_edited.png)
A Commitment to Cass Tech
- Mar 15
- 6 min read
Founded by Cass Tech alumni, The Triangle Society is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting students through scholarships, direct support, and community initiatives that expand opportunity for Detroit’s next generation.
On Detroit’s Second Avenue, Cass Technical High School has long stood as one of the city’s most recognizable institutions — a place where generations of students have discovered their talents and pursued excellence across academics, the arts, athletics, and public service.
For many Detroit families, being accepted to Cass Tech represents more than simply attending a high school. It means stepping into a tradition known for discipline, talent, and the expectation that students will rise to their potential.
The school’s alumni include leaders across music, science, business, and public service — a reflection of the culture of excellence that has defined Cass Tech for generations.
Yet the school’s remarkable legacy has never existed in isolation. Behind every generation of Cass Tech students is a community of alumni and supporters committed to sustaining that tradition.
Among the organizations helping carry that legacy forward is The Triangle Society, a nonprofit founded by Cass Tech alumni dedicated to supporting students and strengthening the traditions that have shaped generations of Technicians.
A Vision from Alumni
The Triangle Society was founded by H. Terri Berry and Monique Bryant, proud members of the Cass Technical High School Class of 1986, who shared a vision for giving back to the school that helped shape their lives.
On May 1, 2016, that vision began to take form. What started as a conversation between two alumni soon grew into a broader effort to support Cass Tech students and preserve the traditions that have defined the school for generations.
Like many Cass Tech graduates, the founders carried with them a deep sense of gratitude for the school that helped shape their ambitions and opened doors to opportunity.
Over time, that commitment deepened even further. Both founders ultimately stepped away from their professional careers to dedicate themselves fully to supporting Cass Tech students and strengthening the programs that shaped their own experience.
Today, The Triangle Society operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Cass Tech through initiatives that strengthen academics, athletics, and fine arts.
As the organization developed, other accomplished alumni joined the effort, including Doretha Evans (Class of 1980), Dr. Richard James, Jr. (Class of 1985), Dr. Pamela Berry (Class of 1971), and Dr. Van Momon (Class of 1972). Together, they helped shape the organization into a growing network of alumni and supporters committed to expanding opportunities for Cass Tech students.
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
At the heart of The Triangle Society’s work is a recognition that excellence has long been a defining part of the Cass Tech experience.
In addition to organizing fundraising initiatives and scholarships, the founders remain closely connected to the daily life of the school. Working inside the building alongside faculty and administrators, they often help identify and respond to challenges students face throughout the academic year.
The organization partners with alumni, individuals, and corporate contributors to facilitate active giving that helps expand programs and resources for students both today and in the future.
Through these partnerships, The Triangle Society supports initiatives that enhance teaching, stimulate learning, and create opportunities for students across the school’s academic, athletic, and artistic programs — strengthening opportunities for Cass Tech students while investing in the future of Detroit itself.
“We support and encourage students and do everything necessary to help them succeed here at Cass Tech.”— Monique Bryant, Co-Founder, The Triangle Society
Creating Opportunities Through Giving
A key part of The Triangle Society’s work involves creating pathways for alumni, businesses, and community supporters to invest in the continued success of Cass Tech students.
Through its Legacy Campaign, supporters contribute to initiatives that enhance teaching, stimulate learning, and expand opportunities for Cass Tech students.
The organization also collaborates with businesses and corporate partners through Corporate Giving initiatives, which include both sponsorship partnerships and in-kind donations of goods and services. These contributions provide resources for student programs, school activities, and special events.
In addition, The Triangle Society encourages participation through its Community Matching Funding Campaign, allowing supporters to leverage employer matching programs that can double — or sometimes exceed — the value of individual donations.
Together, these efforts create a network of support that strengthens opportunities for Cass Tech students while deepening connections between the school, its alumni, and the broader Detroit community.
Supporting Students Through Key Initiatives
Beyond fundraising, The Triangle Society also leads initiatives designed to directly support Cass Tech students and enhance the school environment.
Scholarship programs help students pursue higher education by providing financial assistance to those demonstrating academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. The organization also supports campus improvement efforts and initiatives that strengthen the student experience across academics, athletics, and the arts.
In many cases, that support extends beyond traditional academic resources. The organization has helped students overcome unexpected challenges by connecting them with essential resources such as transportation, uniforms, and emergency assistance when families face sudden hardships.
For the students walking the halls of Cass Tech today, that support can make the difference between a setback and an opportunity — transforming talent into possibility.
Honoring Leadership Through the Master Chief Patton Scholarship
Among the initiatives supported by The Triangle Society is a scholarship that honors the extraordinary legacy of a Cass Tech graduate whose life reflects the power of the school’s influence.
The Master Chief Patton Scholarship recognizes Master Chief Petty Officer Charles L. Patton, a member of the Cass Tech Class of 1972 and a participant in the school’s JROTC program, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Major.
After graduating from Cass Tech, Patton enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, launching a distinguished career that would span three decades. During his service, he became the first African American in Coast Guard history to reach the senior-most enlisted leadership position, serving as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.
His career included receiving the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation’s highest peacetime award for performance.
Patton often credited Cass Tech and the discipline he developed in the JROTC program as the foundation that shaped his leadership. The values he embraced during those formative years — people, passion, and performance — became guiding principles throughout his life and career.
In recognition of that legacy, the Master Chief Patton Scholarship supports outstanding students in the Cass Tech JROTC program, helping them pursue their own paths of leadership and service.
A Community of Volunteers
Much of The Triangle Society’s work is carried forward by a network of volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and professional experience to advance the organization’s mission.
Known as Brand Ambassadors, these volunteers represent the backbone of the organization. Some serve as Legacy Ambassadors, helping raise awareness about Cass Tech’s history while engaging alumni, donors, and supporters.
Others contribute as Fundraising Ambassadors, assisting with event planning, communications, administrative support, and mission-driven programming.
Together, these volunteers reflect the spirit of involvement that has long been part of the Cass Tech community — individuals committed to supporting the school and the students who continue its legacy.
Celebrating a Century of Music
That commitment is also reflected in The Triangle Society’s involvement with the Cass Tech Harp & Vocal Centennial celebration, where members of the organization are participating on the planning committee to help support and celebrate the program’s historic milestone.
For a century, the Harp & Vocal Program has nurtured generations of young musicians while contributing to Detroit’s rich musical heritage. The Centennial celebration brings together alumni, educators, supporters, and community leaders to honor the program’s extraordinary impact on the city’s musical legacy.
The Triangle Society’s participation reflects its broader mission — supporting Cass Tech while honoring the programs that have shaped the school’s cultural impact.
The Centennial celebration also serves as a reminder that the strength of Cass Tech has always been rooted in the alumni and community members who continue to invest in its future.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
More than a century after Cass Technical High School first opened its doors on Detroit’s Second Avenue, its influence continues to shape the cultural and educational fabric of the city.
Through scholarships, initiatives, and community engagement, The Triangle Society helps ensure that future generations of Cass Tech students have the same opportunities to learn, lead, and succeed.
What began as a vision between two alumni has grown into a community effort dedicated to preserving the traditions that make Cass Tech extraordinary.
Their work reflects a legacy that began on Detroit’s Second Avenue and continues to shape the city today.
It All Started on Second Ave.
Shaped by It. Forever Connected.