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National Prism Alliances

Teach For America’s National Prism Alliances launched in 2014 to create brave spaces for LGBTQ+ teachers and students in every region. Learn more about our National and Regional Prism coalitions and how you can get involved.
A group of Teach For America alumni, staff, and partners march at New York Pride commemorating 50 years after Stonewall.
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About Prism

Prism is a coalition of corps members, TFA alumni, non-TFA educators, civic and religious leaders, youth advocates, policymakers, and community members who collaborate to share strategies and resources to support LGBTQ+ students, educators, and youth of all identities. 

The network operates nationally and as a local initiative in over thirty Teach For America regions. Members meet quarterly for ongoing learning and professional development on LGBTQ+ leadership and student support.

National Prism Board 2024 - 2025

Our national Prism board includes members representing diverse and multiple intersecting identities within the LGBTQ+ community. The board oversees the strategy and direction of Teach For America’s Prism alliances and our LGBTQ+ support and programming.

Regional Prism Coalitions

Nationally, more than half of Teach For America regions have Prism coalitions. Members of each coalition advocate for and engage people who identify as LGBTQ+ in ways that best match their local communities' unique needs and complexities. Importantly, coalitions partner with both national and regional external partners who are sometimes better positioned and equipped to support queer and transgender youth leadership and development, or BIPOC intersectionality. 

Regional Prism coalitions support LGBTQ+ students, educators, and community members through a variety of initiatives including:

  • Providing localized learning and professional development for corps members and alumni
  • Directing LGBTQ+ educators towards local resources regarding protections for LGBTQ+ employees 
  • Developing partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations and youth centers for collective action and support for LGBTQ+ students and educators in the region
  • Hosting regional summits where capacity exists

Join Prism

Join a Regional Prism Coalition

View a list of regions with Prism coalitions and contact the staff point person for more info.

Start a Regional Prism Coalition

Many regions are in the process of forming a Prism coalition and may still offer opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ+ initiatives, even if their local coalition is still emerging. Contact your region's alumni affairs team to learn how to get involved in starting a Prism coalition in your region.

Resources and Community Partners

Resources

Community Partners & Collaborators

Partners in the purpose of creating brave spaces for LGBTQ+ teachers and ultimately students in every region.