Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd is an American entrepreneur, businesswoman, and author best known as the founder and CEO of The ActOne Group — the largest privately held, minority-woman-owned personnel staffing company in the United States. A trailblazer in American business history, she became the first African-American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company, a milestone that has inspired countless entrepreneurs and leaders around the world.

Howroyd launched ActOne Group in 1978 with little more than a fax machine and a telephone, growing the company from a single office into a global enterprise operating across multiple continents and employing tens of thousands of workers. Her philosophy centers on the belief that business success and human dignity are not in conflict — that companies can achieve exceptional results while treating every individual with respect and purpose.

A sought-after speaker, author, and advisor, Janice Bryant Howroyd brings her experience building a billion-dollar empire to audiences hungry for practical wisdom on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal excellence. Her programs through Nightingale-Conant distill decades of hard-won business insight into actionable strategies for anyone ready to build a life and career on their own terms.