While California is the 5th largest economy in the world, Latinx and Black tech workers are significantly underrepresented. Research shows that inequitable access to STEM courses, as well as educator bias about students, all play a role. Research also shows that while all students form stronger connections and learn better when they have teachers of color, there is a shortage of them, and low-income and students of color are most likely to be assigned to underprepared STEM teachers. In this session, we’ll examine the critical role of teacher preparation programs in preparing STEM teachers that reflect California’s diversity by: (1) looking at STEM through an equity lens, (2) exploring equity gaps in access to teacher prep programs and the disparate impact on student achievement, and (3) discussing bright spots and promising work by participants to help inform Ed Trust-West’s upcoming research on STEM teacher preparation and STEM teachers of color.