Janice Bryant Howroyd is a trailblazing figure in American business, best known for founding ActOne Group, the largest privately held, minority woman-owned staffing company in the U.S. Starting in 1978 with just a $900 loan from her mother, Janice built her empire from a small Los Angeles office by prioritizing deep client understanding and fostering trust. Her company now operates globally, and she holds the historic distinction of being the first African-American woman to establish and own a billion-dollar business, emphasizing workforce diversity and opportunity creation.

Her husband, Bernard Howroyd, co-founded AppleOne, a prominent staffing firm with over five decades of history. Bernard’s focus on operational excellence and treating employment as a partnership has helped complement Janice’s vision, creating a business ecosystem grounded in integrity and long-term relationships. Together, the Howroyds have expanded their influence across staffing, technology, and workforce solutions, firmly embedding family values alongside entrepreneurial success.

Janice and Bernard have two children, Katharyn and Brett, who have grown up witnessing the blend of discipline, service, and education that define their parents’ legacy. Janice is dedicated to mentoring and empowering her family, ensuring that lessons from her leadership journey extend beyond business to personal responsibility and opportunity. This family-centered approach underscores how she balances her high-level corporate role with the values that sustain her legacy.

Throughout her career, Janice Bryant Howroyd has received numerous honors recognizing her impact on business, education, and community development. Her net worth is estimated between $450 million and $620 million, reflecting decades of consistent leadership and global company growth. Committed to giving back, she supports initiatives in workforce empowerment and economic mobility, linking business success directly to community advancement and setting a powerful example for minority entrepreneurs nationwide.