Alum, former Miss USA Kenya Moore returns to Cass Tech with a donation to Detroit Public Schools Foundation
By Jahaira Maxwell-Myers and Ananda Irving CT Visionary
Cass Tech High School was founded in 1907, and has maintained a strong alumni association throughout the decades. The famous motto “#1 second to none” can be heard from just about every corner in the world. When alumni gain personal and financial successes and decide to give back, whether it be a donation, appearance or internship, it is always appreciated by the administration and the student body.
The alumni are big supporters and hold a significant position throughout the school.
On Oct. 9, Cass Tech alumna Kenya Moore visited Cass to attend a special presentation in the Grand Theater to honor and show the gratitude for her generous donation.
“I’m so proud to be back in the building, well not this exact building because I was apart of the original Cass Tech, one of the original babies,” said Moore. “I walked the halls that Diana Ross walked and Lily Tomlin and David Allen Grier. Some may not even know who those people are but I trust that you will learn who they are because they are legendary. And I am happy to be back here on this platform to say I’m walking behind those people as well. ”
Some notable alumni present were as Judge Craig Storm and Ada Nicole Smith (Alumni Association Chairperson). Also present, was legendary boxer Tommy “Hitman” Hearns. Moore’s cousin Shawn Blanchard presented her with a proclamation from the mayor’s office, where he works.
Moore donated $20,000 to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, Moore won the Miss USA title in 1993 and finished in the top six of the 1993 Miss Universe pageant.
Moore has achieved success in film and production; as founder of Moore Vision Media, an independent movie production and home-video distribution company. She also founded the Kenya Moore Foundation, a charity which awards scholarships to underprivileged girls from her high school alma mater, Cass Tech.
Moore is currently a cast member on the reality series “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and during last season’s reunion show, castmate NeNe Leakes challenged Moore to donate $20,000 to the charity of her choice. Moore, who was born and raised in Detroit, picked the Detroit Public School’s Foundation and later wrote the school system a check that will go toward the CT Performing Arts department.
