Our History

Prism was founded in October of 2012 as a collaboration between Time Out Youth and The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte. The original coordinators of Prism were Mel Hartsell and Donnell Beaty.

The first seeds were sewn when Time Out Youth pulled representatives from college LGBTQ groups together to discuss our shared goals. Eventually, we decided that the group should be open to all LGBTQ young adults.

The goal was to provide support to young adults aging out of Time Out Youth and entering the adult LGBTQ world. We met at the LGBT Community Center, then at the NC Music Factory.

From the beginning, Prism has been a place where intersectional activism and conversations, as well as social support, are combined to create a positive environment for all.

Prism moved with the LGBT Center of Charlotte from their location at the Music Factory to the North Davidson Arts District (NODA).

In September 2013, Prism held the first Trans Closet in Charlotte. We turned a huge event space in the bottom floor of the LGBT Center into a retail location. We had collected thousands of pieces of clothing and accessories from individuals and retail partners. The event was a success and we continued to make appointments for people who needed clothing, usually due to gender-related needs.

In 2014, the Charlotte readership of QNotes voted Prism the "Best Social/Support Group" in the "Best of Charlotte" issue.

In early 2015, the LGBT Center of Charlotte left the NODA building, and Prism was able to meet at Time Out Youth's building for three months. In April 2015, Prism began meeting at the Children and Family Services Building. We continue to grow and seek out new opportunities to serve and get involved in the community.