As part of NCABL’s Off the Record Series, which will now feature NCABL members serving in elected office, we are proud to highlight Stormie Forte, Mayor Pro Tem of the Raleigh City Council.

A Raleigh native, Council Member Forte brings a dynamic blend of legal, governmental, and community-based experience to her leadership. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She is a licensed attorney in North Carolina and in federal courts across the state, as well as a certified mediator and rehabilitation counselor.

Professionally, Council Member Forte has built a multifaceted career spanning both public and private sectors. She is the principal of Obsidian Consulting Services, where she assists businesses with organizational strategy and development, and has worked as an Assistant Attorney General and Ombudsman for the North Carolina Department of Justice, helping to promote transparency and collaboration within the criminal justice system.

In addition to her legal and consulting work, she is deeply engaged in civic life. She serves on numerous boards and commissions, contributes to statewide initiatives addressing racial and ethnic disparities, and hosts a weekly radio show, The Art of Listening, reflecting her commitment to thoughtful engagement and meaningful dialogue.

Council Member Forte made history in 2020 as the first African American woman to serve on the Raleigh City Council, and she currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem after being elected to an at-large seat. Her policy priorities include affordable housing, economic opportunity, infrastructure, and ensuring that Raleigh’s growth benefits all residents.

Her leadership reflects a practical, solutions-oriented approach grounded in her experience as an attorney, mediator, and public servant. She embodies NCABL’s mission by using her legal training and platform in elected office to advance equity, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity.

We are proud to highlight Council Member Forte’s service and celebrate the meaningful impact NCABL members are making in elected office across North Carolina.

If you or someone you know is an NCABL member serving in elected office, we encourage you to share their information as we continue this spotlight series.

Please send a brief bio and headshot to info@ncabl.org with the subject line “NCABL Elected Officials Spotlight.”

Warm regards,
Kimberly A. Moore
President
North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers (NCABL)