Title: Mayor Pro Tempore

Municipality: City of Raleigh

Position Interested In: Large City Seat - Raleigh

Q&A's:

Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030?

North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country. Raleigh and the Triangle are also experiencing disruptive growth as well. Our planning and regional partnership in Raleigh and the surrounding area are helping us plan for and steward this growth in ways that will benefit all residents - new and old. I hope that my time in leadership on the NCLM Board will help facilitate partnership development between municipalities and sectors.

Each sector has its own strengths - but working together they have the ability to improve our roadways, streams, and housing. It’s challenging to balance the priorities that appear to compete with one another, but conversations with different points of view can offer moments of inventive ideas. It’s important to keep the conversations going, to find our common goals and visions, and work together.

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Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest?

I was elected as one of two at-large Raleigh City Council members in 2022. Prior to that, I was appointed to represent District D on the Council in 2020. I serve as vice-chair of the Safe, Vibrant & Healthy Neighborhoods Committee and am a member of the Economic Development & Innovation Committee. I currently serve as Mayor Pro Tem.

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Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities?

I am a licensed attorney in the State of North Carolina and in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina Federal Court. I am also a licensed Real Estate agent. I earned my undergraduate degree in sociology and master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and psychology, both from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I earned my Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

I was born and raised in Raleigh. I have volunteered for the Rex Hospital Open, SAS Championship, Hopscotch Music Festival, Oak City Marathon, and many other events in the area. I also am an advisory board member for the following organizations: Clarence Lightner Y Achievers within the Triangle Area YMCA, Preparing to Soar Program in Johnston County, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Ethics Bowl, My Brother’s Keeper of Wake County, and Friends of the NC State Science Museum Board. In addition, I am a commissioner on the North Carolina Commission for Racial and Ethnic Disparities.

I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and host a Saturday morning weekly radio talk show called “The Art of Listening with Stormie Forte” that airs on 92.1 FM.

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Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees? 

• CityVision Annual Conference
  

• Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days

• Regional Meetings

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