Charlotte, NC (September 11, 2026) – ForwardStack, the career readiness platform developed by leadership and transition consultancy 7 Step Transition, announced its public launch today. The platform has signed partnerships with Florida A&M University, Hampton University, and Charlotte-based nonprofit Connecting The Gap, and students at Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University also use the platform as part of career readiness and professional development initiatives. The app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

ForwardStack was built to close the gap between earning a degree and being ready for what comes after it. Students today do the work in the classroom but often graduate without a structured path from education to execution. Many can pass courses but struggle to articulate their strengths, prepare for interviews, navigate career fairs, or make strategic decisions about their next step. ForwardStack addresses that readiness gap directly through guided modules, real-world simulations, and structured practice in communication, strategic thinking, and AI readiness.

“Our students have never lacked talent. What too many of them have lacked is a structured path from potential to readiness,” said Latoya Counts, founder of ForwardStack and 7 Step Transition. “Launching alongside institutions that have been developing exceptional talent for generations is intentional. These partnerships mean thousands of students will walk into interviews, career fairs, and first jobs already knowing how to communicate their value.”

Through the platform’s Learn, Apply, Grow framework, students move through guided development modules, then complete reflections, prompts, and simulations that connect learning to real decisions, building professional capability rather than simply consuming content. ForwardStack does not replace campus career services. It extends them by giving career centers and student success teams real-time visibility into student readiness gaps and a scalable way to support students well before graduation.

The platform also includes a growing suite of career tools designed for students, recent graduates, career changers, and working professionals alike. Users can compare their résumé against a specific job using the Resume Matching Tool, practice and strengthen how they introduce themselves using the Elevator Pitch Tool, and prepare for real opportunities through the Interview Practice Lab. Together, the tools help users move beyond simply applying for opportunities to understanding how to position their experience, communicate their strengths, and show up prepared.

“We are building ForwardStack so people have an opportunity to practice, understand where their gaps are, and strengthen those areas before they walk into an interview, career fair, or workplace,” said Counts. “Career readiness shouldn’t begin the night before an interview.”

ForwardStack’s reach extends beyond college students. The platform serves high school students, college students, recent graduates, working professionals, and career changers, as well as employers, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, and workforce development programs.

For its institutional partners, ForwardStack supports outcomes schools and workforce organizations already prioritize, including internship and job preparation, post-graduation placement, employer and workforce partnerships, and positioning for funding and workforce development opportunities.

ForwardStack is available now on the App Store and Google Play. Institutions, employers, and workforce organizations can schedule a demo at forwardstack.app. For appearances, media inquiries, and interview requests, please contact Jameka Whitten at 704.965.3297 or jameka@jswmediagroup.com.

About ForwardStack

ForwardStack is a career readiness platform that helps students and professionals move from potential to readiness through guided development, simulation-based practice, and real-world application. Developed by 7 Step Transition, ForwardStack is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Learn more at forwardstack.app.

About 7 Step Transition

Founded by Latoya Counts, 7 Step Transition brings more than 15 years of experience in leadership development, training, analytics, coaching, and consulting. The Charlotte-based firm equips individuals and organizations to navigate transitions with clarity, confidence, and strategy. Learn more at 7steptransition.com.