Prestage conducted ample research on African Americans' role in the political process.

In 1977, she co-authored the anthology A Portrait of Marginality, which examines the political socialization of Black women.

She moved at a young age to Alexandria, Louisiana where she was baptized at the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.

In order to maintain segregation, the state legislature paid $375 per semester for Prestage to attend graduate school at the University of Iowa.

At her alma mater, Prestage pioneered many initiatives that brought prominent political science figures to Southern University.

In 2002, the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS) recognized Prestage as one of the founders of the organization.

She wanted to transform the political socialization of grade school students, so she worked with the National Defense Education Act Civics Institute (1967-1969) to enhance the role of teachers.

Results of her work showed that many Louisiana teachers were better prepared to educate their students about becoming productive citizens of society.