Janice Bryant Howroyd, fondly known as JBH, is the first African American woman to establish a multi-billion-dollar company, the ActOne Group. The workforce solutions and staffing company engages some of the world’s best technologies and systems to support organizations of all sizes and provide jobs and careers for millions of workers across the globe. Her companies operate in over 32 countries, and her technologies serve over 50 languages. JBH leads from the disciplines of humanity and excellence instilled by her parents in her childhood. Growing up in a segregated educational system in the deep south, the values of DE&I, transparency, and accountability frame her leadership style, her public and media presentations, and the culture of her organization.
JBH is the recipient of Black Enterprise’s coveted 2022 Women of the Year award and is the first-ever BET Honors Entrepreneur of the Year. She has been a presidential appointee to several committees, including Barack Obama’s Presidential Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, an appointment to the Federal Communications Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE), and continues to serve on the ITAC (International Trade Advisory Committee).
She has guided the ActOne Group to a 2021 Silver Awarded Ecovadis Sustainable Corporation level and membership in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). She is also the author of two Amazon best-selling books: The Art of Work - How to Make Work, Work for You! and Acting Up: Winning in Business and Life Using Down-Home Wisdom.
JBH partners with some of the world’s best-known brands in business and academics to support education and business initiatives that advance diverse populations and is a generous donor to schools and organizations that work to create inclusive opportunities for all.
She is a sought-after and inspiring speaker at universities, organizations, and corporations on the subjects of economic inclusion, personal and professional development, and how to start/grow businesses in a tech-fueled economy. She provides subject matter expertise on women’s issues, the workforce and the economy, business and entrepreneurship, and network and digital media. She also has one of the most motivational social media presences across all social platforms. JBH uses her presence as a voice and connector for humanity, saying, “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally!”
