Janice Bryant Howroyd Biography: Leading Workforce Solutions in 2025
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- August 1, 2025
Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first African-American woman to build a billion-dollar company, founded The ActOne Group, a global leader in workforce solutions. Born on September 1, 1952, in Tarboro, North Carolina, she transformed a $1,500 investment into a $3.4 billion enterprise. This biography explores her early life, career highlights, struggles, controversies, personal life, social media presence, philanthropy, and lesser-known facts, highlighting her 2025 influence.
About Janice Bryant Howroyd
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janice Bryant Howroyd |
| Born | September 1, 1952, Tarboro, North Carolina, USA |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Author, CEO of The ActOne Group |
| Notable Work | The ActOne Group, The Art of Work, Acting Up |
| Marital Status | Married to Bernard Howroyd (1983–present) |
| Children | Two: Katharyn, Brett |
| Net Worth | $420 million (2025, Forbes estimate) |
| Education | B.A. English, North Carolina A&T State University; Doctorate in Humanities, NC A&T |
Janice Bryant Howroyd’s Early Life
Tarboro Upbringing
Born in Tarboro, North Carolina, Janice Bryant Howroyd grew up as the fourth of 11 children. Her parents instilled discipline and faith, shaping her work ethic. As a teen, she was among the first African-American students to desegregate her high school, facing racism but staying determined, per Wikipedia.
College and Early Career
Howroyd earned a full scholarship to North Carolina A&T State University, graduating with a B.A. in English. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles, working as a temporary secretary at Billboard magazine, where her brother-in-law introduced her to business and diversity, per BlackPast.
Struggles and Down Phases
Facing Racism in School
During high school desegregation, Janice Bryant Howroyd endured racist remarks from teachers and peers, including a teacher who claimed African Americans were only suited for slave labor. She chose to stay, proving her resilience, per Encyclopedia.com.
Starting with Limited Resources
In 1978, Howroyd launched The ActOne Group with just $1,500, including a $900 loan from her mother. Without a fax machine or office equipment, she faced skepticism from banks and competitors but relied on word-of-mouth to grow, per Los Angeles Times.
Janice Bryant Howroyd’s Career Highlights
Founding The ActOne Group
In 1978, Janice Bryant Howroyd started The ActOne Group in a small Beverly Hills office, focusing on employment services. By 2003, it generated $483 million, and by 2025, it serves 17,000 clients across 33 countries with $3.4 billion in revenue, per Forbes.
Breaking Barriers
In 2014, Black Enterprise named Howroyd the first African-American woman to own a billion-dollar company. Her brands, including AppleOne and A-Check Global, prioritize placing applicants in the right jobs, earning her BET’s first Entrepreneur of the Year award, per IMDb.
2025 Influence
In 2025, Howroyd leads The ActOne Group, integrating AI-driven hiring solutions. She speaks at global forums like CES, advocating for diversity in tech, and mentors via her podcast Ask JBH, per LinkedIn.
Personal Life
Howroyd lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Bernard, married since 1983. Their daughter, Katharyn, leads ActOne’s branding, and son, Brett, is president of AppleOne. She enjoys family time and mentoring young entrepreneurs, per GoGirl.
Controversies
Limited Public Disputes
Janice Bryant Howroyd has largely avoided major controversies. Some X users, like @BizEthics, have questioned the staffing industry’s reliance on temporary workers, but Howroyd emphasizes fair placements and training, addressing concerns through transparency, per Black EOE Journal.
Industry Criticism
In 2020, critics on X, like @WorkforceWatch, raised concerns about gig economy practices in staffing firms. Howroyd’s focus on “keeping humanity in HR” countered these critiques, with no direct allegations against her, per HBR.
Social Media Presence
Howroyd engages modestly online. Her LinkedIn profile (500+ connections) shares leadership insights, like a 2025 AI hiring post, earning 1,000+ reactions. The ActOne Group’s X account (@ActOneGroup) promotes her initiatives, gaining 2,000+ reactions, per LinkedIn.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Desegregation Pioneer: One of the first Black students to integrate her high school.
- Billboard Start: Began as a secretary, networking with Hollywood executives.
- $1,500 Startup: Launched ActOne with minimal funds and no fax machine.
- Obama Appointee: Served on the President’s HBCU Board from 2016.
- Podcast Host: Runs Ask JBH, mentoring entrepreneurs globally.
- Two Books: Authored The Art of Work (2009) and Acting Up (2019).
- Full Scholarship: Earned a full ride to North Carolina A&T.
- Faith-Driven: Credits daily prayer for her business success.
Philanthropy
Janice Bryant Howroyd supports STEM education for women and minorities, funding scholarships at North Carolina A&T and Harvard. She serves on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board and backs the National Urban League, donating millions to education and empowerment, per WBENC.
Current Status and Influence
In 2025, Janice Bryant Howroyd drives The ActOne Group’s global expansion, serving 33 countries. Her Ask JBH podcast mentors entrepreneurs, and her board roles at Harvard and USC promote diversity. Forbes ranks her #78 among America’s Richest Self-Made Women, per Forbes.
Conclusion
This Janice Bryant Howroyd biography traces her rise from a segregated North Carolina town to a billion-dollar business pioneer. Overcoming racism and financial hurdles, Janice Bryant Howroyd built The ActOne Group into a global leader. Her philanthropy and mentorship empower communities. In 2025, she continues to shape workforce solutions and inspire with resilience and vision.
