Ms. Forté earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law. While attending law school, Ms. Forté served as a Staff Editor on the Texas Tech Administrative Law Journal; a Constitutional Law tutor; a student representative on the Committee for Diversity, Equity and Equal Opportunity; and the chapter president and regional parliamentarian for the Black Law Students Association.

Ms. Forté is licensed to practice law in Texas, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ms. Forté also holds a Certificate of General Insurance from the Insurance Institute of America.

Ms. Forté is active in Bar and community service activities. She serves on the board of directors of the J.L. Turner Legal Association, is a member of the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court (associate: 2009-2010), and volunteers with the Family Place.