Mission
The mission of the TONE Foundation is to build strong minds, strong bodies, and stronger communities by providing educational enrichment, mentorship, and athletic development programs that teach life skills, nurture growth, and empower youth to achieve excellence in academics, athletics, and personal character. Through initiatives such as our basketball clinic and basketball tournament, the Foundation seeks to create sustainable opportunities that promote leadership, integrity, and lifelong success while empowering communities.
Darryl "TONE" Patterson II
Darryl Anthony "Tone" Patterson II
Empowering youth through coaching, mentoring, and guidance
He was an ambassador to his community—known for giving back through coaching, tutoring, and mentoring, particularly in organizing basketball clinics and tournaments. His efforts were focused on empowering communities, and young people trusted him because he showed up consistently, listened deeply, and held them accountable with love, embodying the principles of mentorship promoted by the Tone Foundation.
Founder’s Message
The TONE Foundation was born from love, loss, and a desire to turn something deeply personal into something meaningful for our community.
I founded the TONE Foundation in loving memory of my brother, Darryl Anthony “Tone” Patterson II. Tone was more than my brother. He was my friend, my support system, and someone I could always count on. He genuinely loved people, especially young people, and believed in the power of encouragement, mentorship, and showing up for others.
Tone understood that sometimes all a young person needs is someone who believes in them, listens, guides them, and reminds them their future is full of possibilities.
That belief became the heart of the TONE Foundation.
When I started this organization, I wanted to create more than a youth program. I wanted to build a place where young people feel safe, supported, valued, and empowered to become the best versions of themselves. A place where they can build confidence, learn essential life skills, discover their strengths, and know their circumstances do not determine their future.
Through mentorship, education, basketball, wellness, and community engagement, we are creating opportunities for Detroit youth to grow both on and off the court.
But our vision reaches beyond the young people we serve. We believe stronger communities are built when families, mentors, businesses, and neighbors come together to invest in one another.
Every child we encourage, every relationship we build, and every opportunity we create keeps Tone's spirit and legacy alive.
My hope is that the TONE Foundation becomes a lasting source of opportunity, encouragement, and positive change throughout Detroit — a place where young people know they matter and where our community grows stronger together.
To every parent, volunteer, mentor, donor, and community partner: thank you for believing in this vision. Your support helps us turn love into action and create a legacy that will continue for generations.
This Foundation may have started with my brother's name, but its future belongs to every life we have the opportunity to touch.
With gratitude and purpose,
Latoshia Patterson
Founder & Executive Director
TONE Foundation
Strong Minds • Strong Bodies • Stronger Communities
Stay in Touch
Connect with us for mentorship opportunities, learning experiences, and events like our basketball clinic and basketball tournament, all aimed at empowering communities through the Tone Foundation.
Contact Us
We welcome our community to engage in our basketball clinic and participate in our exciting basketball tournament. Through these events, we are dedicated to empowering communities and fostering mentorship opportunities, all supported by the Tone Foundation.
Hours
Mon | 04:00 pm – 06:30 pm | |
Tue | By Appointment | |
Wed | 04:00 pm – 06:30 pm | |
Thu | By Appointment | |
Fri | By Appointment | |
Sat | 12:00 pm – 02:00 pm | |
Sun | Closed |
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