PHNTX's Marquesse Banks, Completes Nine Month Leadership Program

Marquesse Banks MPH, CHES of the Prism Health North Texas has successfully completed the nine-month LGBT Leadership Institute, a program of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“Prism Health North Texas (PHNTX) is thrilled to have Marquesse represent our organization as a member of the LGBT Leadership Institute’s class of 2024,” said Januari Fox, Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement (PACE) for PHNTX. “Marquesse has quickly become an essential part of our department and his graduation from this program will increase the expertise and intention used to reach the community PHNTX serves.”

Members of the LGBT Leadership Institute participate in a nine-month program designed to provide valuable leadership skills development, such as strategic planning, change management, and conflict resolution. They also gain opportunities to meet and learn from experts in their fields, along with an historical view of the LGBTQ+ equality movement and community. Graduates of the program have each completed more than 50 hours of course instruction on a variety of topics with an emphasis on the impact by, or on, the LGBTQ+ community.

“The goal of the LGBT Leadership Institute is to fill the generational information gap that exists within and regarding the LGBTQ+ community,” said Lisa Howe who manages the Leadership Institute program and serves as Vice President of Membership & Programs for the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “Although there are a number of quality leadership programs in North Texas, none of them address topics specific to and the contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community. This program is the only one of its kind in the country, and we are proud to have it right here in North Texas.”

The LGBT Leadership Institute provides an inclusive and nurturing environment for a diverse cohort of individuals to develop skills and explore the critical issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Whether one identifies as LGBTQ or an Ally, graduates of the LGBT Leadership Institute can be confident in their ability to represent and articulate the issues facing LGBTQ+ community.”

Marquesse Banks is the Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement Programs Manager at Prism Health North Texas.  In this role, he oversees grant-funded, community engagement initiatives to enhance sexual health services and increase awareness of HIV prevention resources. Originally from Port Arthur, TX, he has been a DFW resident since 2014, moving here to earn his undergraduate degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington, then on to Lamar University for his Master’s in Public Health and earn the Health Education Specialist Certification (CHES).