In 1965, Sidney was one of the first African Americans to graduate from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

After graduating from high school, being deeply conscious of the inequities facing African Americans, Sidney wrote poetry reflecting his views about the challenges faced by his people.

Sidney entered Harvard Law School in 1987, graduating in 1990 with several honors.

In 2004, Sidney was appointed magistrate of 36th District Court in Detroit where he was held in high esteem.

Throughout his life, Sidney had come to know numerous distinguished people.