A stellar example of perseverance, Janice Bryant Howroyd is founder and CEO of The Act 1 Group Inc., based in Torrance, California. The global firm was launched in 1978 and provides employment, workforce management and procurement solutions to some 17,000 Fortune 500 companies, local and mid-market companies and government agencies in 19 countries.

In addition to being the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company, Janice was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of advisors for the White House initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Motivated by disparities of community economics and molded by the supportive home environment of her own youth, Janice encourages employees and fellow-entrepreneurs alike to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and relish challenges. She aids supplier diversity by investing in women-owned businesses and has been named a Woman of Distinction by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Posted in: Honorees 2020/2021