central: Anita Baker

With many gold and platinum records as well as Grammy Awards, Anita Baker has won dozens of accolades for her contemporary R&B music. The star attended the city’s oldest public high school, Central High School, which was founded in 1858.

6 of 31

Courtesy of MOCAD

Southeastern: Dej Loaf

Deja Trimble, also known as Dej Loaf, is a rapper hailing from Detroit who rose to stardom after releasing hit singles like “Try Me” and “Back Up” with Big Sean. She attended Southeastern High School, which is now a school that focuses on technology and law.

7 of 31

Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

Northwestern: John Conyers

Hailing from Highland Park, John Conyers became the longest-serving Black congressman. A co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Conyers introduced a bill to study reparations for slavery in 1989 which he continued to do every year for three decades, though his legacy was tainted by sexual harassment allegations, resulting in his resignation from the U.S. House in 2017. Conyers is among notable alumni of Northwestern High School, which is now Detroit Collegiate Preparatory Academy. John Witherspoon, known for The Boondocks, also attended Northwestern.

8 of 31

Kahn Santori Davison

Detroit City: Kash Doll

Arkeisha Knight, better known as the Kash Doll, used to perform locally, but then blew up after posting Instagram videos of her rapping. Her popular singles include “Ice Me Out” and “For Everybody.” The rapper attended Detroit City High School, which closed in 2012 and was demolished in 2016.

9 of 31

Shutterstock

Mumford: Jerry Bruckheimer

Film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer — who is credited for massive films like Bad Boys, Top Gun, Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Hawk Down, and more — grew up in Detroit. He graduated from Mumford High School in 1961.

10 of 31

Screengrab, YouTube

Henry Ford: Monica Conyers

Monica Conyers, who attended Henry Ford High School, was elected to Detroit City Council in 2005. She also helped troubled teens and was a vice administrator for Detroit Public Schools. In 2009, Conyers went to prison for bribery, and was released in 2013.

11 of 31

Kahn Santori Davison

Frank Cody: Tee Grizzley

Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley, born Terry Sanchez Wallace Jr., rose to fame after being released from prison in 2016 and dropping his most popular song, the viral hit “First Day Out.”

12 of 31

Shutterstock

Southwestern: Ben Carson

Ben Carson is a politician, public servant, author, and retired neurosurgeon. After unsuccessfully running for president of the United States, he later joined the administration of his one-time rival Donald Trump, serving as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Carson attended Southwestern High School, which ceased operations in 2012.

13 of 31

Courtesy of the Blind Pig

Pershing: Tim Meadows

If you have seen the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls, you probably remember the sarcastic and oddly humorous Principal Duvall portrayed by Tim Meadows, who was also one of the longest tenured cast members on Saturday Night Live. Before the fame though, Meadows was raised in Detroit and went to Pershing High School before studying radio and TV broadcasting at Wayne State.

14 of 31

Timothy M. Moore / Wikimedia Commons

Osborn: Proof

Besides being one of Eminem’s good friends and hype man, Proof was also a member of the group D12. In 2006, Proof was gunned down after an altercation over a game of pool. Alongside Proof, rapper Esham also attended Osborn High School.

15 of 31

Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Northeastern: Berry Gordy Jr.

Born in Detroit, Berry Gordy Jr. was the founder of Motown Records, one of the most successful and influential record labels in the history of American music. Gordy’s contributions to the music industry revolutionized popular music and helped to promote Black artists on a global scale. The producer, who is currently 94 years old and living in Los Angeles, went to Northeastern High School, which closed in 1982.

16 of 31

Kahn Santori Davison

Denby: 42 Dugg

Detroit rapper 42 Dugg, born Dion Marquise Hayes, is known for his work with Lil Baby and Yo Gotti. He attended Denby High School, but later dropped out.

17 of 31

Shutterstock

U of D Jesuit: Sam Richardson

American actor and comedian Sam Richardson is known for his roles in Veep and Ted Lasso. He also co-created and co-starred in the Comedy Central series Detroiters alongside Tim Robinson. Richardson went to the University of Detroit Jesuit all-boys high school, which was founded in 1877. (Robinson went to Clarkston High School.)

18 of 31

Shutterstock

Mackenzie: Tom Skerritt

Tom Skerritt has starred in 40 films and over 200 television episodes. The Detroit Mackenzie High School graduate and Wayne State University attendee’s career has included memorable roles in M*A*S*H, Alien, Top Gun, and more. Mackenzie High School ceased operations in 2007.

19 of 31

Wikimedia Commons, lam_chihang

Martin Luther King Jr. Senior: George Gervin

George Gervin, nicknamed “the Iceman,” is a former basketball player who became one of the NBA’s greatest scoring guards of all time and a five-time All-NBA first team selection. He went to Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit before heading to Eastern Michigan University for college. He went on to play for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.

20 of 31